Page 123 of Pervade Montego Bay

My heart thundered and I wondered why they were only telling me this now. Yet, I knew to trust Xavier…trust this moment. We had all fought so hard to get here. There was no room for doubt. I surrendered to the faith I had in them.

Xavier smiled at me. “James has invited us to move in.”

“Here?” I asked breathlessly.

His grin grew wider as he nodded.

“Emily, we can’t know what the future brings,” James said. “That will never be something we can control. You and I and Xavier…”

I rose so I could sit on his lap. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I snuggled against his firm chest and his strong arms wrapped around my waist, his soft cologne stirring my senses with its heady tones.

“Oh, James.” I kissed him along his jaw line and then my lips found his mouth.

I didn’t want to ask why or how he’d changed his mind—I just wanted to settle into this blissful feeling for as long as possible.

He leaned back a little. “I can’t imagine life without either of you.”

“I love you,” I whispered. “Both of you. So much.”

“Go show Em your surprise,” said James.

“Are you sure?” asked Xavier.

James gestured to the countertop. “I’ll finish dinner.”

Xavier led me out of the back of the house and pulled me along the dock. Right at the end was a strange looking speedboat with large metal flaps on either side. I knew what this was, but a thousand questions crowded my mind. We clambered inside the two-seater boat. Xavier pulled on a headset and talked into it—asking for permission to take off.

My expression must have been incredulous. As far as I knew, Xavier couldn’t fly a plane.

“This belongs to Louis. He’s leant it to us.” Xavier punched the controls on the front panel. “He taught me how to fly it last week.”

Unable to catch my breath, I watched in awe as he navigated the boat away from its mooring. Out the window, the large white metal flap glided downward and become a wing. The same thing was happening on his side, too.

I flashed him a look of surprise that we were really doing this. Then I felt a jolt of fear that Xavier had only just learned to fly. I knew he picked up things quickly, but still.

We quickly gained speed as we took off across the ocean.

I covered my mouth with my palm to prevent a scream from escaping.

Soon, I relaxed as Xavier showed just how competent he was at controlling the unique machine. My grin was ridiculously wide as we lifted off the water, and I clutched the side as we banked right along the coast. Beneath us, the ocean was vast and shimmering with its crystal green and blue water. My heart soared as the coastal homes shrank and the sand and palm trees brightened the view. I felt giddy with excitement.

We flew low over the water until all that was in our line of sight was an endless blue unfolding into a bright clear sky.

“Emily.” Xavier reached into his jacket pocket. “Will you marry me?”

He was doing this now!

With me heady and nearly hyperventilating from shock, he held out a small black box.

Even though he’d asked me once before and given me an engagement ring, I knew this was him offering us a new beginning. Xavier slipped the ring onto my left ring finger and I admired the striking sapphire and diamonds.

“It’s beautiful,” I said breathlessly.

“Is it still ayes,Em?”

Reaching for his hand, I threaded my fingers through his. “It’s always been yes.”

“I’m glad.”