Page 131 of Mr. Almost

I hope she doesn’t, though.

When we pull up to the hotel, she looks over at me, confused.

“Have faith,” I tell her before getting out of the car and going around to open her door. Tristen is at the front desk, holding out a key for me. I smile, taking it before pulling Olivia to the guest elevators.

When I press the button, she gasps. “Our room?”

I didn’t realize she considered it ours. That only makes this all the more special.

“Shh, you’re going to ruin the surprise.”

She giggles, but mimics zipping her lips. When the elevator dings open, I lead her down the hall to the room. Then I open the door and gesture for her to go inside first.

“Wow, it looks exactly how I remember. I won’t lie, I’ve been tempted to come take a peek since I started working here, but never had a real reason to.” She stands at the window, looking out.

“I asked them not to change anything about the room. When you left me that night, I wanted some way to remember it. I would come into town every couple of months and stay here without anyone knowing.”

She turns to face me. “Really? It was one night.”

I shrug. “It was a magical night. One that kept me going for a long time. I never forgot you. I tried to find you a couple of times. I didn’t have much to go off. Sometimes I would just walk the streets and hope to catch a glimpse of you. I knew it was a long shot, but it comforted me.”

“I thought of you often too. It was a little different because I had Ari. I see you every time I look at her.”

“We made a beautiful daughter. I’m sorry I missed so much of her life.” I step forward, pulling her into my arms.

“It wasn’t your fault. I should have insisted I see you personally.”

I shake my head. “You couldn’t have known. It doesn’t matter now. No reason to live in the past. I want to look toward our future.”

“I’d like that.”

Deciding it’s now or never, I pull the ring from my pocket and drop to my knee. Her hand flies to her lips as she gasps.

“It may seem like it’s too soon because we only just reconnected, but I feel like I’ve loved you forever. The fact that you gave birth and raised my favorite person in the world only adds to that. I don’t need time to decide if I want to spend the rest of my life with you or not. I’m all in. I have been since the beginning. If you aren’t ready to getmarried now, then we can wait as long as you want. All I know is that I want you to know my commitment to you is real. I’m never going to waver. You are the one and only person in this entire world for me. I love you, Livvy baby. Will you be my wife?”

Tears are flowing down her cheeks as she just stares at me. For a minute, I think she might say no, but instead she says nothing at all.

“Livvy baby? Can you say something? You’re worrying me.”

She nods yes, sucking in a breath. “Yes.”

“Yes, you will say something, or yes, you will marry me? I need to be clear here.”

She laughs, grabbing my cheeks to kiss me. “Yes, I will be your wife. Today, tomorrow, forever.”

Kissing her hard once, I pull back and put the ring on her finger. Then I sweep her up into my arms and swing her around.

“You won’t regret this. I will spend the rest of my life loving you.”

She smiles, looking at her ring. “I knew it.”

“Knew what?”

“That you wouldn’t let your fiancée walk around without a huge statement piece. Jesus, how much did you spend on this? You know what, I don’t want to know. It doesn’t matter. You know I don’t need your money, right?”

“I know, but it’s not mine anymore. It’s ours. The fact that you don’t want it just makes me that much more sure about giving it to you.”

“I love you, Mason. I can’t wait to be your wife.”

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