He pulled the ring from his pocket and held it up. His heart beat rapidly, every inch of him braced... Hopeful but wary.
Her eyes were wide, flitting back and forth between him and the ring. “What happened to not rushing to the altar?”
“Cady, if I’m marrying you, you can’t get me there fast enough,” Patton said, laying it all on the line. He knew it was a risk, but she wasn’t running yet.
“Really?” Her brown eyes sparkled—and so did her smile.
He swallowed, his nerves on edge. “Marry me.”
“Are you asking me? Or telling me?”
He shrugged, needing her answer so he could breathe again. “Whatever it takes.”
“Whatever?” she asked, her brow furrowing ever so slightly.
He nodded, his heart in his throat. “I’ll keep asking until I get the answer I want.”
“Even if I’d rather go the easy route—like city hall? Or a trip to Vegas? Something small—without all the bells and whistles?”
He could breathe again. “So that’s a yes?”
“That’s a yes.” She held her hand out. It was trembling.
He slid the ring on her finger then kissed her hand and placed it on his chest. He stepped closer, winding his arms around her. Now, finally, she was his. “I love you.”
“It’s about time you said it,” she murmured, pressing her lips against his. “I guess this makes me the luckiest woman in the world. First, a promotion—”
Patton leaned back so he could see her. “I knew it.”
She nodded. “Charles is heading up HR, which is what he wants. And I’m getting what I want—a big corner office with a fabulous view and a fabulous raise.” She kissed him. “And you.” She stared up at him, her voice wavering as she added, “More importantly, you.” She shook her head. “The fact that you’re incredible in bed is an added bonus. See, lucky.”
He chuckled. “You work hard, Cady, that’s not luck. I’m glad they appreciate you. They should.” He pulled her close again. “You deserve it.”
“It means a lot that you believe in me, Patton.” She pressed her hand to his cheek. “We have to promise, right now, we’ll put each other before our careers. I know it’ll be hard and require a lot of work, on both our parts, but I want this to work. I want us to work,” she said, glancing at the ring on her finger. “I need us to work. I know who I am, I like who I am. But with you, I’m better.”
“Agreed.” He kissed her hand, her words filling his head and heart. “You’re want I want, what I need.” His hand cupped her cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she murmured, her brown gaze locking with his. “Guess we should get back to the party now?” She paused, smiling up at him and taking his hand in hers. “Bianca will be so relieved.”
“Relieved?” he asked, letting her lead him back inside.
“Her dream,” Cady explained. “She had a dream about us.”
/>
“Right. The whole matchmaking thing?”
She nodded. “And I guess it’s good news for us, too.”
Patton quirked an eyebrow. “How so?”
“The Garza women pride themselves on their matches.” She stopped walking, standing on tiptoe to kiss him. “Love matches...that last a lifetime.”
He drew her into his arms again. “I like the sound of that.”
“Me, too,” she said between kisses. “Me, too.”
Epilogue