Page 62 of Escaping Monsters

“You’re a mystery, Ace. I have no idea what you wouldn’t do,” I called after him.

“Neither do I,” Lucas said as he took a sip of his wine, “And I’ve known Ace for years.”

The bartender shot a smile back before heading down into the stairwell.

When we were mostly alone, Lucas and I leaned into each other. His arm wrapped around my shoulder, and I tucked my hand into his tux at the waist.

I took a big sip of my burgundy wine and set it on the table. “Can I say another thing you’re not supposed to say on a first date?”

Lucas’ fingers ran through my curly hair, brushing it over my shoulder. “Your honesty doesn’t scare me, Teagan. I love how authentic you are.”

Everywhere his fingers touched me, tingles spread over my skin. The sweet feeling and the warmth of the wine in my belly bolstered my courage, and I said, “I wanted to get married to a man exactly like you, Lucas. I wanted someone smart, kind, considerate, caring, funny, and genuine. It was like I was trying to find you. I wanted you so much, I let someone trick me into believing that I had, but it was complete lies. And yet, even after everything, this month has proven that I’m still the same woman who wants to spend her life with you.”

His gray eyes sparkled with humor, and his dimple peeked out. “Are you saying you want to marry me before we’ve even kissed, Teagan?”

Heat licked up my cheeks again, but that was what I was saying, and I didn’t want to take it back. Lucas was the embodiment of every fantasy I had about a husband, and he was so much more, too.

“Yeah, I guess that’s what I’m saying...” I paused to press my hands to my burning cheeks. “And now I’ve managed to scare you away, haven’t I?” I laughed while asking the question because, clearly, Lucas was staying exactly where he was.

“Never.” He shook his head. “I feel the same way. Here…” He pulled his arm out from around me and slipped his mother’s ring off his pinky. Taking my hand, he slipped the intricate woven metal band onto my ring finger. The fit was almost perfect, and a rush of excitement flowed through me.

Lucas inhaled deeply, and then he said, “There’s no one here that could legally marry us, but if you wanted to be my wife, Teagan, I would do everything in my power to deserve the honor of being your husband.”