Page 40 of The Reality of Wanting Him (Love Without Labels #1)

That seems like as good of an opening as any, so I stand a little taller and take a deep breath, gathering my courage as I turn to face him.

“Wyatt, I know you haven’t known me for long.

Less than a day, I guess, but it’s important to me that you know how much I really do want to build that future with your son.

I’ll admit that this wasn’t what I was expecting when I signed up for the show, but Liam has helped me to realize that the life I had in the city wasn't much of a life at all. I’m in love with him, and I want to do this right, even if the cameras make everything a little strange,” I say quietly as I glance at the crew member who followed us here.

He’s giving me an encouraging smile as I ramble, and I feel like I’m getting a glimpse into Liam’s childhood.

I can’t imagine having this type of parental support all my life, but I’m so glad that Liam did.

I take another moment to center my thoughts before I continue, wanting to focus on getting the important part out before I get too distracted by the chickens running around our feet.

“Sir, I know how much Liam admires you, how much the marriage you and your wife shared has inspired him and what he wants for his own future. I know he’s an independent person, and that this isn’t some old-fashioned requirement I ‘have to do,’” I say using air quotes.

Wyatt gives me another encouraging smile, and I take a deep breath before continuing.

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be, no one else that I would rather be with, and I think it would mean a lot to Liam if I got your blessing before I ask him to marry me,” I blurt out, hoping I said it right.

Wyatt is positively beaming, though, so I think I got the point across okay. “That’s real kind of you to ask, son.”

I know he means that in the casual way older men sometimes refer to guys that are younger than them, but that doesn’t stop my heart from skipping a beat at the term.

“I think Liam’s mom would have liked that,” he goes on, unaware of how his word choice has affected me.

“She would have liked you and your enthusiasm. You obviously make him happy. I haven’t seen him look as calm and settled as he did last night in years, and the fact that he waited until this morning to start fixing things up around here shocked me. ”

He chuckles and places a firm hand on my shoulder, giving it a quick reassuring squeeze. “Of course you have my blessing to marry him. I’m looking forward to having you and Lucky join us here.”

In this moment with Wyatt, I feel more love than I ever have from my own parents, and I can’t help myself—I throw my arms around him in a tight hug, grateful that my second cup of coffee is nearly empty and that I don’t splash him with it.

He must sense how much I need the embrace because he hugs me back firmly, not letting go until I do. After meeting him in person, I didn’t have any doubts Wyatt would say no, but it’s still so exciting to have checked that mental box off and that it went even better than I had hoped.

I’m one step closer to marrying Liam, and I can’t wait.

“Did I miss something? Why are we hugging?” Liam asks as he enters the fenced-in chicken area.

I look over at him as he approaches, his bright smile and warm blue eyes focused on me, more love shining in them than I ever thought I would deserve.

The animals swarm his personal space, probably looking for more food.

In his backwards baseball cap, worn T-shirt, and jeans, with a bit of a classic red flannel visible beneath his open coat, stubble lining his jaw, surrounded by the chickens, he looks like the perfect farmer.

He looks like mine and everything I never knew I wanted, everything I want our future to be.

I don’t really make the conscious decision, I just fall down to one knee, scrambling for the ring box in my pocket that I’ve been carrying around since I bought it with Chad.

The chickens seem excited that I’m closer to their level, and more flock to my side, vying for my attention.

As much as I would love to propose while holding a chicken, because that would be fucking adorable, I couldn’t possibly single just one of my babies out for the honor like that.

“What are you doing?” Liam says, sounding amused.

His eyes are wide, but there’s a grin stretching across his face, so hopefully he won’t be upset that I didn’t make this moment more romantic or something.

No, fuck that, just because I’m being spontaneous doesn’t mean I can’t make this romantic as hell.

He’s close enough now that I can take his hand in mine as I look up at him through my lashes, and I’m reminded of the first time I dropped to my knees for this man.

My cock starts to thicken at the memory, but I will myself to calm down and focus.

“Liam, we both know when I signed up for the show, I never imagined I would be here today, in love with a man, making plans to move to a farm and leave my life in the city behind.”

“And I don’t even like sports,” he teases, smile growing even wider.

“Exactly! You are not at all the person I would have pictured myself marrying,” I say with a laugh.

“But Liam, you are the only one I could ever see myself having a future with now. You’ve taught me so much about what it really means to love someone, to be loved by another person.

I’ve never had that before. I know you don’t give a shit about my family’s money or what number I was in the draft picks.

I love how kind you are, how hardworking and passionate you are about your life here and continuing your family’s legacy.

Earning your laughter is my new favorite thing in the world.

You’re the first person that I’ve ever dated that I’ve wanted to spend all my time with.

Even if we’re just sitting in the same room, I want to be near you?—”

“And probably on top of me,” he interrupts.

I aim a shrug his dad’s way. “I like to share personal space. Don’t worry, he loves it.”

Wyatt is glancing between us with watery eyes, a huge smile on his face.

“To answer your question,” I continue, still laughing a little, enjoying how perfectly casual this huge moment feels.

I’m not nervous, just excited to finally show him the ring I picked out, and to claim him as mine in this new way.

“I was hugging your dad because I asked for his blessing to propose to you, and I couldn’t possibly wait another moment when he gave it.

I’m glad you came to us here, because asking you to marry me in front of our babies feels way more romantic than if I’d found you in that shed by the lawn mower. ”

Liam bursts out laughing, and we all join in, even the camera guys are chuckling. “Well, are you going to officially ask then, or was that the whole speech?” he asks when we all calm down.

“Fuck, did I not do that yet?” We’re grinning at each other like lovesick fools, and for once, I’m so glad there are cameras on us so I can remember this moment forever.

I can’t wait to go back and rewatch this with him for years to come.

“Liam, lover,” I draw out dramatically, loving the eye roll I earn from him.

“Will you make me the happiest man alive and agree to marry me?” I officially ask, opening the ring box to show him the black band I chose for him.

“Of course I’ll marry you, baby,” he says, then he cups both sides of my face in his rough palms and drags me up to meet him in a searing kiss.

My entire body heats up at the feel of his stubble scraping across my cheeks as our mouths tangle and our bodies press together, like we’re desperate to eliminate any space between us.

When I hitch my leg up around his hip, there’s a deep throat clearing that reminds us both that we’re not alone, and we reluctantly pull away at the same time.

“I got this for you while I was with Chad in the city,” I explain as I take a small step back to put the ring on for him. “I also got a silicone one that I know you’ll probably end up wearing more with all of the work you do around here.”

Liam’s smile grows soft at that, and I can tell he appreciates that I put in the extra effort. “Well, you beat me to proposing. I wanted to propose to you, but I was planning to use one of the rings the show offered since I figured they’d be nicer than what I could afford for you,” he admits.

“I don’t want to overstep,” Wyatt cuts in, coming closer as he removes a chain from around his neck, and I see him pull a necklace with a ring around it out from his shirt.

“I certainly didn’t expect Blake to drop down on one knee in the middle of the chickens not even two minutes after our conversation. ” He chuckles, and I shrug.

“I didn’t want to go another moment without Liam being my fiancé,” I explain.

“Like I said, I think his mom would have appreciated your enthusiasm.” He offers me a soft smile, holding out the necklace in his hand to Liam.

When I look at his expression, it’s clear that it means something to him, his eyes are wide in surprise, and he tentatively reaches out to take the chain from his father.

“I’d planned to offer you this in private before either of you proposed, but Liam, if you would like, I think it would have meant a lot to your mother if your partner got to wear the ring she had made for me.”

It’s a gold band with a small row of diamonds in the middle of it. Fuck, it’s so cool. And the sentiment is making me so emotional. Don’t cry, don’t cry .

“She didn’t want to be the only one with diamonds,” Wyatt explains to me.

“And she used the jewels from her own mother’s ring to make mine.

But I’ve always worn it around my neck, tucked into my shirt for the same reasons you probably got Liam the silicone band, so it’s in pretty good shape.

If you’d rather get something new, though, I won’t be offended. ”

“Dad, if you’re sure?” Liam checks, and I’m glad he doesn’t feel the need to ask me. That is easily the coolest ring I’ve ever seen, and the backstory makes it so much better. I’ll be fucking honored if Liam offers it to me.

“Of course, son,” Wyatt says with a firm nod.

Liam holds the ring in his hand, turns to me, and drops down on one knee.