Page 194 of What Started In Deception

Lydia stopped mid-step, tracking her gaze around the space that was lit by fairy lights and firelight now that the sun had mostly set. She pressed her hand to her heart. “Ty, this is beautiful.”

He smiled, thrilled that the flowers looked even better in the dim glow. “I thought I could make this nice for you, too.”

Her big hazel eyes were soft as she looked at him. “It’s amazing.”

He winked. “Come snuggle up with me.”

She nodded.

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they settled side by side on the couch while she covered their legs with the soft fleece. “Is this okay?”

She sighed as she relaxed against him, nestling her head in the crook of his neck as she wrapped her arm around him. “It’s perfect.” She slid her hand up and down his side. “I love everything about our cozy new space.”

He hummed in his throat as he nodded, holding her tighter while he stared into the flames. “It’s kind of hard to believe that all of this was waiting for me when I rolled into Oliver Heights all those months ago, and I had no idea.”

“And to think that I wanted you to go away.”

He grinned as he gave her a gentle jostle. “You’re stuck with me now.”

She laughed as she lifted her head to hold his gaze before her smile faded as she stroked her fingers along his cheek. “I’m so glad you’re here, Ty.”

He kissed her. “I never want to be anywhere else.”

“I don’t want you to be anywhere else, either.”

He tucked her hair behind her ear. “You changed everything for me, Lyd. You’ve made everything about my life better.”

Her eyes went soft again. “You’re on quite a roll tonight.”

“I want you to know how much I love you. How much I need you.”

“Ty,” she whispered. “I love you, too. I need you, too.”

“You’re my person, Lyd. I never want to be without you.” He pulled a silver two-carat diamond-encrusted ring from the front pocket of his shirt.

“Ty,” she shuddered out as a tear trailed down her cheek.

“Marry me, Lyd. At the beach next summer, like we planned.”

She nodded. “Yes.”

“Make babies with me after that.”

She nodded again. “Yes again.”

“Be mine forever, Lyd.”

She nodded yet again. “For always.”

He slid the ring on her finger, watching it sparkle in the firelight.

She held up her hand. “It’s so pretty, Ty.”

“I had it custom-made. The bigger diamond was from a ring that your dad was going to give to your mom for their anniversary. Grandpa Roger and Grandma Gail have been holding on to it, waiting for the perfect time to give it to you, and the smaller diamonds are from a ring that my dad had given to my mom.”

More tears trailed down her cheeks as she closed her eyes. “It’s perfect, Ty.”

He stroked away her tears. “I love you.”