Page 84 of The Overdue Kiss

Instead of responding, he crawls across the wrapping paper for me. He yanks me into his lap and bundles me up into his arms like he never wants to let me go. His lips land on mine, surprising me at their intensity.

I pull back and place a hand on his chest, laughing at his sad expression. “Hold on. You never said if you like it.”

“I thought actions spoke louder than words?” he says, nuzzling my neck. “But let’s just say, I know I’ll be having a dream about you in this jacket tonight. It’s a keeper. Do you like it?”

“I love it. But it looks like a designer brand. I hope you didn’t spend too much.”

“Don’t ever worry about money, okay? I’ll always provide whatever you need, as long as you are reasonable.”

I give him my best sad face. “No yacht in the Caribbean?”

He shakes his head. “Nope.”

“That’s okay. You are more than enough for me. And I know whatever we need, God will provide the rest. I learned a lot about His timing this year and that His plan is always better.” I rest my head on his shoulder and snuggle into his embrace. “I mean, now I have you.”

He sighs into my hair like a contented purr. “On that note, I have a special present for you to open next.”

“Me again? I want you to open one of mine too.”

“After this one. I can’t wait another second.” He kisses my nose before sliding me from his lap.

“If it’s another book box, I can’t take it. I’m running out of bookshelves.”

“I’ll build you as many shelves as you need.”

I fan my cheeks. “Des, that might be the most swoon-worthy thing you’ve said to me. I have literal goosebumps.”

“It’s outside, so let me go grab it.”

“Outside?”

“No more questions.”

He peers behind the screen door blinds a few times while I question his sanity.

“Des? What are you staring at?” Nervous, I stand. Worst-case scenarios of whatever he has hidden outside run through my head.

“Why don’t you see for yourself?”

He slides the blinds along the track, and I nearly stumble onto the couch at the people standing on his deck. It takes a second for my mind to comprehend what’s going on.

“Oh look, the ‘gang’ is all here,” he says and wraps an arm over my shoulder. “I hope you don’t mind a few visitors just for a little bit. Thor and Clover wish they could be here, but they send their love from Scotland.”

Des’s biker group is all bundled up in their snow gear, holding large poster board signs with one word scrawled on each one. Chantelle kicks Jude in the leg, yelling at him until he flips his question mark right side up.

Will you marry me?

“Oh, Des...” The rest of the words jumble on my tongue, tears prickling my eyes. A lump of emotion swells in my throat as I look at him, at my future.

“Wait, before you answer...” He grabs both my hands and drops to one knee. “I want to do this properly.”

A strangled laugh and cry combination slips through my lips as I fight against the flood of tears threatening to escape. I manage a nod and dash the few stray teardrops off my cheeks, but I can’t hold them back once he starts speaking in Spanish.

“Maya, te quiero con todo mi corazón.”

Maya, I love you with all my heart.

“Desde que nos conocimos, supe que eras diferente.”

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