“So I have this big idea,” Alex said, much later that night. They’d spent the entire day in her bed making up for the time they’d lost when they were apart. Alex said he figured they’d be caught up in another couple of days. Then they could start over again.

Facedown on the bed, Jenny hugged a pillow and looked over at him. “What’s your big idea?”

“We own quite a bit of property behind the greenhouses. It occurred to me that we could build a place of our own back there so we’d be close to my mom but still have our own space.”

She couldn’t believe what he was saying. “You want to build a house.”

“For us. Yes. What do you think?”

“It’s a wonderful thought, and maybe by the time it’s built, I’ll be ready to move in with you.”

“Oh, well, um, see the rest of my plan would involve you moving in with me now so we can get busy making those babies you want so desperately. The babies you thought you’d never have.” With a teasing grin, he added, “You’re getting, you know…”

Her scowl discouraged him from finishing that thought. “Since I’ve only recently forgiven you for breaking my heart, I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear you infer that I’m old.”

“All kidding aside, do you want to wait another year to get started on what we both want?”

Jenny didn’t need long to consider her answer. “No, I guess I don’t.”

“Then it’s settled. You’ll move in with us, we’ll make babies and build a house.”

“I don’t want you to think I’m old-fashioned or anything, but if we’re going to actively try to make babies—”

“We’re going to very actively try,” he said, earning a pillow to the face.

“If we’re going to do that, shouldn’t we, you know, at least talk about…” The stinker watched her, enjoying her discomfort when he knew damned well what she was getting at. “Are you going to make me say it?”

“I think maybe I am,” he said with a smug grin.

“I’d want to be married if I’m going to have a baby.”

“Married to me, or will anyone do?”

“I’m beginning to think anyone will do.”

He pounced on her and rolled her so quickly she had no idea how he managed to end up on top of her, their bodies aligned. “I’m going to forget that you said that.”

Jenny reached up to place her hands on his face, drawing him into her kiss. “No one else will do.”

“Then I guess you have no choice but to marry me.”

“And won’t that go down as the most romantic proposal in history?”

“No, but I hope this one will.” He slid off the bed, dropping to his knees before her. Taking her hand, he brought it to his lips and bent his head over their joined hands for a second, seeming to gather his composure.

Jenny had to remind herself to breathe while she waited to hear what he would say.

“I want you to know I think you’re probably the best person I’ve ever known. You have the face of an angel, the heart of a warrior and the backbone needed to put up with me. I would like for you, Jenny Wilks, to come along with me the rest of the way, to build an amazing future together that also pays homage to the past you shared with Toby. I want to bring him with us, too, because he’s part of you and thus part of who we are together. I love you, I need you, I believe I’ve proven I want you, but I’m available to provide additional evidence upon request.”

Jenny laughed as she wiped away tears.

“I know I’m asking a lot of you by bringing you into my family at this particular juncture, but I’m hoping you’ll be by my side wherever this journey we’re on with my mom takes us.”

“Alex…”

“Wait, I’m not finished. This is the important part. I want us to have a family together and watch them grow up and then get really, really old together, but still have a lot of sex. I’ll take the little blue pills if necessary, but let’s hope to God it doesn’t come to that.”

She laughed even harder. “You’ve landed your spot in the history books as the first guy to bring erectile dysfunction into a marriage proposal.”

“I believe these things should never be left to chance,” he said gravely.

“Are you done now?”

“I think I might be.”

She leaned forward to give him a lingering kiss. “You had me at the best person you know, and you sealed the deal with Toby.”

“So, wait… I could’ve skipped the rest of it?”

“Not on your life, buster. That would’ve been the most romantically hilarious proposal in recorded history, except for one small detail.”

“What small detail?”

She rolled her eyes. “I can tell you’ve never done this before.”

“You’re damned right I’ve never done this before, and I can’t believe you’re actually critiquing me.”

His righteous indignation sent her into hysterical laughter. “You never asked the question, dummy!”

“Yes, I did.”

“No, you didn’t. I would’ve remembered that.”

“Fine,” he said with a scowl. “Are you going to marry me or not?”

Jenny raised a brow, letting him know he’d have to do better than that.

“Will you officially be my ball and chain so all the pain you inflict upon me will come with legally required sex?”

She shook her head, shaking with silent laughter.

And then he brought her hand to his lips, his face serious and earnest and as handsome as she’d ever seen it. “Jenny Wilks, best person I’ve ever known, masterful chucker of tomatoes and the only woman I’ve ever truly loved, will you put me out of my self-inflicted misery and do me the tremendous honor of being my wife?”

“Yes,” she said softly. “Now, was that so hard?”

“I’ll tell you what’s hard,” he muttered, making her laugh again as he got back in bed with her.

“You’re nothing if not predictable, Martinez.”

“And you love my endless desire for you.”

“Yes, I do.”

“I’ll get you a ring. As soon as I can.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Since I only plan to endure this torture once, I’m doing it right.”

Jenny batted her lashes at him. “When you put it so sweetly, how could a girl say no?”

He looked over at her, his heart in his eyes. “I’m sorry I hurt you. I’ll never do it again.”

“Yes, you probably will, but I’ll always forgive you as long as you grovel so beautifully.”

“I’m getting pretty good at that since I met you.”

She wrapped her arms around him, cradling his head to her chest. “Then we ought to do just fine.”

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Turn the page to read Chance for Love, a Gansett Island Novella!