Page 185 of One Good Crash

Ididknow that. I loved him. And I could think of nothing better in this whole world than to spend the rest of my life with him. I felt myself nod.

He whispered, "That's my girl." And then, he said it. "Cassidy…"

I could hardly breathe. "Yeah?"

"Will you marry me?"

A choked laugh escaped my lips. "Yes."

Epilogue

I almost tackled him right then and there. Probably, the only thing that stopped me was the realization that getting both of us banged up on the sidewalk would be a horrible waste, considering what I desperately wanted to do next.

So instead, I reached out and tugged him to his feet, giving him nearly no time at all to slip the ring on my finger. But when he did, I realized something – something I should've known all along.

I wasn't my mom. I couldn’t be, even if I tried. Oh sure, on the outside, we might've been twins. But on the inside, we were two different people entirely.

I loved Jax – and for all the right reasons. I would've loved him just the same if he drove a van or moved boxes for a living.

Maybe I was funny that way. But how could I help it? He was, well, simply amazing.

Almost in a dream, we walked hand-in-hand, heading toward the apartment. Allie had just left for a week-long trip out of town, which meant that Jax and I could celebrate in style, and I didn't mean with a fancy dinner or public display.

As we walked, we swapped secrets back and forth. He admitted everything that I'd suspected him of doing. And me? Well, I admitted that I loved all of it, even if I felt a little funny sometimes.

We practically burst through the apartment door, working at our buttons as we moved. I'd missed him so very much, and we had some serious making up to do.

Funny though, we never got the chance, at least not in my apartment, because we'd barely reached the sofa when a thump sounded from the rear of the apartment.

I froze. And so did Jax.

Unless I was mistaken, the sound had come from Allie's bedroom. I stifled a giggle. "Oh, crap."

Jax flashed me a grin and murmured, "No kidding."

I whispered, "But her flight left at six." Or at least, I'dthoughtit was leaving at six.Maybe it was delayed?

I glanced at the side table near the door. Sure enough, her purse was right there where she usually dropped it.

Still, I refused to see this as a totally bad thing.

I wanted Jax so bad I could taste it, but the thought of telling Allie was impossible to resist. I whispered, "Would you mind waiting just a second? I'd really like to tell her."

He smiled. "Hey, you're worth the wait. I'll tell ya what. Remember that suite at The Plaza?"

I gave a happy nod.

He reached for my hand. "Let's go back."

I couldn’t help but snicker. "Only if there's lobster, and plenty of it."

He grinned. "Well, aren't you getting spoiled."

"I hope not."

"Yeah? Well, I hopeso. In fact, you just wait. I'm gonna guarantee it."

It was a wonderful thing to say, but the way I saw it, I wasalreadyspoiled, and I told him so with a long, lingering kiss.

And then, laughing, I bounded away, heading toward Allie's room. After only a single knock, I barged in, only to stop in stunned disbelief.

She wasn't alone. She wasn't even clothed. And neither was the guy with her. And just whowasthat guy?

My future brother-in-law.

Jaden Bishop.

What the hell?

The End