Page 115 of The October Arrangement

“No.” He smiled.

“Did you order dinner already?”

“No.”

“Oh. What have you been doing since you got home?” I asked.

“Thinking,” he said.

“I gathered that when I saw you standing in front of the window, drinking. What were you thinking about?”

“The first time I saw you in my kitchen wrapped in a towel.”

“Oh, God.” I laughed.

“I’d just gotten back from Los Angeles. I was tired, and all I wanted was a shower, a drink, and my bed.”

“And instead you got me.” I grinned.

“Exactly.”

“You were so mad.” I placed my hands on his chest.

“I was fucking furious, but I let you stay anyway for a month. I kept thinking that if I could just get through the month, you’d be gone, and I’d have my life back. Then something happened.” He placed his hand on my cheek. “When I look at you, there’s not a single doubt you’re the person I want beside me for life. You know why? Because I know what it feels like to want to come home to you every night. To wake up with you every morning. To want you involved in my family, my work, my weekends, my vacations, my bad moods, and all the boring shit in between.”

My eyes filled with tears.

“I know what it feels like to want forever with someone.”

He reached inside his pocket, pulled out a small velvet box, and got down on one knee. I’d literally stopped breathing as my heart pounded out of my chest. He took hold of my left hand.

“Simon.”

“I wanted to do this here. Because this is where everything started.” He flipped open the box, and my right hand flew over my mouth when I saw the exquisite diamond ring.

“I don’t want another arrangement with you, sweetheart. I don’t want an expiration date. I love you more than I ever thought I could love anyone. You’re my forever and always will be. Will you marry me, Bella?”

“I love you so much, Simon. Yes, of course I’ll marry you.” Tears started streaming down my face.

He took the ring from the box, slipped it on my finger, stood up, and wrapped me in his arms. He broke our embrace, cupped my face in his hands, and kissed me.

“You have made me so happy, Bella.” His thumb swept over my lips.

I held out my hand in front of me and stared at the gorgeous ring on my finger. “Not as happy as you’ve made me, Simon.”

“Do you like the ring?” he asked.

“It’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen. You picked this out on your own?” I smiled.

“With a little help from my dad.”

“Your dad knows?” I asked.

“He came with me.”

More tears started to fill my eyes as I stared at him. “Oh, Simon.”

“Why are you crying again?” he asked.