MbF_Final-19

Epilogue

“Garrett, if I walk any more, I’m pretty sure my feet are going to fall off.”

He didn’t even slow his pace, practically dragging Ridley behind him down the street. “We’re almost there.”

“Almost where? We’ve already been this way. Twice.” It had been a whirlwind six months, and this was their first real vacation together. Though technically it was a working vacation, because she’d come to Paris to meet with a few vendors who’d seen her Fashion Week line and were interested in ordering it. But that had finished up two days ago, and the rest of the week was theirs to do with what they wanted.

And it had been totally and completely wonderful. They’d spent lazy mornings making love, followed by sightseeing and so much good food, she was going to have to alter all her clothes when they got back to the States.

In short, it’d been as close to perfection as physically possible.

Until an hour ago when Garrett got a bee in his bonnet and started hauling her around like they were evading pursuit. She yanked on his hold, but it didn’t even faze him. “Hey, what’s going on?”

To be honest, he’d been acting weird ever since this morning—edgy and distracted. Sometimes it was like that with him after he got back from a mission. It usually took a few days before he settled back into life and let go of whatever had happened. Even though he’d slowed down a bit since they’d been together—taking every other mission instead of nearly every one like he used to—there’d still been a learning curve when it came to that. But they’d worked through it, just like they’d worked through every hurdle that showed up.

But he’d been back almost two weeks already, so that theory didn’t make sense.

“Garrett, talk to me.”

He finally stopped, and she had to fight against the urge to lean over and gasp for breath. Holy crap, she wasn’t in good enough shape to sprint across Paris. She was definitely going to have to start using the gym membership Sara bullied her into getting when she got back home. That was a concern for another day, though. She looked up, searching his face for some clue of what the hell was going on.

“Baby…” He glanced away, and she followed his gaze to land on the Eiffel Tower. They were on one of the bridges that crossed the Seine, though she had no idea which one. It was a pretty view, especially with the sun just going down and painting the sky an inspiring array of colors. It was almost enough to distract her. Almost.

“What’s going on?” She searched the sidewalk around them, but there were just tourists, tourists, and more tourists. “Are we in some kind of trouble?”

“What?” Shock finally broke through his frown. “No, nothing like that. You think I’d drag you out here if there was trouble?”

“I don’t know what the hell to think because you’re not talking to me—you’re dragging me around like a doll.” Worry made her voice sharper than she meant it to be, and she made an effort to calm down. “I’m sorry. You’re just kind of freaking me out right now.”

He scrubbed a hand over his face. “No, I’m sorry. I hadn’t realized how far we’d wandered until I looked at the time and…” His frown was back. “I just want this to be fucking perfect.”

“What to be perfect?”

His grin was self-mocking. “I was going to effortlessly guide you back here at exactly the right time and make a comment about how the gorgeous sunset reminds me of you.”

Had someone spiked his crèpe? Because he was talking a whole lot of crazy right now. “Garrett…”

“I’m botching this.” He shook his head. “Oh well. Things with us have never quite gone according to plan, even from the beginning. I guess there’s no reason this should be the exception to the rule.”

Then he went down on one knee.

Ridley’s heart stopped. “Holy crap.”

“Yeah, that about sums it up.” He pulled a ring box out of his jacket. “Baby, I thought I couldn’t love you more than I did when you agreed to be mine, but I was wrong. I love you more now than I ever thought possible. We’ve been to hell and back a few times now, but there’s no one I’d rather have by my side than you. You’re everything to me.” He opened the box. “Will you give me the honor of being by my side for the rest of our lives as my wife?”

The burning in her throat made it hard to speak, but she was already nodding. “Yes. God, as if there’s any question. Yes, I’ll marry you.”

This time his grin was a whole lot happier. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” She watched, her heart in her throat, as he slipped the emerald-cut diamond on her finger. It fit perfectly. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “This is perfect. You’re perfect.”

“Nah, but I’m a hell of a better man with you than I ever was without you.” He kissed her, pulling her in close. “Now let’s get back to the hotel, and I’ll give you a preview of what being Mrs. Garrett Reaver will be like.”

She laughed. “Lucky me.”

“No, baby, lucky me.”

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