Page 112 of Making Over Maris
“Jack.”
“Where are you at?”
“Tell her how much…” She couldn’t finish. The words escaped her. But he had them. He had the words.
“I love you, Sara. I always have.” It shone in his eyes.
Danced in her heart. Warmed her soul.
“Oh, Jack.”
“From that day Billy Brandt backed me into the corner by the lockers and tried to give me a wedgie and you made him leave me alone. Do you remember that?”
She shook her head. She didn’t. But Billy had always been a dick. And a bully. She could imagine that happening all too clearly. She sent a prayer of thanks to her younger self for having a shred of humanity.
“Keep reading.”
“Oh. Okay.”
STEP SIX: TELL HER HOW MUCH YOU NEED HER.
“You need me?”
“Like the air I breathe.”
STEP SEVEN: ASK HER TO SHARE YOUR LIFE.
“Will you be my wife? Will you take me to be your husband? Your one? Your only?”
Emotion—excitement, elation, relief, fear—rocked her.
Her one and only…
And then she remembered.
“What about Philippe?”
He laughed. “Forget about Philippe. I paid him off. I’ll be your gigolo from now on.”
“Will you?” The tears were back. They ran unchecked down her cheeks. “Will you do what I say?”
“Always.”
“Always?” It was difficult not to snort. Unladylike as it was.
“Almost always. Come on, Sara. Throw me a bone here. It’s starting to rain. Will you be my woman? Forsaking all others. Especially Todd—”
“Todd who?”
“Until death us do part?”
Happiness tripped through her. Still, she tapped her lip with a finger. “Will you get rid of the flowcharts?”
“Probably not.”
She stroked his hair. “I can live with that.”
“So what do you say, Sara. Will you marry me?”
