Page 86 of You Weren't Mine Then

Chapter 22

“These robots will have to work harder tonight,” Finn said as he activated the pool’s cleaning system. “I’ll let it run all night. And let’s get you into dry clothes. I always have something in my locker.”

“Quite a boutique you’re running here.” Jane peeked into the locker in his office at the back. She grabbed a pair of gray sweats, a hoodie, and his sneakers. She drowned in his garments and laughed as she put them on.

Her laughter. He fucking missed seeing her like this—unencumbered.

He wrapped an arm around her, squeezed her to him, and kissed the crown of her head. She smelled like him now—chlorine instead of citrus.

“Sorry about your clothes,” he said, lifting the bag that he had shoved them into.

“Are you kidding? It was so worth it.”

Everything was worth it. Everything was worth reaching this night, this hour, this minute with her. He didn’t want to look back at all the regrets that had led them here, promising himself to only look forward. They still had hurdles and hoops to jump through, but they had each other.

“Texted my mother. She’ll probably only see it in the morning. Told her I’ll be at yours and be back to drive her to the airport tomorrow night,” he said when Jane stepped back into the office after a quick stop in the bathroom.

They drove to Riviera View in his car.

This was the best beginning of a new year that he’d ever had. In Jane’s little house, with her in the shower, then holding her in bed with candles lighting the room.

He sat up, leaning against the headboard. She was curled up against him. Holding both sides of her chin, Finn lifted her face to his. “Jane, I meant what I said before. I don’t want to waste time. Marry me.”

She exhaled and smiled. Her beautiful almond eyes smiled. “You know I want to. So much! Shouldn’t we ensure everything is settled between you and Avery regarding Max first? And give Max a chance to get used to this?”

“Are you saying yes?”

“Of course I am!”

“That’s all I need to know. Leave the rest to me.” He placed a kiss on her lips.

When they had gotten back and taken their clothes off, he had made sure to leave his jeans close to the bed. Now he stretched and retrieved something from the tiny watch pocket. “This is something I bought you for Christmas. I knew I couldn’t give it to you then, but I had to buy it for my own sanity, to have something to look forward to.”

“Oh, no. I didn’t buy you anything,” she mumbled, and this almost made him laugh.

“It was wrapped, but I wanted to carry it with me everywhere, so I took it out of its box. I hope it’s okay.”

He opened his palm.

Her breath visibly caught as her gaze fell on the starry round diamond on the white gold ring. When the salesman had asked which color of gold he’d wanted, he didn’t even have to think. “White gold.”

He watched her. He wanted to register the way she looked now to his memory. She moved her glance to his face and fixed her eyes on him.

“Let’s make it official. Will you marry me, Jane Anne Sunflower Trumpet Player Tutor Painter Cake Decorator Who Owns My Heart Drecher?”

“Abso-fucking-lutely, Finn Brennen.”

He breathed out a relieved chuckle. “That’s my Jane! Delicate fingers and a beautiful, dirty mouth.”He slid the ring onto her finger. “I bought the smallest size.” He kissed her ringed finger.

She took his hand in hers, caressed his knuckles, then kissed the scar on his ring finger. She then placed a kiss on the left side of his chest before she kissed his lips.

He could taste her tears.

“No crying, Anne.”

She smiled at the name. “I love you doesn’t even come close.”

Nothing did, but he had to stop those tears that filled her eyes.

“You know what song they’ll be playing at our wedding, right?” he asked.

She laughed through the tears. “I need to learn the Fandango?”

“And cartwheels.”

When they made love on the bed later, Finn stilled and brought their entwined hands between them. He kissed her hand with the ring that gleamed through their interweaved fingers without taking his eyes from Jane’s. He then kissed her lips and buried himself deeper inside her.

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