Page 133

I understand his need to have me believe him. He’s completely the opposite of what I initially thought he was, but he still feels the need to prove it every day.

I cradle his face with my shaking hands. “You’re a good man, Austin Black. And I’ve never loved anyone as much as I love you. But I already said yes. You don’t need to convince me to marry you. It’s a dream come true to be loved by a man like you.”

I kiss him softly, tears tracking down my cheeks and mingling with our lips. His tongue licks along the seam of my lips, and I open for him. I smile into his mouth, my only wish being that I could call my parents to tell them. But a flurry of snow whips around us, causing us both to break apart. The still air and blue skies surround us, except for a little tornado spinning around us. As soon as the snow is lifted, the wind stops, and snowflakes flutter back down around us. I know in my heart my parents are here; it’s their little sign to say they approve.

He rests his head on mine, taking a few breaths.

“I have two more things for you if it’s okay?” he asks, with an edge of anxiousness.

He pulls out a second velvet box. I frown, confused as to why he would bring two rings.

“Firstly, or secondly”—he laughs—“you might not want to wear your engagement ring when you’re working out or doing your videos or runs or whatever else you’re doing. But I’d love for you to wear something.”

He opens the box to a second ring, this time a band of diamonds lined across a gold band. It’s stunning in its own way, but not nearly as regal as the one he gave me first.

“They’re still diamonds.” He laughs. “But I guess they won’t catch on to anything as easily.”

“You’re too generous, Austin. So thoughtful. I love the idea, and I’ll absolutely wear at least one at a time. Thank you.” I kiss him again, and he smiles, letting out a big breath. His shoulders relax a little, and I laugh at how nervous this big beast of a man is—such a gentle giant.

“And finally. I have this.” He pulls out a Ghostface mask that’s covered in pink glitter.

I throw my head back and laugh.

“Oh my gosh, I love it. You want me to be the villain?”

“I thought we could team up. Maybe now that you’re going to be Mrs. Black, you could be Mrs. Masked Man as well.”

“Oh my god, the channel is going to love this. People will eat it up.”

“I’ll eat you up, Killer,” he murmurs against my lips.

“Promise?”

He winks, helping me to my feet. My knees practically shake from a mixture of adrenaline and kneeling in the snow for so long.

We’ll announce our engagement in a few weeks, but we’ll keep that recording just for us. We do a mock one where Austin offers me the mask on one knee, and we do one shot pretending to kiss through the masks and another where we both lean our heads eerily to the side. We watch them back, and I can’t help but jump up and down in excitement. His goofiness and his indulgent nature warm me fully, even out in the snow.

I can’t wait to get back to our lives together. Home truly is in Austin now—in more ways than one.