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Suddenly, from every cubicle in the room and every office, more roses pop up…way up…as my coworkers all stand on their chairs holding bouquets. Pink, white, yellow, lavender—every springtime hue one could possibly imagine, dozens and dozens of them, rustling, shaking, petals raining down. The room fills with the sweet scent of new love, their smiles dotting the floral landscape like pearl necklaces to accompany Kase’s diamond.
I can’t speak through my tears. Is this for real? Is this really happening to me?
A little patience was all that was needed. This is more than I ever expected. Be Kase Hardwin’s wife? The wife of one of NYC’s most sought-after bachelors? Who’s been in the news and women everywhere have wanted him ever more after learning about his heartbreaking custody case?
I want to freeze this moment in my mind forever. The smiles, the faces hinged on my reply, even Liam as he reaches for roses everywhere, his big blue eyes filled with wonder. I haven’t known Kase for very long, yet I know he’s my man. I’ll have all my life to get to know him more deeply, and it can only get better now that he’s opened his heart.
“Yes,” I say, beaming. “I’ll be your wife, Kase.”
The office erupts into cheers and laughter, and my coworkers all hug each other as though this celebration has been for them. And maybe it has. Maybe the love we make is for everyone, to give others hope, because if I can get engaged to this complex, sweet man, anyone can find happiness.
Kase slides the ring onto my finger and stands. I can’t stop looking at the ring. I mean, holy shit, it’s HUGE! Then again, everything about Kase is huge. I snort at my own thought. With one finger, he tips up my chin and gazes down at me. How I’ve missed those eyes, those lips. “Thank you,” he says then kisses me. And it’s the most rewarding, lovely kiss ever. Another moment to frame and cherish in my mind.
He’s mine.
Kase Hardwin is mine. Maybe I earned him. Or maybe I just got lucky. But for whatever reason, I’m now his woman, and he’s my man, and I’ll keep doing whatever I need to do to keep him forever.
Cassie can’t hold Liam anymore. He’s wriggled in her arms so much, he literally leaps out and holds onto Kase’s arm for support. “Hey there, kiddo, you want in on this hug, too, don’t you?” Kase pulls him into our embrace, and now it’s a group hug.
“I love you, Kase. And I love Liam. I can’t wait for us to become a family.”
“We already were one, Alana,” Kase says through a sad, reflective smile. “I should’ve seen it before, but I was too scared to acknowledge it. Both of you are everything to me. If I lose you, I lose you. It’s a risk I have to take.”
I know how losing us has always been his demon. “But you won’t lose us, Kase. We’ll be here a long, long time, and so will you.” I pull his face down gently and give him the softest, sweetest kiss I can muster. Suddenly, I feel little fingers on my cheek, as Liam leans in and drops a kiss on my cheek, too.
My family.
My loves.
My life.