Page 103 of Jessica's Hero

Kane’s forehead wrinkles. “I don’t know. For privacy? To do… crafts or something? You could have a whole knitting station out there with special holders for your yarn.”

“Kane.” I’m gently scolding. “The closet in the office is just fine. And I don’t need privacy. I love spending as much time as I can with you.”

His hand stills mid-stroke through my hair. “Jess. Me too.”

I kiss his neck, nuzzling my face against his warmskin. “I’m so happy. I can’t remember ever feeling this happy, really. And it’s because of you.”

“Sweetheart.”

He takes a deep breath. Exhales slowly. Then he slowly starts to get up. “Stay here,” he says. “Let me just grab a towel to clean up.”

The moment when he pulls out always comes with an intense sense of loss. An emptiness only Kane can fill. Though the igloo is toasty warm thanks to the heaters running, a little chill still washes over me when he leaves the couch.

But, fortunately, I don’t have to suffer his loss long. In less than a minute, we’re snuggled back on the couch together, with a fuzzy blue blanket wrapped around us.

“Are you comfortable?” he asks as he tucks the blanket more tightly around me. “I can turn the heaters up if you want. Or grab another blanket.”

I kiss his cheek. “I’m perfect.” My gaze jumps to the spread of charcuterie on the table beside us. “Do you want any more cheese? Or wine?”

He follows my gaze before turning his attention back to me. “No, I’m good.” Then he pauses. Tenses. Something indecipherable dances in his eyes. A tiny muscle ticks in his jaw.

“Kane. Are you okay?”

“Of course.” His smile is immediate, but strained. And upon further inspection, I think I see a hint of fear in Kane’s eyes.

“Are you sure?” I persist. “Because it goes both ways, remember? I’m supposed to tell you if anything bothers me. And you’re supposed to do the same.”

“Nothing’s wrong. I promise.” Kane draws in a long breath. “I just… I want to ask you something.”

“Okay?” I catch his hand, surprised to feel it trembling slightly. “What is it?”

“Well.” He hesitates. “Maybe it’s too soon. But… after everything, it made me realize how I don’t want to waste any time. Especially when it comes to people I care about.Especiallywhen it comes to you.”

Then he reaches beneath the couch and pulls out a small box.

My heart trips. Stumbles.

My breath catches.

“I told myself I should wait,” Kane continues. “But… I don’t want to.”

“Wait for what?”

“Wait to ask you to marry me.”

Then he flips open the box to reveal a ring inside.

One with a diamond at the center and twin sapphires on either side.

Time freezes.

Voice shaking, Kane says, “This was the ring my dad gave to my mom. I brought it to the jeweler and had the accent diamonds switched out with sapphires, so it would be special just for you. But if you want a new ring, that’s okay, too. I’ll buy you whatever you want. A blue diamond, if you want. Or all sapphires. Or?—”

It’s hard to hear his words above the whooshing of my heart.

“Kane. Are you asking me to marry you?”

“Oh.” Pink tinges his cheeks. “Yes. I guess I should have started with that part first.” With a hopeful look in his eyes, he continues, “I love you, Jessica Day. With all myheart. I want you to be my first and last love. My wife. My partner. The person I share everything with.”