Page 179 of Riding the Sugar High

“So, on my way to see you, I went to a jewelry store and bought this.”

I look at the ring for the first time—a thin golden band with a light pink gem. Perfectly me. “I love it.”

“I knew you would.” He inhales and exhales, watching my eyes with content ease. “I kept this ring with me all the time, and the only reason I haven’t given it to you yet is that I didn’t know you were ready for it. You haven’t talked about it besides saying that you’d like to get married at some point, and I didn’t want to spook you.”

I wish I’d had the same thought when I shouted at him that he should propose in front of all his employees.

“But Idowant to marry you. I want to be with you forever.” He smiles. “I also want to get up, because the guys won’t let me live this down, so...” He kisses the top of my hand, eyes stuck on mine. “Primrose Bellevue?—”

“I’m pregnant.”

A shrieked ‘What?’ emerges from the group—it sounded like Kyle—but I can’t look away from Logan. He seems confused, as if he’s suddenly forgotten how to speak English.

“You...you...” His lifted arm drops. “Is it mine?” When my fear morphs into anger, he shakes his head. “N-no, that’s a stupid question. I, uh...”

I’m going to stomp on his head.

“We’re having a baby,” he whispers. His shoulders rise and fall fast, and though I wish he hadn’t saidthat, I can’t be mad at him. He’s doing so much better these days that I forget he’s still working on his anxiety. On his trauma.

I kneel in front of him and take his hand in mine. “Are you okay?”

He’s as white as a sheet as he lifts his gaze off the ground. “Are you?”

“I think so.” Though I definitely planned to wait a little longer, after sleeping on it, I can confidently say I’m happy about it. And Logan just proposed, which means he must be somewhat ready for the next stage in our lives. Doesn’t mean he’s ready to be a dad, though.

“Because you know I’ll support you no matter what you decide—about this or anything else.”

“I know, but I...I want this.” I tuck his hair behind his ear. “How doyoufeel about it?”

He blinks, and tears fall down his cheeks. I think they’re happy tears, but I need him to say something.

His arm wraps around me, gently pulling me forward. Once my face is buried in his chest, he fits his in the nook of my neck, and his soft tears turn into full-fledged sobs. I rub a soothing hand on his back, and he peppers my shoulder with kisses. “I was so afraid, Barbie. I was terrified.”

“I’m...I’m sorry. I just needed some time to process it. I hate that I worried you.”

“No.” He sniffles, grasping my face with both hands. “Before I met you, I was so scared this would never happen.” He kisses my chin, my lips, my cheeks. “And now I have you.” Another peck on my nose, my forehead, then my hairline. “And you love me so much you want to marry me.” The kisses keep raining down on me, and I fight against the overwhelming emotions I feel. “And now I’m going to be a dad.”

When he breaks into sobs again, I hug him. I’ve never seen him cry like this—never seen him so happy either. It makes me wish I’d told him immediately.

Clearing his throat, he pulls back and smiles. “Okay, let me do this right.” He shows me the ring, then cups my face with the other hand. “Primrose Bellevue, I found the ultimate reason not to date you.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.” He kisses my lips. “Because if that’s okay with you, I’d rather marry you.”

I nod, and though I don’t have it with me, I mentally strike through the last item on my list. Not ‘marry me,’ no.

Give me a happily ever after.

THE END