Page 125 of The Soldier

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I clear my voice and tap my glass. It’s useless.

“Oi! Shut the hell up.”

The room goes quiet. Eventually. Trying to silence a room full of SEALs, Marines, Army Rangers, et al., is not an easy thing.

Trina leans into my side.

“A toast to the birthday girl,” I say, lifting my glass and everyone shuffles around and grabs their drinks.

“Aww,” Trina says.

She’s a mushy romantic these days. Well, not always. She still calls me her toy soldier and sasses at me. But I love it.

I loveher.

We moved in together six weeks after I told her I loved her. To be honest we were living together almost from that moment on. I think we only spent three days apart.

Ryder put me on a boring corporate private security gig, and I couldn’t be happier.

Fine, I’m a little bored as fuck, but coming home to see my girl happy is worth it.

When she met my mom and dad it was one of the happiest days of my life. She shared what happened with her dad, and my mom hugged her, telling her she completely understood what she’d been through.

She’s watching Trina now with adoration in her eyes. They love her as much as I do, I swear it. They wouldn’t have flown in for her birthday if they didn’t. Liam, my brother, couldn’t make it, but he’ll be at the next event. I’ll make sure of it.

Trina’s mom and my parents are in on tonight’s surprise.

I met her mom also and it was emotional. She hasn’t moved on, but says she’s trying. That’s her journey. My focus is her daughter. She’s the one I love and care for. Never do I forget that. But I rang Mrs. Thomas a month ago to ask an important question. Without Trina’s dad around, I had to ask someone for her hand.

“To the most beautiful woman in the world,” I start.

“One of.” Aidan smirks and kisses Briar.

I roll my eyes and glance down at Trina who is grinning like she won the lottery.

Well, she has me, so yeah.

“Who uses ten times the amount of bodywash required and thinks eggs should be kept in the pantry. So wrong.”

“They boil faster.” She shakes her head at me, then we both grin.

Love makes you stupid.

“Happy twenty-eighth birthday, baby.” I lift my glass and everyone drinks.

I’m enjoying dragging this out. I’m almost certain Trina knows that I’m about to propose.

Her eyes dull a little as she sips and glances around the room.

She fucking knows.

I am enjoying this way too much.

While I want to make her my wife, hearing her say those three words were the magic moment for me.

Liar. You think I love you already.

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