Page 76 of Faking the Face Off

“I am,” he says, his breath hitting my cheek. “It’s along the lines of ‘will you marry me?’”

I laugh, a sound that’s half a sob because I already know my answer. “If that is the question, then yes,” I say, my voice shaking with joy. “Absolutely yes.”

Ollie’s grin is instant, wide and bright and so full of love that it takes my breath away. Before I can say anything else, he captures my lips in a kiss that’s soft and sweet and everything I didn’t know I’d been waiting for.

I tighten my arms around his neck, holding him like I’ll never let go, as the whole world seems to disappear. It’s just us—his warmth, his scent, the way his lips curve into a smile against mine. He pulls back just a little, his forehead resting against mine. I can feel the slight shake of his breath, like even he can’t quite believe this is real as he slowly releases my body, putting me back onto solid footing.

“I love you,” he murmurs, his voice low and steady, and my heart does that wild, ridiculous flutter all over again. “You. Anna Denault. You said yes.”

“I love you too,” I whisper back, fighting a snicker when he kisses me again. I think this might be the happiest moment of my life. “Anna Denault-Decker. It’s got a great sound, doesn’t it?”

“Empowered, for sure,” he says, nodding in agreement. “Let’s hear that Anna Decker part again, though, I like that.”

Laughing, he whips us around in a circle in my tiny kitchen with my feet leaving the floor, yet again, as he holds me close.The cupcake sits forgotten on the counter, but I know I’ll never look at churros the same way again.

When he finally sets me down, his hands linger on my waist, his thumbs brushing against me in a way that makes my heart flutter all over again. His eyes meet mine, soft and steady, and he tilts his head slightly, studying me like he’s trying to memorize every detail.

“You know,” he says, his voice quieter now, “I didn’t plan this. You, us…it’s the best surprise. I always knew you were in my life for a reason, like that old saying. I can honestly say, I never thought of us as a ‘season’ only kind of thing, either.”

I feel the tears threatening again, my throat tight as I reach up to cup his face. “And this,” I whisper, leaning in so our foreheads touch again, “is a lifetime.”

He kisses me, slow and deliberate, as if sealing a promise neither of us ever plans to break.

And at that moment, I know he’s right.