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They didn’t have any furniture, let alone towels. But if she wanted a shower, he’d make sure she didn’t care about anything but the way he loved her.

Because he planned to do that until the day he died.

The tattoo wasn’t the only surprise he had planned for her.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

It wasn’t often they opened the bar late on a Saturday, but this was a special occasion. April tenth. Mason’s birthday. One he got to spend with everyone he loved, instead of on a case that kept him away from family and friends.

Lyric had invited everyone. His whole family arrived in Blackrock Falls early to check out their finished house. Then they all made their way here for an early dinner. Between his family, friends from the FBI, and her family, they had quite the crowd gathered in the bar. Far too many to have at their place all at once. Mason told her when they planned the event.

It had been a great party. She saw the appreciation he had for the people in his life. Most especially her. She wanted this to last a little longer, to keep the joy on his face and in his heart as long as possible. He’d take the memories with him. Ones he’d wanted to make for a long time when he’d been deep undercover, protecting those he loved by staying away and doing an important job.

She stood by his side as everyone sang him “Happy Birthday,” his arm around her back, hand on her hip. He’d kept her close all day, wanting her to be a part of everything with him.

“Make a wish,” she said before he blew out the candles.

“Sing memysong again.”

She couldn’t deny him the request. “Of course I will.”

He blew out the candles, took her hand, and led her to the stage, where her guitar had already been set up.

She eyed him, sensing that strange nervous energy about him that she’d felt several times today. To please him, she took the guitar, stood at the mic, and sang him his song.

Her fingers strummed the strings, the chords filling the room, along with her voice as she stared into his eyes and sang, “What’s your name?” The song and words flowed out of her. His gaze locked on her, intense and filled with love.

Everyone else in the room disappeared from her awareness. It felt like it was just her and him and the love they shared.

And then she got to the end of the song and sang, “And all I want is... your last name.” Before the final chord whispered out, he dropped to one knee and held up a beautiful, oval diamond ring.

“All I want is you.”

She pressed her fingers to her lips and tried so hard not to cry, but the tears gathered in her eyes and slipped down her cheeks.

“You want to know my wish?” he asked. “That the smart, strong, loving, brilliant songwriter, the kindest person I’ve ever known, would be my wife. You have my heart, my soul, everything I am. You can have my last name, too. Will you marry me?”

She’d nodded all through those words.

She barely noticed when someone released theguitar strap and took the instrument away, because she was too busy sayingYes.

She reached for Mason as he stood and came into her arms, kissing her like she’d granted every wish he’d ever had.

“I love you,” he said against her lips, then deepened it again, holding her close, making her feel loved and protected and cherished like only he’d ever made her feel.

It took her a second to realize the noise surrounding them was their family and friends clapping and cheering.

Mason brushed his lips to hers once, twice, then stared down at her. “Were you really surprised?”

“Yes.” She’d had no idea. “It’s your birthday. I didn’t think you’d propose today.”

“You’re the only gift I really want.” He pulled up her hand and kissed her tattooed wrist, then slid the diamond ring on her finger. “Do you like it?”

She placed her hand on his chest and stared at the glittering stone. “It’s beautiful, but no comparison to the way you love me.”

He swept his hand up under her hair, tilted her face up to his, and kissed her again.

Before they knew it, they were showered with congratulations. She got a lot of hugs. Mason received a bunch of hearty smacks on the back. But it did Lyric’s heart good to see Hawk kiss Mason on the head, then try to come to do the same with her. Mason stopped him, but Nick snuck in and kissed her on the forehead instead.