Page 98 of Big Santa

Completely.

Right into my slippers.

He takes my left hand and lifts it between us.

“The first contract was about what you could give Shiloh. And what I could give you in return.”

He brushes his thumb over my wedding ring.

“This one is about what I promise to give you. For the rest of my life.”

I swallow.

“And what do I have to give you?”

“Nothing.”

I blink.

“Nothing?”

“You don’t have to sign it. You don’t have to agree to anything. You don’t have to do a damn thing except know that I mean every word.”

“Maverick.”

“I’ve already asked Bryant to take care of the original agreement. Your financial protections stay in place, but there’s no longer a deadline on our marriage. No end date. No thirteen years and seven months.”

He lifts my hand to his mouth.

“Just us.”

A tear slips down my cheek.

“And what if I want to promise you things too?”

His expression changes.

“Then I’d like to hear them.”

I smile.

“Well, for starters, I promise to love you.”

His eyes close for just a second.

“And Shiloh.”

He nods.

“And I promise to always make Christmas a really big deal.”

“Of course you do.”

“And to continue putting artwork on your ridiculously expensive refrigerator.”

“I assumed that was nonnegotiable.”

“It is.”