Page 101 of The Golden Goalie

“Why?”

“I need to make sure you’re safe.”

He bites back a smile. “Uhhh, how exactly are you going to do that?”

“I don’t know,” I snap. “I just need to be there to make sure all you guys don’t get hurt.” His lips twitch. “And yes, I know there’s not a single thing I can do at nine months pregnant to help you guys out.”

“But we appreciate the offer,” he says, barely keeping back a laugh.

I shake my head, and he takes my hand in his. “We’ll be fine, Love. I promise.”

“Well, at least after Friday, it will be all over,” I say on a sigh.

“For this season,” he adds so helpfully. We finish eating, and he sits back in his chair. “There’s something I wanted to talk to you about. I’ve been thinking about this for a while.”

“Uh, oh,” I interject.

He smiles. “It’s all good. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

His smile widens. “I want you to be able to come home from the hospital and be here, where I can take care of you and the baby.”

I take in his words. “Okay.”

My jaw drops as he gets down on one knee next to me. “Amber Nicole, you own every piece of my heart. It’s been yours since the first moment I met you. Will you make me the happiest guy on earth and marry me?”

I stare at him in shock as my brain scrambles to catch up. “You want to marry me?”

He nods. “Very much.”

I put my hand on my belly. “But it’s not just me.”

He tries to hide his grin and fails. “Yes, Sweetheart. I am aware. I want both of you in my life. Forever.”

The tears start, and I’m helpless to stop them with these hormones.I can’t believe it.

“Uh, Sweetheart, do you think you could answer the question?”

“Oh. Yes. Yes!”

He smiles the biggest smile I’ve ever seen and takes my hand. “Then, this is for you.” He slides a ring onto my finger, and I stare at it. It’s not big and flashy, thank goodness.

“Rico, it’s gorgeous.”

He runs a hand over his chest. “I might have had some help picking it out.” I look up at him. “Bri,” he admits, and I smile.

“It’s perfect.” And it is. It’s rose gold, which I love. There’s a center diamond and several small diamonds spread out on the thin band. It’s so beautiful and delicate. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

“For the most beautiful woman in the world,” he says, leaning forward and kissing me. “You said yes,” he says against my lips.

“I did.”

“You’re going to be my wife.”

“I am,” I say with a smile.

“I’m the luckiest man in the world.” He kisses me then, and I forget my own name. He pulls back and tucks my hair behind my ear. “I was going to do something flashy for the proposal, but then I thought you’d rather have something like this.”

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