I can’t shake this. I can’t keep denying Jackson, even if he has messed up. Maybe he’s really trying to start a new life. Maybe he really does love me like he says he does. And maybe I love him.

When I walk outside to grab a coffee, I break down. I just start bawling. The past few days have taken their toll on me and now I just want answers. Only, there’s no answers to be had. I just need to get through the day, dammit.

And then that little yellow cab comes speeding up to the driveway and stops. I see him, front and center. Through the window, I see him and he’s smiling. He’s got a bouquet of flowers and as he steps outside, he walks with a confidence that’s free and new.

I immediately stop crying and scramble to make myself look more presentable. My hair is a mess, I’m wearing my pajamas, and I haven’t even put on makeup. I’m a total wreck.

And what does he say? “Hello beautiful.” That’s what he says. Of course, I can’t hold it in. More tears come down and I start laughing at the same time. He probably thinks I’m an insane person.

“Hi,” I whisper. “I wasn’t sure you were coming.”

“Here I am,” he says. “I think we need to talk.” I nod and press my lips together. Looking at him now, I want to kiss him so bad.

He grabs my hand and looks me in the eye. “But first, I want to do something,” he says. My eyebrows rise up in confusion.

“What?” I ask him, feeling hesitant.

He falls to one knee and my whole world shatters into a million tiny pieces, in a good way. “Oh my God,” I whisper, closing my eyes. “What’s happening? Is this happening? Oh my God!”

“Fiona Colleen Breckinridge,” he begins, “I was such an asshole to you. I took you for granted. I left you behind 10 years ago. And then I found you again and my life changed forever. I was sent back in time and found the guy I was back then. I made a mistake a decade ago, but I was better back then in a lot of ways. I lost my path, but you helped me become a better human being. And I know I fucked up again. I know I keep having to explain myself and give excuses, but this time it’s for real. I’m done playing around. I’m done being an asshole. I just want you. I want a family. I want everything good and bad, and beautiful, and ugly, all with you. Fiona Breckinridge, will you do me the honor of being my wife? And yeah, that kind of means forever, until we both grow old.”

I laugh again, while crying. “You are such an asshole!” I nearly scream.

“I know it,” he smiles. “But that’s why you love me, right?”

“Yes,” I whisper. “It is.”

“So what’s the answer? My knee is all wet from the grass,” he says. And then he opens the ring box and shows me what’s inside. And, oh my god, it’s perfect. It’s subtle and gorgeous, and as he holds it in front of my hand, I can’t help but feel like it’s already mine. It’s like it’s already a part of me.

I bite my lip and feel every bone and nerve in my body start to rattle. It’s a huge decision, but I have to go with what my heart tells me. And my heart is saying that Jackson Leeman, as cocky as he is, is the right one for me.

“Jackson, you annoy the hell out of me, but you’ve been good to me lately. I want a life with you, I really do. And I’m sorry for almost throwing it all away,” I tell him, choking up some more.

“You don’t have to be sorry,” he says. “Hell, you don’t have to ever be sorry with me if you don’t want to.”

“I just can’t imagine waking up and not seeing your face. The nights we spent together were everything to me and I almost let it all go down the drain. We’re going to get married, Jackson. And we’re going to experience the rest of this life together,” I say.

His smile grows at least an inch wider. He slides the diamond ring onto my finger and then grabs my hand and pulls me on top of him. The sprinklers go off and we’re soaking wet, but nothing matters because I found the most important thing in the world, and it’s mine now. I found love.

I found love in a different place.