Page 270 of Ruin My Life
Tears break free, slipping down my cheeks as I nod, choking back a sob. He slips the ring onto my finger, and it settles against my skin like it was always meant to be there.
I turn in his lap, cradling his face in my hands, and kiss him again and again through the blur of my tears. He covers my hand with his own, the ring pressing into his palm like he’s using it to anchor himself in this moment.
When I finally stop crying long enough to speak, I whisper, “I love you, Damon.”
“I love you too,” he breathes, brushing his lips over mine like a vow.
And as much as I want to scream the news to the world—to run inside and show the others, to wake Rebecka and throw my arms around Dahlia and Hope—I remember what he said when I first stepped out here tonight. That he just wanted a little time with me. Just us.
So I don’t say anything.
Not yet.
I let the stars bear witness.
Let the ocean carry the secret.
Let the ones I’ve lost—Mom, Dad, Amie—smile down on us and celebrate with the wind.
For now, I stay here in his arms.
Just me and Damon.
And the promise of forever.
