Page 95 of Mistletoe Misses
“Nothing and everything. I wish I’d never left you. I wish we could have had the last nine years together. I wish—”
“Carmen, I don’t care what we did or didn’t do then. It’s in the past, and don’t forget, I threw us away, too.”
My head shakes fast, sending the tears I hoped wouldn’t fall zig-zagging down my cheeks. “No, you didn’t. You had every right to be angry. I hurt you.”
“But despite what you meant to me, I didn’t fight for you, and that’s just as bad.”
“Maddox …”
“Do you love me?” he asks, and I wish he didn’t have to.
“So much it seems impossible.”
“Do you want to marry me?”
“Even more than I love you.”
His mouth slants into a grin, and I’d give anything for those lips to turn off the fears bombarding our moment. After everything we’ve been through in the last few weeks, they have no business creeping back in. As if reading my thoughts, he leans in and waits for me to meet him halfway. He lets me linger on his lips, giving more than he takes until I feel resettled and wholeagain. This man will forever have my heart for many reasons, but he always knows what I need without my having to ask.
“We found our way back to each other,” he says, a hand framing my cheek, and I lean into it, loving the way he holds me steady, builds me up, and treasures me in ways no one else ever could. “And we’ll spend the rest of our lives making up for lost time. That’s all that matters.”
With a nod, I blink back a gleam of tears—blissful ones this time. “Can you ask me that question now?”
“Which one?” He smirks, and I want to kiss it right off his face.
“You know.”
Lowering, he holds up the ring. “Carmen Delilah Bennett, will you make me your forever groupie, lyric tester, lover, father to your children, and devoted husband?”
“You’re so much more than that, Maddox. You’re my everything. Yes, I will marry you … tonight if I could.”
Smiling, he slides the ring onto my finger and rises to take me into his arms. As we sway, I hum our song, never feeling the words as much as I do now.
He soon draws back to press his lips to the ring on my finger. “This is more than a symbol of my commitment,” he says.
“Yeah?” I lean back and revel in the tender way he looks at me. He loves with his entire body, but his eyes most of all, and seeing that love pointed at me will never get old. “Tell me what it means to you, my love.”
His lips press to my knuckles almost as if he’s battling his emotions and can’t find the words. I hold him tight, hoping it sends the message that he can turn it loose, and if he needs it, I’ll support and steady him the same way he does for me.
“When I asked Nana how she loved after loss each time,” he begins, “her answer reminded me of us”
“That she loved each husband unconditionally and so much that it felt like they loved a lifetime’s worth.”
The most breathtaking love shimmers in his eyes as he continues to shatter me and put me back together with his sweet words.
“We’ve already loved enough for a lifetime, and nothing’s better than knowing we get to do it again. This ring was given to Nana by my grandfather, her first love, and I’ve wanted to see it on your finger since we were kids. You, Carmen Delilah Bennett, aremyfirst love.” He lowers to kiss my neck. “My only love.” Another press of his lips to my cheek, and I’m crying with him on his way to my lips. “And my last.”
Chapter 22
Maddox
Ihave one last surprise for you,” I say, as we walk toward Frankie’s restaurant. “You’re going to love it.”
“Does it happen to involve you taking me back to my apartment so we can celebrate right? Because I wouldlovethat.”
“Hmm.” Should have thought this plan through a little better and worked that in. “Unfortunately, that will have to wait until after this final stop.”
She lets out an adorable moan in protest before conceding. “Alright, but I’m going to hold you to it.”
