Page 77 of The Love Simulation

After leaving the school, we came back to my house and shut out the rest of the world. We’re supposed to meet with my family for lunch, but I’m tempted to send them a message saying we can’t make it. I just want to spend the day wrapped in Roman’s arms.

“I didn’t realize I was humming,” I say. “Do you ever miss the simulation?”

He thinks about it while wrapping one of my braids around his finger. “Do I miss finding dust in bad places and navigating from one crisis to the next? No. But do I miss being with you every hour and being able to glance around a small space and easily spot you? Yes.”

“You’re so sweet.” I stretch my neck to kiss him. “It’s what I miss the most too. I just want to spend every day with you. At least we have every night.” I rest my head back on Roman’s chest and sigh. After living with each other for six weeks in the Hab, it was an easy transition to spend every night together, alternating between his place and mine. “Well, I guess we’d better start getting ready to meet with my family.”

“If my woman misses spending every night with me, what kind of man would I be if I didn’t do something about it?” Roman asks, ignoring my comment about us getting ready. And really, I’m not mad. We can meet up with my family later and instead use this time for a little bonding.

“I said, what kind of man would I be if I didn’t do something about my woman missing me?” he asks, and he’s usingthattone again.

“Not a very good man,” I answer.

“That’s what I thought. Now, move back to your spot on the bed.” This time his tone is gentle, but I still scramble off Roman’s chest and lie on my pillow.

“Close your eyes,” Roman says, and I do, giddy with anticipation of where he’ll touch first.

The bed shifts with Roman’s weight as he moves. It feels like he’s moving to the foot of the bed. If he’s going to kick this off by trailing kisses up my legs, count me in.

“Now,” he says. “Open them.”

I do, then immediately sit up. “Roman?” I breathe.

He is at the foot of the bed, and he’s holding an open ring box. Inside is the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen.

“Brianna,” he begins, then clears his throat and starts again. “Brianna Rogers, I love everything about you. Your smile. Your kindness. Your humor. The way you love and forgive. I’m ten times better than I was before, all because of you. Will you marry me?”

“Yes,” I say. “Of course!”

I launch myself at him, nearly making us fall off the bed. Once he regains his balance, I grab his face and pepper his mouth with kisses.

Roman laughs. “I didn’t put the ring on you yet.”

“Fine.” I lean back and hold my left hand out impatiently, eager to get back to his lips. When he finally slides the ringon, I take a moment to stare. It’s the perfect fit, and we’re the perfect match.

“I’m so happy,” I whisper. “I feel like this isn’t even real.”

Roman tilts my chin up, and I fall over and over again when I see a tear rolling down his cheek. “It was always real,” he says, then claims my lips in akiss.