Page 109 of Seein’ Red

“You…us…”

My heart sinks, my stomach turning on itself, and my mouth goes dry all at once. Willa couldn’t sleep because she was thinking about us? Oh boy.

“Us?”

My question comes out strangled, even though I don’t mean for it to. Willa must hear it too, looking over her shoulder and giving me a wink. That simple gesture quiets the storm in me, and I relax. But only for a second.

Willa twists in my arms, pulling away. I watch her, still in awe of her beauty as she turns to face me, sitting with her legs tucked under her.

“I love you, Nash Keller.”

I let my smile run wild again. “I love you, Willa Hayes. I hope you’re not questioning that.”

“I’m not. And I never will again. I…just…” She swallows hard, looking at me, eyes going glassy. “I don’t ever want you to doubt that either.”

My heart squeezes. Fuck, this woman. After all these years and everything we’ve been through, she still somehow manages to surprise me.

“I don’t,” I assure her, tucking a wisp of hair behind her ear. “I’ve always been sure of my feelings for you. Even when I couldn’t voice them.”

“No, I don’t want you to doubt my feelings for you.”

A hush falls over the already silent room, as if the universe knows that the only thing that is needed right now is the sound of our hearts. Both of which are beating so loud, in sync with each other, that I’m almost certain they could be heard over a crowd. Still, I lean in, kissing Willa softly. Making sure she knows that I know. And that spoken or unspoken, it’s all perfectly clear.

“I did everything I could to push you away. Everything. Yet, you chose me. Over and over and over again. And I loved you for it. Love you for it. And I want you to know that I choose you too.”

Her voice catches. Sniffling, she blinks quickly, fighting back tears. All her feelings are written on her face and radiating off her body, making me want to yank her into me, kiss the fuck out of her, and hold on to her until we meld into each other. But she’s on a roll, and I don’t dare disrupt that.

“You are mine, Nash Keller. And I’m yours. You are the one that I want to wake up next to. That I want to come home to. Have babies with. Stay up late wrapping presents and playing Santa with, only to have those babies wake us up a few hours later to undo all our hard work. All while stealing kisses and moments that are ours. Just ours.”

Rocking backward, Willa pushes up to her knees. I lean back, trying to figure out what she’s doing, but then it hits me. Surprise takes over, and for the first time in as long as I can remember—maybe ever—I’m speechless.

Leaning on one knee, Willa takes my hand, squeezing it.

“Awhile back, you asked me a question. Okay, asked is a bit of a stretch, you demanded, but still,” she says, laughing. Her joy is palpable, and so is mine. “Without thinking, I said no. When really, I should have said yes without any hesitation. Because that’s what I want. Because you are what I want. Who I choose. So, what do you say, Nash…marry me?”

I open my mouth, happiness ready to spill out, but nothing comes. I’m too taken aback by Willa’s gesture to respond verbally. So, I do the only thing I know to do.

I give her a wink.

Pushing up into the same down on one knee position she’s in, I smirk. A big, classic, shit-eating, Cheshire cat grin.

“You stole my line, Willa Mae.”

“What?”

I wink again, then reach behind her. It takes some effort to stay balanced while feeling around under the tree skirt, but I manage. My fingers land on the small box I stashed there last night, wrapping around it like it’s the holy grail.

Because in a way, it is.

Righting myself, I look my girl in the eye, focusing on those baby blues that stole my heart so long ago. A quick flick of my wrist, and the box is open, showing off a pear shaped, halo engagement ring. The ring sparkles brilliantly in the light of the Christmas tree, Willa’s gasp filling the air.

“I never got to meet Grandma Meyers, but according to Pops, she was, and I quote, ‘a real pistol.’ According to him, she had to be in order to raise a woman who was going to put up with his son.” I laugh, trying to hold it together. The tears that are already threatening in Willa’s eyes don’t need to be joined by mine. At least not yet. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving to wear her ring than the only woman strong enough to put up with me. It’s you and me against the world, baby. Marry me?”

“Yes!”

Willa’s answer is loud and clear, reverberating off the walls, sending a vibration through me. One that makes me want to shout. Instead, I catch her as she launches herself at me.

I tumble backward, making sure I have her secure in my arms, before kissing her. Hard. The kind of kiss that can only come with the promise of forever. Because she is my forever.