Page 103 of Somebody to Save
Smoothing my hands down his blue linen shirt, I stepped closer to him and tilted my head back to stare directly into his eyes. His own hands found my hips, and I licked my lips, preparing to pour my heart out to the man who’d just done the same for me.
“I love you so much,” I began and had to take a breath to hold back tears. I laughed at my own nonsense but trudged on. “This year has been so hard but also so beautiful. Caroline was telling me the other day how I’d handled everything so well, but I’m not entirely sure about that. I think you just held me so tightly that I couldn’t fall apart. You kept me standing when I wanted to do nothing more than crumple to the ground. I might be yours, but somehow, you’re mine, too, and I’m so thankful for you every day. And I can’t wait to spend our forever together.”
By the time I was done, we were both crying. But through the tears, he cupped my cheeks and pressed our lips together. It was the best kiss I ever had. It was better than our first, and I knew it’d be hard to beat because in it, I could feel our entire future.
FIFTY-ONE
HAPPY TEARS
Beckett
“Wait, did you just say ‘no’?”Addison asked, and I cringed at her surprised and slightly annoyed tone.
To be fair, it was the first time I’d ever declined her advances, and it would probably be the last time it ever happened, too. But I’d planned our entire evening, including our arrival, the proposal, and everything after. And as badly as I wanted to utilize that fluffy, white bed behind her and fuck her with only that ring on her finger, we had other plans. Too focused on making sure the day went smoothly, I’d foolishly forgotten to add an hour or two into our timeline for fiancé sex.
But I’d make up for it later.
“Unfortunately, we can’t right now. But hopefully the surprise I have downstairs will make up for it.”
She raised her brows incredulously and narrowed her eyes as she crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s very doubtful, but I’ll humor you for now. Only because I’m really curious.”
“That’s my girl,” I said and offered her my hand, which she begrudgingly took.
Fuck, I couldn’t believe she’d said yes. Although we’d talkedabout marriage and how we wanted to build a life together before, it was another thing entirely to actually ask with the intention of it happening sooner rather than later. To take the possibility and make them concrete plans.
I led her out into the hallway and across the second floor to the top of the stairs. That was when she heard the first sign of commotion below and stopped in her tracks.
A smile broke across my face, and her eyes widened.
“What—what’s happening down there?”
“Let’s see,” I said, tugging her along. She took a few cautious steps but followed me down. It wasn’t until we reached the last few steps that she gasped and let go of my hand.
“Bri?!” she exclaimed and sprinted across the entryway, tackling her best friend to the ground. They fell in a fit of laughter and tears.
“Well, hi to you, too,” Bri said around a laugh while trying to ease their fall.
Covering my smile with my hand, I leaned back against the railing and watched the two of them.
They finally stood, and Addison braced her hands on her best friend’s shoulders. “I can’t believe you’re here!” she said.
Bri glanced over at me and smiled. “Well, your new fiancé knew I had to be here if you were getting engaged. I couldn’t miss this. Now, let me see the ring.”
Addison flashed me an appreciative grin and stuck her hand out for Bri. The ring sparkled in the light, but it was my beautiful girl I was captivated by. It was hard not to stare when she exuded joy. She was the center of my world anyway.
“Come on,” Bri said. “There are a few other people here to see you…both of you.” With their hands interlocked, she began to lead Addison into the other room, where even more of our friends and family were waiting. But Addison stopped with a look back at me.
“I—one second,” she muttered, and Bri nodded as she continued around the corner. No matter how quiet they tried tobe, we could still hear the hushed whispers of our friends and family in the kitchen.
In two quick strides, Addison’s arms were around my neck, and her lips were on mine. I tightened my arms around her hips and lifted her slightly off the ground. Her smile made it harder to extend the kiss, and it made it impossible for me not to do the same.
She sighed in contentment and leaned back, dropping back to the floor.
“Just wanted to say a ‘thank you,’ and give you a little taste of what to expect later. You know, after we celebrate with all our friends and family that I can hear in there.” She motioned with her head back toward the kitchen, and I dragged my thumb across her lower lip.
Every day with her felt like I was living my wildest, best dream.
Reaching for her left hand, I lifted it to my mouth and kissed her palm then the ring on her finger.
