Page 118 of His North Star
My eyes adjusted to the fading orange light. I tilted my head to see past Ty’s body. We were in the field he’d brought me to the night of my would-be wedding with Blake.
“What are we doing here?” I asked, confused.
He pointed to the bed of his truck. “We’re having dessert.”
I turned to look over my shoulder. He’d brought blankets, cushions, and a picnic basket. The twilight sky, the empty field, just the two of us for miles around. It was heaven.
I adjusted my legs so Ty, who stood, could step closer to me.
“I’ll never be able to catch up with you,” I said.
“Our relationship isn’t a competition.” His hands rubbed my back in soothing circles.
“I haven’t been able to surprise you once,” I complained. Not for lack of trying, either. I should win an award for Worst-Surprise-Giver.
He pulled back, a huge grin on his face. “That’s because you’re not as skilled in espionage as I am.”
“It’s not my fault you walked in on me while making reservations on my computer.”
“You should’ve locked your door.”
“You have a key,” I protested. “You would’ve found your way in anyway.” Not much had separated us the last few months. Work became torturous since my schedule did not align with Ty’s. He often had showings in the evenings. When we were together, I dreaded the moment we had to say goodbye, since I’d moved back to my apartment. I wanted this man by my side forever and always. I wanted to sleep next to him, knowing he had my back and I had his. I wanted all of him. After I’d helped him get through his physical therapy, we found a therapist for me. I still wasn’t one hundred percent, but with Ty by my side, I improved each day. Without him, I doubted I’d be able to trust and believe in myself as much as I did now. I knew on my worst days, the fact that he would be there to simply hug me made all the difference in knowing I wasn’t alone. That someone loved me despite the lies Blake fed me.
“Yes, but you could have closed your computer in time.” He chuckled.
I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter now. You ruined your gift.”
“Love?” My heart swelled, just as it did every time he called me that.
I pulled back so I could see his face. “Yes?”
“Going to the national rugby play-off game with you is more than I could’ve ever hoped for. Whether I found out when I did, or two days before we left, doesn’t matter. It’s the fact that you’re willing to go with me that counts.”
“You promised it would be fun,” I warned. It was one thing to watch Ty play, or cuddle with him on the couch while we caught the pros, but in person, with thousands of screaming fans? It was so not my idea of a good time.
“It will be.”
Ty did have a way of making almost anything fun. Being around him made life, even the hard parts, better. We’d had a long, difficult journey, full of heartache, pain, setbacks, and fear to get where we were. But it was worth it.
“Mare?” Ty asked, pulling me to stand.
“Yes?”
He entwined his hands in mine. “I’d like to tell you a story.”
“Okay.”
“Once upon a time, there was a little boy who saw a little girl with the most adorable pigtails he’d ever seen. Thankfully, she took pity on this sad kid, and they became the best of friends. Sharing adventures, heartache, and joy. Sometimes that boy made stupid mistakes. But that girl, the one who’d stolen his heart, was always there, shining in her unknown brilliance. Guiding him home. Back to her.”
My heart pounded in my chest.
He lowered onto his knee. “You”—he kissed my palm—“aremyNorth Star. You always have been. You always will be.”
I sucked in a ragged breath. Tears gathered in the corners of my eyes. Was this really happening?
“Will you marry me?”
My answer came immediately. “Yes!” I placed my hands on either side of Ty’s face and kissed him. He stood, bringing me up with him. I poured my love into my kiss, into him.
