Page 130 of Pinch

I turn to walk slowly back into the master bedroom with its pine floors and exposed brick walls. “Ourhome?”

“I wanted to do this at the game, but it got all fucked up.”He reaches into his pocket, taking out a little blue pouch withTiffany’sstamped on the side.

From it, he removes a shining silver ring, and my breath disappears. It has a massive, pear-shaped stone in the center with two smaller baguettes on either side, and I realize when he slides it onto my third finger, it’s in the shape of a crown. Tears immediately flood my eyes. He’s giving me back my crown.

“I’ve known from the minute I met you, Princess, you were the only woman for me, and every day we’ve spent together, I’ve only known it more. And to top it all, you’re having my baby? Damn, Haddy, nothing would make me happier than to have you as my wife. I don’t want to live another day without you in it. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”

I have to tell myself to breathe. “Gavin…” My lips part with my inhale. “It’s so beautiful… It’s all so beautiful… I?—”

“Is that a yes?” His eye squints, and I’m nodding hard, tears falling onto my cheeks as I laugh.

“It’s a massive yes, a million thousand times yes!” I step forward to throw my arms around his neck.

Warm lips cover mine, and even Lucy gives my stomach a hard push, which makes my chin drop with a laugh. “We’re all saying yes.”

“Welcome home.” His eyes meet mine. “I’ll let the realtor know tomorrow. I can finally get my shit out of storage.”

“And it’s right across the street from Gigi and Mav!”

“I figured that might sweeten the deal.” He’s grinning, and I hug my body close to his side.

“You didn’t need to sweeten anything. I’d have said yes even if we were staying in my bedroom.”

“It’s still your bedroom, only slightly larger and more private.”

We walk down the hall, and I see what will make a perfect baby’s room. “How did this happen?”

“I’ve been looking for places since I got here. You know that, but when things got more serious between us, I changed the location of my search.” He shrugs. “It just so happened these guys wanted to move to the beach. They’re headed to Malibu, and we’re headed here.”

Shaking my head, I scoop up Patsy, and pause at the front door, taking one more look at the warm, cozy space. “I can’t wait to start nesting!”

“It’s that time.” He lifts my hand and kisses the back. “Fit it out with all the twigs and leaves and moss you want. Break the bank.”

Rising onto my tiptoes, I kiss his scruffy square jaw. “You’ve always been so good to me, Gavin Knight. I love you.”

His large hand cups the side of my face, and he kisses me gently. “I know.”

Wrinkling my nose, I give the place one more look. “There will be no twigs or moss in our nest. It’s going to be beautiful.”

Gigi is waiting for us when we get to the house, iPad in hand. Spanky is hopping all around her like he always does when we FaceTime with the family.

“Did she say yes?” My cousin’s green eyes are bright, and she’s smiling so big.

I nod quickly, and I hear a rally of cheers coming from the device in her hand. She holds it up, and it’s a group call with all the cousins, my parents, Gav’s parents, everyone arranged in tiles on the screen.

“How could I not?” I cry. “He bought me a whole house, and look at this ring!”

I hold up my hand so she can capture it on the screen.

“It looks like a crown!” Elaine cries.

“It’s perfect for you!” Kim adds.

“I helped pick it out,” My mom calls, which makes me so happy.

“I love it—thank you, Mom!”

No one was with me when I carefully packaged the sash, crown, and scepter and sent them all back to the organization.