Page 55 of Paxton

“Can I come in?” she asks. “To talk, please,” she clarifies, like I might think she’s only here for some sort of physical release.

“Of course,” I say, closing the door behind her as she hurries inside. Relief is already pooling in my veins at just the sight of her, like having her here is righting some wrong in my life.

Even though she could be here to ask me to go back to being just friends.

I don’t think I’ll be able to do that. Not now. Maybe with time?—

“I’m so sorry,” she says as she turns to focus on me, tears already welling in her eyes. “I didn’t mean to panic like I did.”

“Hey,” I say, opening my arms. “Come here.”

She immediately falls into my embrace, and I tuck her against my chest, breathing deeply at how perfect she fits against me.

“I’m sorry,” I say before she continues. “I should’ve stayed and talked things out. I just couldn’t handle hearing your truth and I apologize?—”

“No,” she cuts me off this time, pulling out of my arms to look up at me. “You didn’t hear my truth.”

I swallow hard, bracing myself for her to let me down easy.

“You only saw my lies.”

I tilt my head.

“I know that doesn’t make any sense,” she groans, frustrated as she starts pacing. “Lies,” she continues. “Because my panic reaction isn’t how myheartreacted.”

“I’m having a hard time following that,” I admit.

“I get that,” she says. “I was having a hard time too. You see, Paxton, the first thought, instinct, andfeelingI had at seeing the ring wasyes. It was all the good things I’ve ever imagined between you and I, a life of happiness and fun and challenges and all thegood stuff. But then that immediately led to all the bad that could happen, a picture of you and me tearing each other apart thirty years down the road like I’ve seen so many times before. But that was fear talking, maybe a reasonable fear, but not one with any credibility when it comes to me and you.”

Hope builds in my chest as I hang onto the first portion of her explanation where she said her instinct wasyes.

“So,” she says, blowing out a breath and stopping in front of me. “I wanted to tell you before I found that ring. Wanted to tell you so many times before, but that fear held me back. The idea of hurting you orusand what we have has always held me back, always sent me running the opposite direction. The one I thought was safer.” She shrugs. “I’m done running.”

Monroe pulls something from her pocket, dropping to one knee in front of me, freezing me in utter shock.

“Paxton,” she says, holding up a small, plastic ring. “You are my best friend, the love of my life, the one constant I’ve always clung to. You’re my lifeline, the happiness in every single day, and I’ve loved you for far longer than you’ve ever known. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”

My mouth drops, a laugh rumbling from my chest.

“Seriously,” I say, tugging her to her feet.

Her smile drops. “I’ll get you a nicer ring,” she says. “This was all I could find at the store near the hotel?—”

I take the ring from her, sliding it on my pinky. It only fits halfway. “No, not that,” I say. “Are you sure? We don’t have to take this step right now,” I explain. “We don’teverhave to take it. I just want to be with you.”

Her eyes light up, and she throws her arms around my neck. I hold her to me, my heart knitting itself back together.

“I want you forever, Paxton,” she says, pulling away enough to brush her lips over mine. “I’m not asking you because I think you need to hear it or because I think you want this. I’m asking you forme. Because I love you. Because I’ve been in love with my best friend for a long time and did nothing about it and now, I’m done wasting time.”

I swallow the emotions down, lifting her off her feet and pressing my lips to hers in a dominating, claiming kiss.

“Yes,” I say against her mouth, walking her to the bed.

“Yes, what?” she asks, kissing me harder.

“Yes, I’ll marry you,” I clarify on a laugh, laying her on the bed, settling between her thighs. “It’s always been you,” I say, kissing down her neck.

“Blakely promised she wouldn’t let Lawson come back to the room until I gave her an all clear,” she says on a released breath, grabbing my shirt and tugging it over my head.

---