Page 193 of Surprise Me Always

“Yes?”

I laugh through the tears threatening behind my eyes.

“Yes.”

He kisses me.

Softly at first.

Then with all the relief of a man who has apparently been worried I could possibly say no.

When he pulls back, he slides the ring onto my finger.

It fits.

I look down at it.

Then back at him.

And for a second all I can do is stand there and feel the sheer impossible weight of happiness pressing against my ribs.

Downstairs Sophie bellows, “If anyone is naked up there, I’m getting the hosepipe.”

I let out a wet laugh against Mark’s mouth.

He smiles.

“Should we go and have some cake?”

I shake my head, still holding onto him.

“Give me one more minute.”

So he does.

He stands there with his arms around me, sea breeze moving the curtains, Heath asleep behind us, family noise rising from downstairs, and lets me have one full minute to feel what it is like when a life finally fits.