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“Gus.” She whispered between kisses. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
He leaned back to look at her and smiled at the tears he found in her eyes. “I love you, Merritt. I think I have since the moment you plowed me down with your car.”
She laughed, causing a tear to slip down her cheek.
He kissed the salty trail it left behind. “I was afraid to tell you how I felt because I didn’t want to lose you. I wanted you to stay with me. And I hoped maybe your feelings would change before the year was over. But when I heard you talking to Adelia …” The pain of it returned and he paused. “I had to let you go.”
She ran her fingers through the hair above his ear. “I’m sorry you misheard that conversation.”
He shook his head. “I should’ve talked to you before I called Rex. I just didn’t want you to feel trapped in this situation. I wanted you to have your freedom, and I hoped that maybe someday there would be a way to have you in my life. Even if only as a friend.”
“I don’t want to be only friends.”
“What do you want?” He wanted to hear her say it again.
But instead, she stepped back and dropped to one knee.
His mouth fell open. “Mer, what are you doing?”
She smiled up at him as she took hold of his hand. “Augustus Paul Schultz, will you marry me … again?”
He chuckled as he pulled her up from the floor, scooping her into his arms as if carrying her over a threshold.
She let out a surprised cry and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Is that a yes?”
“That’s a heck yes. I’d marry you again this minute.”
“I’d like a real wedding. One I can invite my parents and friends to. Can we do that?”
He brushed his nose against hers. “Yes, baby. We can do whatever you want.”
She kissed his lips softly, then gazed into his eyes. “Whatever I want?” The look she gave him quickened his pulse.
“You drive me crazy, you know that?” He nuzzled her neck and pressed a kiss there.
The sound of Gerard clearing his throat turned their attention his way.
“Your family is waiting, sir.”
He placed Merritt back on solid ground and took her hand as Gerard motioned them toward the kitchen.
“Good morning, darling.” Mom greeted him with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Morning, Mom,” he replied with a squeeze.
“Come, sit,” she told them.
Gus was surprised to see Sebastian and Genevieve seated at the breakfast table with their father. “I thought you two were on your honeymoon.”
“We rerouted here first. We’re leaving tonight,” Sebastian replied.
Gus hesitantly sat down in a seat between Skylar and Merritt. Why did it feel like he was about to be ganged up on?
“Merritt told us why you were coming home,” Dad said.
Gus swallowed hard. “She did?” His eyes turned to Merritt, and she gave him a supportive closed-mouth smile.
“I’m sorry, Augustus.”