Page 92 of The Player + The Pact = I Do

“Yeah. I’d never felt such a connection before. I was pretty torn up about you not calling. I’m not letting you go again.”

“Just like that, this is how it is?” I ask.

“Yup. I’m here to stay. I’m not walking away from you. Not ever.”

There’s a lump of grief packed in my throat. “You can’t say that.”

“Icansay that.”

“But we’re going to fight.”

He laughs. “I know. But I’m not going to run. We’re going to work through whatever comes up. You’re the person I want to spend my life with. You’re the person I want to cook mac and cheese with. You’re the person I want to raise a family and grow old with. It’s all you, Jules.”

I reach for the railing to steady me. Everything he’s saying is exactly what I needed to hear, and I didn’t even know it.

“I do love you,” I mumble. “And I’m so sorry I ran out on you. I shouldn’t have done that. I was… scared. Scared that you weren’t who I thought you were.”

He slides an arm around my waist. “I know. And I know you’re going to get scared again and you might try and ditch me, but I won’t let you go. I’m here. I’m who you can rely on for the rest of your life.”

I exhale. Is it really that easy? He just turns up and promises me everything I’ve ever wanted in a relationship?

But no—none of this has been simple. What Leo’s done has taken a lot of effort, and bravery, and… love.

“I love you,” I say, my tone stronger now. “And… I think I’m going to need to take things in bite-sized pieces, but… I want to be with you too. Forever.”

“You do?”

“I absolutely do.”

EPILOGUE

A week later

Jules

I stare at the tray of rings in front of me and then glance across at Leo, who’s also staring at them. Then I look down at the ring I’m already wearing.

“I do like this ring,” I say, holding out my hand.

“I know you do,” Leo says.

“Then why can’t I keep it?”

Leo really wants to buy me a new engagement ring. I keep telling him, there’s no need. The ring I already have is gorgeous. And huge.

“You absolutely can,” he replies. “But wouldn’t it be nice to have a new one as well? I didn’t spend long picking that out and it…” He winces and suddenly I get it. The ring I’m wearing is all about Caroline.

“You want this ring to be about you and me and not yourpast?”

He turns and smiles. I brush the corner of his mouth with my thumb. “You always know what I’m thinking.”

“I like this one,” I say, pointing to the smallest solitaire on the tray.

Leo rolls his eyes. “I like this one.” It’s the biggest.

“Leo,” I say. “I work in a hotel. I want to be able to wear my ring every day. I can’t wear that every day.”

Leo glances up at the assistant helping us, as if she’s going to tell us what to do.

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