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His full lips press into a smile, and he nods. “Will you marry me, Allie LaSalle? Will you walk down the aisle for real this time and promise to be my wife forever?”

I’m nodding before I say the words. “Yes! Yes yes yes yes yes…” I hiccup another breath as the tears spill onto my cheeks, as he slides the ring along the third finger of my left hand.

Until it hits my knuckle and won’t go any further .

“Oh…” My lips purse, and I try to make it fit. “So much for Cinderella. I think my fingers are too big.”

“Don’t worry.” He drops it in the black velvet pouch where it was stored. “I know a guy.”

A twinkle is in his pretty, pretty eyes. It’s the lightest I’ve ever seen him, and he wraps his good arm around my waist, pulling me closer to his chest.

“Another guy?” I tease.

“Yeah.” He kisses my nose. “I’ll have it resized, and I can do this right, in front of everybody.”

My lip pokes out in a pout. “Does this mean we’re not engaged?”

“No,” he answers fast. “It means, I’m coming back with a ring, but we’re engaged. You already said yes.”

“You bet your ass I did.” My palms flatten against his chest as my pout gives way to a big-assed teary smile. “You proposed to me, Jack Bradford, and there’s no way in hell I’m letting you take it back.”

“No way I ever would.” Large hands cup my cheeks. “You belong to me.”

He covers my mouth with his, parting my lips and claiming my tongue. Claiming me like he always has, even when it was only in my dreams.

“I’ve made a special breakfast for the heroes.” Dylan walks out with a tray on her shoulder holding plates of what look like omelettes and hash browns.

“I feel like I should be helping.” Instead, for the first time at Cooters & Shooters, I’m sitting at the table at Jack’s side with his arm around my shoulders and my hand in my son’s.

As soon as I walked in and saw Austin, we rushed together for a long, tearful hug. My sweet son squeezed me so tight, then he stood me back, looking all over to be sure I was okay. I couldn’t stop the tears as I reassured him we were safe. It was over.

“Wait.” Hendrix holds up a hand. “Did you cook this?”

“Don’t worry, I was right there with her the whole time.” Craig walks out, also carrying a tray laden with plates.

“Rude.” Dylan pokes her tongue out at her brother. “Craig made sure I only used the same boring ingredients we always use.”

“I was also there supervising.” Raven is behind them with another tray. “We really have a big group when we’re all together.”

“I hope you made enough for one more!” Garrett’s loud voice echoes from the doorway, and he walks in holding a squirmy Gigi, with Liv on his arm.

The minute Haddy sees her little cousin, she starts fussing and reaching from where she sits on Hendrix’s leg at the table.

I smile watching them all, and my stomach keeps squeezing with all the emotions swirling inside me. I’m here. Rip is gone.

Most of all, I’m going to be a Bradford.

I squeeze Austin’s hand. He is, too.

“We’ve got our special Eggs Florentine,” Craig explains, putting a plate in front of me. “Which I know happens to be Allie’s favorite.”

“How did you know that?” I grin, looking up at him.

“I pay attention.” He arches an eyebrow, glancing at Jack’s hand on my leg. “I’m also thinking my boyfriend might be getting a call soon about planning another wedding.”

Austin inhales sharply, leaning into my ear. “Did he finally ask you?”

I blink at him, confused. “How did you…”

“We talked about it.”

My lips part, and as hard as I try, I can’t keep the smile off my face. “Is that okay?” I whisper back.

A smile breaks across his face, and he nods. “Definitely.”

I shrug at Craig, playing it coy. “You never know what the future holds!”

“Uh-huh…” Craig bumps me with his hip as he puts a plate ho lding a light-yellow roll filled with tomato, bell pepper, red pepper, black olives, spinach, and feta cheese. “One loaded Mediterranean omelette for Coach Jack.”

I’ve made so many of these working in the kitchen, and they are delicious. I also happen to know it’s Jack’s favorite.

“Thanks, Craig.” Jack’s low voice tickles my stomach, and I want to lean over and kiss his cheek.

Kimmie walks up between us, climbing onto his lap instead. “Daddy’s a hero.” A wobble is in her voice, and she puts her arms around his neck. “He rescued Miss Allie, but it hurt his hands and shoulder.”

Jack puts his fork down to hug his little girl. “I’m okay, baby. Did you just wake up?”

She nods, and he holds her a few seconds, until she slides down into his lap, keeping her small hand on his neck.

He kisses the top of her head, picking up his fork again, and I melt a little more. “You want some breakfast?”

She shakes her head. “Aunt Deedee is making penny cakes.”

I’ve also made many, many of those little quarter-sized pancakes for her in my summers working here.

“Do you need some help?” Dylan stops at his chair, nodding at her niece.

“Nah, I’m good.”

It’s true. He’s an amazing coach, an incredible lover, my hero… and a sweet, sweet dad. My bestie wraps her arms around me, giving me a hug, and I squeeze her back.

“I like what I’m seeing here,” she whispers in my ear.

I give her arms another squeeze, whispering back. “Me too.”

“You feeling okay, bro?” Garrett slides into the chair beside Jack then reaches for a plate holding an omelette. “You’re not looking too bad, considering I had to pull you off that guy.”

“He’s lucky you were there.” Jack nods, and Liv stops behind me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders gently.

“Feeling okay, Bookish Spice?” She tilts her strawberry-blonde head to the side to meet my eyes .

“A lot better than I was two nights ago.” I give her a squeeze as well.

“The drill team organized a vigil in the park. They had candles and everybody prayed all night and everything.”

“Oh!” My eyes widen, and an ache hits my throat. “That is so…”

My voice catches, and Jack’s warm hand slides across my back.

Shaking my head, I swallow the ache. “I’ll be glad to see them tomorrow. We’ll hug it out.”

Liv smiles, kissing the side of my head before patting Jack’s good shoulder. “Good work, Coach.”

He doesn’t reply as she sits beside Garrett. I lean my elbow on the table, smiling up at him, and when his blue eyes flicker to mine, my stomach squeezes.

“I hate we missed our Halloween movie night,” Raven complains from where she sits beside Hendrix. “But I’m really, really glad you’re safe and you’re home.”

“Yeah, we’re pretty good at taking out the trash.” Garrett points at Craig, who holds out his fist for a bump.

Dylan sits on Logan’s knee at the head of the table, sliding her hand over her growing midsection. Rachel tilts her head to the side, smiling at me from where she’s perched beside Zane with Edward at her side.

As much as my early decisions try to get in my head and make me ashamed, knowing this is where I landed helps me forgive my younger self.

I was brave enough to take the chance coming here, even if I didn’t know where I’d land or how it would work out, and it turned out to be the best decision of my life.