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“Okay. What do you need me to do?”

“Chores and art. I need you to mop the kitchen floor, vacuum all the rugs, and do the dishes—the old-school way. No dishwasher allowed. Do this for a month.”

I stared at her as the wild demand sparked a flurry of crazy images in my head. I hadn’t done these chores in a long time. “We have a cleaning service to do all that.”

“But I wantyouto do it. There’s joy in cleaning up your own mess. Plus, positive energy loves it when you—the homeowner—put in the work.” She smirked. “How much do you love me? Let me count the ways.”

“Tomorrow can be day one,” I said, taking on the challenge.

She smiled. “Are you sure about this?”

“Do you need me to draft up a contract?”

She smirked. “No.”

“So that means you’re moving back with me today?”

“How else will I monitor these chores?” She smiled and rested her head on my shoulder. “I’ll get you a pretty apron to wear while you clean, Whistler.”

“I’ll wear whatever you want. I’ll even clean in the nude for you.”

She laughed, and I had my Lily Pad back. “About the contract?—”

“It never really existed. I never gave it to my lawyer.” I kissed her lips gently. “It was just a piece of paper to help you believe I would help you.”

“You’re such a cunning man.” She shifted to straddle me and cupped my face, squishing my cheeks together. “You asked my mom for her permission to marry me?”

“I did, and she said yes.”

“When did you plan on telling me this?”

“I wanted to right away, but you didn’t want to talk to me.”

She sighed. “I’m confused?—”

I gently extricated myself from her, dropped to my knees, and pulled out a gold box. “I never got the chance to ask you like this. So I want to fill in all the blank spaces now.” My heart thundered with anticipation. “Will you marry me, Vanessa?”

More tears overflowed her eyes. “Yes, you silly man.”

Rising, I slid the brilliant-cut diamond ring on a petrified wooden band that matched her other ring onto her finger.

“It’s gorgeous and so unique.” She stared at the ring, moving her hand so it caught the sunlight. “I love it.”

“I’m happy to hear that.”

Vanessa embraced me, pushed me back down on the couch, and straddled my hips again. It seemed like this was her preferred position. “But you still need to do the chores.”

I laughed. “Okay.”

With sparkling eyes, she squished my face. “There’s one more part to the groveling.”

“What is it?” I asked through puckered lips.

“I want you to sketch a hundred images. It can be of anything. This will inspire you to create art again.”

“Done.”

“That was easy.” She gave me a loud, sloppy kiss.