Page 92 of One Little Kiss

“I don’t need any more time. I want to marry you. I want to make a life with you and Wes. I want you to be my family. Someday, I want to make a bigger family with you, but I want you to go to law school first because I want you to have everything. I won’t pressure you to get married tomorrow, although I would really fucking love that. And I should probably tell you now, I want a big wedding. I want to see you float down the aisle knowing I’m the one you chose.” When she doesn’t speak, I pull out the card I didn’t want to use. “And an engagement will put us firmly ahead of your father in the eyes of the court.”

“Are you asking me for Wes?” Her voice shakes and is barely audible, but I hear her fear.

“No, Winnie. I’m not. He’s just a bonus. It may have moved up our timeline a bit, but I was always going to ask you to marry me. I think that’s why I got spooked in Boston when I first saw you. My heart knew what took my brain a little longer to figure out.”

“I’m not sure I’ll be good at it.”

Standing, I take the seat next to her, aware that we’re drawing stares from neighboring tables but not giving a fuck. I need to be closer to her. “Not good at what, sweetheart?”

“Family-ing. I’ve never had one. It was always just me and my mom.” New tears fall down her cheeks and it tears me to shreds. Yanking her from her chair, I pull her into my lap so I can hold her.

“That’s the best part, CC. There were no rules about what makes up a family in my house growing up. Family is exactly what you make of it. It sounds like you and your mom were the perfect family, and I want to be part of that, just like I want you to be a part of my crazy, ever-expanding chaos.”

“Thisis crazy, Colton.”

“I love you, Winnie. With my whole heart.”

“I’m scared.” We’ve been in our own little bubble this whole time, but I’m becoming aware that chatter around us has quieted. She glances around and flushes, noticing it, too. She attempts to stand, but I hold her still.

“Do you trust me?”

She pulls back to search my eyes. Nose to nose, I know I could stare into her gray depths for the rest of my life and die a happy man. “I think I trust you more than anyone I’ve ever trusted in my life. But that terrifies me. You could ruin me, Colton.”

Grasping her chin, I let the emotion show in my eyes. “I will never do that. I’ll mess up. Probably a lot, but I’ll always, always be by your side. Please, baby. Trust me to catch you.” She opens her mouth, but I hush her with a kiss. “Please say yes, CC.”

I don’t release her lips, so her response is mumbled, but I’m pretty sure she just said yes, and my chest nearly explodes with a happiness I was sure didn’t exist. And before her, it didn’t.

“Is that a yes?” I beg when I finally release her face.

She nods, sending tears splattering to my chest. “Yes. It’s a yes.”

I’m standing before she gets the s out. Clutching her to my chest, I spin her in a small circle. “She said yes,” I shout much too loudly for the intimate atmosphere, but applause and cheers ring out just as the chef exits the kitchen.

I place Winnie on her feet as he approaches.

“This is very fitting,” he says with a sad smile. “We had a proposal on opening night many years ago. It sends us off with good luck on our last. Have you ordered yet?”

“No, sorry. We got a little sidetracked,” I explain.

“Very good. Very good. Let me prepare something special, just for you.”

“That would be amazing. Thank you.” Reaching out, I shake his hand. “I need to put my ring on my girl now.” The chef grins and leaves me to it with a dramatic bow.

Sitting Winnie in her chair, I crouch down in front of her. I open the box and pull out the delicate band of pave diamonds with a single round solitaire. It’s two karats, but not ostentatious. I had the jeweler intertwine a small ring of diamonds around the center stone with all three of our birthstones.

I slip it on her finger, and she gets a good look at it for the first time. “The center stone signifies our love. The outer ring has our birthstones, signifying us. Our family. I thought Wes should be part of it.”

“I-I don’t know what to say, Colton. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

“Then you know how I feel every time I look at you. We have a lot to figure out. Weston’s therapies. Your piece of shit father. But I’ll be there for it all, Winnie. I promise you. For better or worse, you’re mine. And I’m yours.”

“You’re mine,” she murmurs as a waiter places the first course in front of us.

A cork pops next to me. Someone pours champagne, and I have the overwhelming feeling that my life is just beginning.

CHAPTER29

WINNIE