Page 228 of The Maxwell Brothers

And the swoonworthy one.

This one was like a mix of them all, and it was truly overpowering.

Stepping outside, we strolled along the street, past the center, until we reached a huge, old pine tree. It looked even more majestic now in winter because it was one of the few trees still green. There were even a few snowflakes falling from the sky. They’d totally ruin my hair, but I didn’t care because I loved snow.

“Tyler? There’s something different about you, and I can’t make out what,” I said.

He cupped one side of my face, pressing his thumb at the base of my ear and splaying his fingers on the side of my neck.

"Kendra, you're important to me. I can't imagine not being with you every day. I love you. I've been luckier than most, but even I know life isn't easy. It will always have ups and downs. I want to experience all that with you."

"So do I," I assured him.

He took away his hand, bending, and at first, I thought he'd dropped something. Then I realized he was lowering himself on one knee.

"Oh my God," I whispered, taking a step back so I could see him better. I clasped one hand on my chest because suddenly my heart was beating so fast I seriously felt like it might leap out of my chest.

Smiling, he took something out of his pocket—a ring box. "Kendra, we met right here, in front of the center."

"Oh my goodness. That's true. We did."

"And that day, I told you I don't ever follow rules, let alone instructions, and you told me you were up for the challenge. I wanted to kiss you right then, and not only were you up for it, but with you, I discovered a side of life I didn't know existed. You're my soul mate."

Oh my God.My heart fluttered in my chest. "I thought you didn't believe in soul mates," I whispered.

"Because I hadn't met you. I didn't know what loving you would do to me, but now I do. Marry me, Kendra."

My eyes filled with tears, and I didn't bother holding them back. "Yes, of course."

Putting the ring on my finger, he clasped my hands tightly. It had four stones, one pink, one blue, one green, and one white.

"I love it," I whispered. "It's gorgeous. This is why my sister took me to the beauty salon, isn’t it?"

Tyler laughed. "I bet she did. When I told her what I planned, she immediately started making plans of her own and wanted to know exactly where it was taking place and at what time."

"Sounds like Emma," I murmured.

He looked me straight in the eyes, curling a strand of my hair between his fingers. "I want to build a life with you, Kendra."

"I want it too," I admitted. And then I acknowledged something else. "I've been having these vivid dreams lately. You're always in them.” I shook my head. “That sounded dirty. It's not how I meant it."

"What kind of dreams?" he asked.

"About the future. And I never used to have them before." There werea lotof snowflakes now, and some were getting on my tongue every time I spoke. The wind intensified too. I looked up at the sky, then back at Tyler. “I think we’re in for a storm.”

“Looks like it.”

“So… does the rest of your plan to make me swoon today include being outdoors?”

“Actually, yes, but I’m adaptable.” He touched my jaw again, looking at me intently. “And I can think of a thing or two to do indoors too.”

I grinned. “So can I.”

EPILOGUE

Kendra

Three months later