Page 166 of Messy Strokes (Wrecked Roommates)

“Why isn’t there any furniture in this house?”

“Because you haven’t bought any yet.”

“Are you…?” I bite my lip and scan the open floor plan again. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“Dove said you’d like it.”

“Dove saw it?”

“When the last house fell through, I didn’t want to get your hopes up, so I did the shopping on my own. I found this one, and figured getting Dove’s opinion might be a good idea. She thought you’d like it.”

“Milo, I love it,” I whisper.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. And I love you too.” Wrapping my arms around him, I nuzzle against his chest again, my cheek pressed against the thin layer of cloth covering where he had my name permanently etched into his skin a couple of months ago. Well, not exactly my name. Only my initial, ‘M.’ It’s where the north arrow points on his compass. He also added a ‘P’ to the East but decided to leave the South and West arrows blank. For now. When I asked him why, he said he planned on using them for our future children. It melted my heart even more.

I squeeze him as tight as I can and look around the gorgeous house all over again. “This is amazing. Seriously.”

“So it’s a good surprise?”

“Duh. This is––”

He unwraps my arms from around him and slides down to one knee. “How ‘bout this one?”

I cover my mouth and blink back tears. This can’t be happening. I was already on cloud nine because of the house.

There’s no way…

“Milo,” I choke out.

“I love you, Madelyn Walker. I love your fire. Your passion. I love how you correct my shitty math. And how you’re raising our daughter to be a spitfire just like you. I love the way you support me and are willing to fight for me. I love you. Will you marry me?”

Collapsing next to him on the cool wood floor, I grab his face and press my lips to his. Hell, I’m not sure I’d be able to say a single word, even if I tried. But I don’t need to. Because he knows me. And he knows I’d be a fool to say no. To this life. This house.

Nope.

Instead, I’m gonna grab onto it with both hands.

And there isn’t a chance in hell I’ll ever let him go.

“Yes.”

Epilogue

Part Two - Maddie

“Have they called yet?” Milo asks as he sets down a load of groceries onto the kitchen table.

With Penny on my lap in the family room, and my phone taunting me from the coffee table, I shake my head numbly. “Not yet.”

Milo walks over to us, groceries forgotten as he drops kisses to Penny’s forehead and mine.

“How are you feeling?” he asks.

My smile is weak at best as I look up at him. “Stressed.”

“She’s mine, Mads.” He sits down on the coffee table, his knees bumping against my own. “It doesn’t matter what they tell you on the phone. She’ll still be mine.”

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