Page 109 of Pretty Black

“It was—a lot. I don’t think I can live in anything that big.”

“It was monstrous. Bigger than I thought.” He squeezed my hand.

“I think I’d get lost.”

He laughed and rolled his eyes, then his footsteps faltered and we stopped. He turned into me. “I don’t want to be that far from you.”

“Good point. We’d never see each other.” I grinned, stepping closer so we were chest to chest. “You’re not going to propose are you?”

Caspian lifted a brow. “You don’t want me to?”

“You don’t think it’s a little soon?” I asked purposefully not answering.

“I’m taking that non answer personally.” He narrowed his eyes playfully.

“And I’m taking yours personally!”

He opened his mouth to say something but hesitated. “I don’t think anything is too soon with you. I’ve known it was you, and no one else will ever do.”

I smiled in spite of myself. “You’re right.”

“But?” Caspian asked.

“I didn’t say but.” I pressed my face into his neck.

“You didn’t have to.” He wrapped his arms around my shoulders. “Is there one?”

I shook my head. “There isn’t. It’s always been you.”

“If I had a ring I’d be calling your bluff.”

“For you, it’s always yes.” I tilted my face towards his.

He nudged his nose into my forehead until I lifted my gaze. When it came to the way he looked at me I didn’t think my heart could be anymore full, but he were were, and I was near bursting again. Every glance made me feel more than the rest of my life combined.

I chased moments of it.

Moments of him.

Our lips met in a chorus of shared gasps.

My sunshine and my life line.

The melody to my life.

EPILOGUE

PRESENT DAY

Iris Rose

Caspian pulled his phone out while we were on the drive up to Big Bear. “It’s our lawyer. Want me to answer?”

“Yes,” I said, fear choking off anymore words. I didn’t know if I could handle anything else.

“Hello?” Caspian said putting it on speaker.

“I’m going to skip formalities and this conversation never happened,” Mr St. Clair said.