Page 92 of Where the Blacktop Ends

Max’s grin is wide, easy, and a little too telling. Whatever they talked about in there… it must’ve gone well.

“I should’ve known my dad would be banging the hot nanny. It’s like every cliche ever,” Max says, smirking.

Troy sighs, but I catch the corner of his mouth twitching into a reluctant smile.

I laugh, shaking my head. “It’s a bit unconventional, but here we are.”

Max claps his dad on the shoulder, still grinning as Troy walks towards me, wrapping an arm around my waist protectively. “I’m happy for you two. I knew something was up when I saw you smiling so much in the recent press conferences. It’s rare forthe king of political grumps to be that happy unless someone’s finally got to him.”

Troy chuckles. “Alright, alright. I’ll see you in North Carolina next week, son.”

“Yup.”

Troy pulls him into one more hug and then Max turns to me. “It was great meeting you, Georgia. Can’t wait to see you down South when my dad kicks ass and fixes everything he’s been fighting for.”

I smile. “Looking forward to it.”

The moment the door clicks shut, Troy is on me. His hands find my waist, pulling me flush against his body, holding me like he never wants to let go. His lips crash onto mine, stealing the question I was about to ask, replacing it with something far more urgent.

By the time we break apart, I’m breathless, my pulse hammering against his. His eyes are dark, burning with heat, and I know—whatever I was about to say doesn’t matter anymore.

“Everything okay?” I ask softly.

Troy nods, his thumb brushing over my cheek tenderly. “Yeah. Max is back, and it caught me off guard how relieved I am to have him here. His opinion has always mattered to me. I wouldn’t have gotten into politics without his support. We grew up together in a way, and even though I’d like to say I wouldn’t care if he didn’t approve of me running for governor, it means a lot knowing he’s here for the election.”

I nod. “I’m glad I got to meet him I’m looking forward to spending more time with him. He’s coming to North Carolina?”

“He’s moving back to North Carolina, permanently,” Troy says. “He’s done with school. Got a job near Whitewood Creek andwants to be in Liam’s life. It’s good. He’s ready.” His voice is full of fatherly pride.

“That’s incredible,” I say, genuinely happy that Liam will have his dad back.

Troy kisses me again, lingering this time before pulling away. “Now, I’ve got everything I want. My son, my grandson, and you. There’s just one thing missing...”

I tilt my head, confused. “What?”

He takes a deep breath, his expression turning serious. “The election’s next week, and I’m going to tell the world about us before it happens. You’re not some secret to me, Georgia. Calling you my girlfriend doesn’t feel right—it sounds too small for what you mean to me. I’m a grown man. I don’t need to date for a long time before I know what I want, and I’ve known it since that first night we connected after the Hampton’s party. You’re my future wife if you’ll marry me.”

I gasp as he pulls out a small velvet box from his pocket. Inside is a massive, glimmering diamond ring set on a delicate rose gold band. My heart nearly stops as I realize what’s happening.

“I love you, Georgia Cameron,” he says, his voice steady. “I know it’s soon. It might not make sense to anyone else, but it does to me. And as long as it does to you too, please say yes to forever with me.”

My mind races. “But... my parents haven’t even met you yet. I’ve only been working for you for two months.”

Troy shakes his head, his gaze locked on mine. “That doesn’t matter to me. What matters is how I feel about you. If you’re not ready, I’ll wait. But I want you to know—you’re everything to me. And I wantforever.”

I swallow hard, a rush of emotions colliding—overwhelmed, thrilled, completely blindsided. This is what I wanted—proof that I mean as much to Troy as he means to me—but I never expectedthis.Not tonight.

But maybe this is what happens when you stop wasting time on boys who can’t make up their minds and finally meet a man—a real man—who knows exactly what he wants and isn’t afraid to claim it.

“Just give me a few days, okay? I need to talk to my parents before the whole world sees me with this... this gigantic, breathtaking ring.” I can’t take my eyes off it.

Troy laughs softly, nodding. “Take all the time you need. But I’m telling the state of North Carolina about you, whether you’re wearing this ring or not. Just tell me what you want me to tell them.”

My heart melts as I realize the weight of his words. This is real. This is forever. And we’re just getting started.

Chapter 35 – Troy

“Good morning Mr. Marshall,” Diane greets me with a cautious look in her eyes.?

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