Page 162 of Before We Break

After a beat of heavy silence, the sound of the pencil dragging across the paper fills the space between us.

Fifteen minutes in, my left arm goes numb, and I start to regret my choice. Ten minutes later, I have to take a pee break. At the forty-five-minute mark, my patience is wearing thin. “This is a lot less sexy in real life.”

“Speak for yourself. I’m enjoying the view.”

“You would be. Maybe you should take off your clothes and give me something to look at.”

“My face isn’t enough for you?”

“I prefer it between my thighs.”

“Mm. I bet you do.” He smirks. “Almost done. You can put your arm down and relax.”

“Oh, thank god,” the words come out on a ragged sigh as I flop onto my back.

After a cat-like stretch, I sit on the edge of the bed and pull on my robe, securing it with a knot at the waist while Noah finishes.

Silence stretches, but we don’t need to fill it. Existing in this space together is enough.

“It’s done. Close your eyes and hold out your hands.”

Without hesitation, I do as I’m told.

The floorboards creak as he draws closer, placing what feels like the sketchbook in my hands. “Ok. You can look.”

He captured me perfectly in vivid monochromatic detail: every curve of my body outlined to perfection, every roll and stretch mark highlighted and shadowed—not a single thing left out. I have an almost serene expression on my face, and I know if I count the freckles, they’ll all be there. Every last one.

My eyes catch on my left hand resting delicately near my face, the angle changed slightly from the position I held for over an hour, and something shiny glimmering on my fourth finger. A quiet gasp escapes. “Noah… what is that?”

He doesn’t answer, and when I let my gaze wander from the sketchbook to the man I love, he’s down on his knee with an identical ring held between his thumb and forefinger, only this one is a pear-shaped pink sapphire with smaller diamond-like stones inset into a gold band.

“Clio Marsden⁠—”

Tears well in my eyes and I sink to my knees in front of him. “Yes.”

“I haven’t even asked the question yet,” he says through a laugh. “I planned a whole speech about canoodling and whimsy.”

“Did you write up a contract, too?” I rasp.

“No. The next time I sign my name next to yours, it’ll be on our marriage certificate.”

“I like the sound of that.”

He cradles my cheek, his blue eyes shimmering in the lamplight. “Marry me, princess.”

“Yes.”

One Year Later

♫ Vienna - Billy Joel

I scan the brick facade of Lexi’s brand new apartment in New York City, paid for by an inheritance from her biological father. He died last year in a horrible accident. When we got the call that Lexi was named in his will, I was shocked. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to accept the impressive sum of money until she realized it could finance acting school and an apartment in NYC.

My girl is going to see all of her dreams come true.

I wrap her in another hug, lingering on the stoop. “Are you sure you have everything you need?”

“I’m fine, Mom. You can go.” Her voice is muffled by my shirt, but her annoyance is clear.