Page 52

Chapter Fifty-Two

IZZIE – TWO AND A HALF MONTHS LATER

W hen Jackson asked me to move in with him at Jane and Chad’s wedding, I didn’t take him seriously. Emotions were running high, and paired with alcohol, that wasn’t a good combination for making reasonable decisions.

But a week after the wedding—and once my mother realized she had another daughter she could harass about relationships—I caved and asked Jackson if he was serious about me moving in. Long story short, we’ve been living together for two and half months, and it’s the best decision I’ve made in a long time.

We’re not only compatible in bed, but we’re also a perfect match in every aspect of our lives. It’s corny to say, but he brings out the best in me, and I’d like to believe I do the same for him.

During the summer, we stayed mainly at his ranch. It was closer to my work and my parents, plus it’s Jackson’s favorite place, and mine too. But now that season has started, we split our time between the ranch and his house in Miami.

Jackson had a game on Friday, but by some miracle, he was free this weekend. So after his Friday game, we drove to the ranch to have some quiet time before his trip to Finland, where he’ll be playing in the NHL World Series against the Boston Zodiacs. The team leaves for Helsinki after their Tuesday game against the Chicago Crows, and they’ll be gone an entire week.

I’m in the kitchen preparing a light lunch when Jackson finds me. He stops behind me and kisses my shoulder. “What are you making?”

“Chicken salad. I was thinking sandwiches for lunch.”

“Sounds good. Are you almost done?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“It finally stopped raining. We can go for a horseback ride.”

I look out the window. “I didn’t notice the rain had stopped.”

“Yeah, all the clouds have pretty much dispersed.”

It’s been raining since we got here, so we couldn’t take the horses out. Jackson is extra careful now when it comes to the weather. He hasn’t forgotten the time I got caught in a storm and was left behind in the downpour.

I cover the bowl of chicken salad. “Great. Let’s do it!”

* * *

JACKSON

It’s a miracle Izzie didn’t notice anything was wrong with me. I’ve been a nervous wreck since we got to the ranch. I had plans, and the weather threatened to put a wrench on them. I knew there was the possibility of rain, but I didn’t expect it to pour nonstop the entire day yesterday. I was resigned to postponing what I had planned, but suddenly, I caught a break. Now the sun is shining, and if it weren’t for the smell of wet grass, no one could tell it rained for hours.

I’m ridding Raven Ray, and Izzie is riding Apollo. After the storm incident, I wanted Izzie to ride a more stable horse. I plan to gift her the filly she brought to the world, but it will be a few years until she can ride her.

We ride to my favorite spot on the property—the lake. Izzie has already put her touch on it by ordering a bench to put under the massive tree. I don’t know why I never did that before.

When we reach the tree, she sees the red-and-white checkered blanket and the picnic basket. “Jacks… what’s this?”

“I thought I’d surprise you.”

“Why didn’t you tell me we were having a picnic? I’d have brought the chicken salad sandwiches.”

“If I’d told you, it wouldn’t have been a surprise.” I smirk.

We get off our horses and, once their reins are tied around a low tree branch, we walk over to the blanket. But before Izzie can sit down, I pull her to me and place my index finger under her chin, lifting her face to mine. “Are you happy, my love?”

“Yes, very much so. And you?”

I close my eyes, trying to steady my nerves, and press my forehead against hers. “Never been happier. You’re my everything, Izzie.”

She cups my cheek with her hand. “You’re my everything too, Jacks. I love you so much.”

A shudder ripples down my back. “Good.”

I stick my hand in my pocket, and once the small velvet box is in my hand, I drop down to one knee.

“Jacks, what are you doing?” she breathes out.

“What does it look like, gorgeous?” I quip to hide the fact I’m freaking out.

Her pretty brown eyes become even rounder, matching the shape of her lips. She’s surprised, not terrified. “Are you proposing?”

“I’m trying to. Will you let me?”

She nods.

A nervous laugh escapes me, and then, I blank.

Fucking hell.

“Jacks… did you change your mind?”

“No, of course not. I… damn it. I had an entire speech prepared. I practiced in front of the mirror and everything.”

She watches me for a moment as if in a daze, then she laughs.

“This isn’t funny!”

“No, it’s not. It’s perfect… and the answer is yes.”

My pulse is pounding in my ears. She said yes to my unspoken question, and it feels like I’m dreaming.

“Are you sure? I won’t hold it against you if say no after I blundered this proposal.”

She traps my face in her hands. “You didn’t ruin the moment, Jacks. If anything, you made it even more special. I love you with every cell in my body. You’re everything I didn’t know I needed or wanted. You came out of nowhere and stole my heart. It’s yours now whether you want it or not… forever.”

My vision becomes blurry, and it’s only when I feel something wet on my cheeks that I realize I’m crying. “You’re my whole universe, Izzie.”

She leans down and kisses me, but I need to be closer, so I wrap my arms around her and flip her onto the ground.

“Jacks! The grass is wet.”

“We brought towels.” I slant my mouth over hers possessively, and she melts against me. My pulse is still thundering in my ears, but the nervousness is gone. I remember every single word from my speech, but I can tell her later. All I want right now is to drown in her taste and touch.

“Can we at least move to the blanket?” she asks as I start to unbutton her shirt.

I stop, then a realization comes to me. “Shit, I think I lost your ring.”

“Wait, there was a ring?”

I slide off her and look for the velvet box. “Yes, of course I got you a ring.”

She sits up and searches the perimeter as well. “As far as proposals go, this one is unforgettable.”

“Great. You’re mocking me,” I grumble.

“Duh, of course. Oh, I found it!” She fishes the black box off the ground and opens it. “Oh my God.”

“What? You don’t like it?” I scooch closer.

She covers her mouth with her hand and doesn’t answer me.

“Izzie?”

Hell. Did I mess up the ring as well? I even asked Jane for assistance. It’s a vintage-inspired floral diamond ring that she assured me Izzie would love.

She looks up and I see then she has tears in her eyes. “It’s beautiful.”

Relief washes over me. “Oh, thank God. Can I put it on?”

She nods.

I take the delicate ring out of the box and slide it down her finger. “Perfect fit.”

“You’re my perfect fit,” she replies.

A lump lodges in my throat. Hell, I might start crying again. I reach for the back of her head. “Come here, fiancée.”

“ Fiancée … is this really happening?” she asks before I can kiss her.

“Yes, my sweet Izzie, it is.”