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“Now what?” His light eyes twinkle. I’ve never met someone whose eyes legit twinkle, but Trey’s do. Always when he’s up to no good, scheming to get his way or covering some mischievous shit he’s already done.

I love it. Love him. Fuck, do I love him.

Forgoing words, I crawl up the large bed. The feather pillow fluffs under my soft pats before I lie down, curling on my side. Extending a hand back, I pat the area directly behind me.

“Cuddling, that’s what I want to do. You're the big spoon.” Eyes closed, I feel every jostle of the bed as he moves up it to lie beside me. Warmth radiates off him, seeping into my back as he snuggles close. A heavy arms drapes over my hip, situating our lower halves until I'm tucked as tight against him as possible. “Thank you,” I whisper, the smooth sheets brushing along my lips with the two words. “I just need a few minutes, okay?”

“I'm here as long as you need me, Mess.”

Several moments pass without another word. The issues of the day fall away, leaving my mind gloriously empty except for the thoughts surrounding the man behind me.

“Trouble?” I whisper, careful to not shatter the perfectly normal moment.

“Mess.”

“Tell me something good.”

“This. Right here, right now with you.”

My cheek glides along the pillowcase as I smile. “What else?”

“I've seen countless pieces of art in my life in museums all around the world, owned a few even. But for the first time in my life, because of you, I’m truly able to comprehend the meaning of something being priceless. That's you, Mess. One of a kind. Priceless.”

I flip over, putting us nose to nose. I press my trembling lips to his. “Thank you,” I whisper.

“For what?” A deep line forms between his brows.

“For reminding me of my value when I can't see it myself.”

“Every day for the rest of my life, Randi, I'll remind you, because it would be a fucking sin for you to ever believe you're anything less.”

A lone tear slips from the corner of my left eye and trickles down my cheek until it's absorbed by the pillowcase. I scrape the pads of my fingers over the scruff along his jawline before delving into his silky hair.

“I love you,” I croak. A lump of restrained emotion makes the words raspy and quiet. “Today, tomorrow, the next day, and the day after that. Don't ever leave me.” His lids droop, long dark lashes fluttering closed. “I wouldn't survive it.”

Honey brown eyes search my own. Excitement and energy roll off him in pulsing waves as he shoves an elbow into the mattress and hovers just over me. Swooping low, he steals a pulse-racing kiss before pulling back.

“Marry me.”

“What?” I somehow manage around the astounded shock freezing every cell in my body.

“Marry me.” Interlacing our fingers, he brings the hand to his mouth and presses his soft lips to each knuckle. “We're stronger together, and then everyone will know you're mine. No more hiding, no sneaking around like we're doing something wrong.”

My heart thunders against my ribs, threatening to crack bone as he anxiously waits for my answer.

“I, um….” Too many thoughts and what-ifs barrel through. “Trouble… Trey,” I start, not knowing how to explain what I’m feeling.

The joy drains from his face, leaving a sad, forlorn expression in its place.

I suck in a breath, readying to defend myself and help him understand. “No, stop,” I command as he retreats back to the mattress, avoiding my attempts to snag his attention. His bicep slips from my grasp. Flopping to his back, Trey glowers at the ceiling. “Of course I want to marry you.” His eyes shifting in a side-eye stare to where I lie is the only acknowledgment that he’s listening. “But now? We've never even talked about that step. And—” I bite my lip and lock my focus on the bedside lamp as I figure out a way to word this. “—you didn't really ask me.”

“Sure I did,” he defends.

Shaking my head, I release a heavy sigh. “It was more of a demand than an ask.”

“I thought you liked it when I was demanding.”

I grimace. “Yeah I do, but this is different. And maybe I'm a traditional girl and want the whole proposal… I don't know, planned?”