Page 62 of Royal Shark
I leap up and throw my arms around his neck, hugging him tight. “I did too. I always secretly hoped, but I was too chicken to admit it.”
He tips my chin up. “One thing you have never been is chicken.”
My eyes sting. “I was. I avoided you and Silvia and Villroy, scared that it would be too difficult to face the memories. If you hadn’t shown up on my doorstep—”
“It was inevitable. I’m your hero. The hero always swoops in when called upon.”
“But I didn’t call you.”
“When we both turned twenty-five, that’s what we said, and we’re still twenty-five.” He hands me the cards. “These are yours.”
I clutch them tightly, staring at them. “Mine are still in the safe at home.” I lift my gaze to his. “I kept them in a fireproof safe, just like my heart, locked up tight, and you burned right through it. Only you could’ve gotten through.”
He smiles. “And you had it in an oven too.”
We laugh.
“I wish I had my cards here to put them together.” I set his pair on the end table.
“That’s okay. We’ll get them when we get your stuff.”
“So we’re really doing this? Living and working together?”
He kisses me. “Among other things, I hope. Do you remember what else we said the day of our pact?”
I nod once. “Matching pairs, hearts and diamonds, twos and fives just like at a wedding. Two hearts, two diamonds. And you said guys don’t wear diamonds.”
He goes down on one knee. “That’s right, love. I said I’d give you two diamonds.” He holds up a diamond engagement ring with two large round diamonds set at an angle from each other, surrounded by smaller diamonds, on a platinum band.
“I think I’m hyperventilating.”
He grins. “You can’t be hyperventilating if you’re still speaking.”
“When did you get this?”
“When I was in New York. I knew it was inevitable, and I knew exactly what I wanted for you.”
My knees go weak, and I slowly sit down again.
“Sara Travers, will you honor the pact we made so long ago and be my wife?”
“Yes!” Tears stream down my face, happy tears, as he slides the ring on my finger.
He rises to his feet and pulls me into his arms. “I love you. I always have and I always will.”
“I love you too. I so regret not getting in touch sooner. We wasted so much time.”
“No regrets. You and I happened exactly when we were meant to. You had to finish raising Chloe, and now she’s off on her own, doing fantastic.”
“You’re right. Chloe needed me, but I should’ve kept in touch.” I squeeze him tight.
He strokes my hair. “No more looking back. We’re here together now.” He lifts my hand, showing off my engagement ring. “And I’ve got you forever.”
I kiss him. “Yes! Happily so. I hope you don’t mind if Chloe stays here on her school breaks.”
He holds my jaw, his thumb stroking the sensitive spot just under my ear. “Of course not. She’s family. I expected her to stay with us. She’s welcome anytime for as long as she likes. I’ll cover her tuition. I don’t want you to worry about that.”
I’m so touched by his inclusion of my sister I can’t speak for a moment. Finally, I manage to say in a hoarse voice, “Thank you so much for understanding about her, but you don’t have to cover her tuition. She’s my responsibility.”
