Page 105 of Beautiful Crazy

“I think she said…”

One slow step at a time, Emmett makes his way toward me, watching me with an unreadable expression. If he has emotions going on inside him like I do, he’s doing a damn good job not showing them.

I guess I deserve that.

“I…I’m sorry, Emmett.”

He tilts his head, studying me. “What did you say?”

Like a nervous child, I wring my hands together and try to speak even though all the words want to come out of my mouth at the same time.

“I never should’ve left. I was just scared. You got upset about the loft being a mess and I was feeling so shitty and then I felt extra shitty because I felt guilty that I didn’t keep things clean for you and then, when I came to make it up to you, I heard a few ladies gossiping about you and when I heard what they were saying I…I freaked out. But I shouldn’t have freaked out. I should’ve known better. I shouldn’t have spent time worrying about the old Emmett when I’m in love with the Emmett you are now, and the Emmett you are now has never given me any reason to believe you would go back to being the old Emmett so marry me.”

Finally, I take a huge breath.

“Marry me because I’m in love with you and would do anything for you, and I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy and having tons of sex with you and having your children and just…” My body deflates as I look into Emmett’s eyes, showing him my desperation. “You’re my best friend, Emmett Fox. Marry me. Please.”

He stands before me, his hands still in his pockets, making me a nervous wreck. Sweat starts to form across my forehead and my chest tightens as his eyes roam down my body and back up to my face.

Why isn’t he saying anything?

Emmett tilts his head to one side, studying me, and then looks down at the ground. It’s killing me that he isn’t responding with the only obvious answer to my question, but then he finally raises a brow slightly and asks, “Do you have a ring?”

“Shit,” I mumble, squeezing my eyes closed. “I…I didn’t get one. I was in such a hurry to get here when my plane got in from Georgia. I just wanted to make sure Lacey and Hadley kept you here long enough for me to get to you, but I can…I can go get you one.” I hitch a thumb over my shoulder. “Or you can come pick one out, whatever you want.” I open the car door next to me, hoping he’ll hop in and come with me to whatever jewelry store he wants to go to. “I’m sorry, Emm, I didn’t think you would—"

He grabs my hand and clears his throat, shaking his head with a slightly amused expression. “It’s alright, Em. I’ve got one.” He pulls a small black box from his pocket and without letting go of my hand, lowers himself down on one knee.

“Emmett.” I immediately break down into sobs.

Rubbing his thumb gently across the outside of my hand he says, “You said your peace, now I get to say mine.”

All I can do is nod.

“I didn’t know where you were. I didn’t know why you left me, and it was the fucking worst week of my life with you not here.”

“I’m sorry, Emm—”

“But I’m grateful.”

What?

That’s not what I expected him to say.

“I think I needed this week to work through some things. To refocus myself on the things in my life that mean the most to me. To make some decisions that I needed to make for me, in hopes that if and when you returned, you might want to take a new journey with me.”

“I…” I shake my head. “I’ll go anywhere with you, Emmett.”

“You are my sunshine on a rainy day, Emily Chesney. You’re a breath of fresh air, unique in personality, compassionate through to your very soul, and you’re someone who makes me laugh consistently. You remind me not to take life too seriously. You make me want to be a better man for you, and for our future family, so I have two proposals for you, Em.”

“Okay.” I sniffle, nodding with enthusiasm and wiping away my tears.

“The first one is a business deal. I quit my job a few days ago.”

I gasp. “You did what?”

“Because I want to go into business with you.”

“Oh, my God!”

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