Jayne pulled her scarf more tightly around her neck and tentatively stepped outside. Slush covered the roads, the pristine white snow from a couple of days ago turned into a brown, slippery mess from the continuous footfall and traffic.

An incoming text beeped. She dug her phone out of her handbag and looked at the message: All set.

A broad smile spread across her face. Perfect. Everything was coming together nicely. She typed out a quick reply as another text came through, this time from Mike. Jayne frowned. Today was Fisher’s sentencing hearing. A week ago, he’d been found guilty of kidnapping with intent and several other charges. She’d been back and forth about whether to go to the hearing, but in the end, with the help of her counsellor, she’d decided not to. She already had her closure. Whatever happened, Fisher was looking at significant jail time. She didn’t need to hear the actual words spoken by the judge.

She opened the text. Twenty-two years, Mike had written. He’d added a smiling emoji on the end.

Jayne briefly closed her eyes as tension drained from her. Twenty-two days was a long time to spend in prison for an ex copper. Twenty-two years would be torturous.

She pushed thoughts of Fisher from her mind. He didn’t deserve another second of her attention, particularly today. She’d planned everything down to the last detail, and she wouldn’t allow anything to spoil it.

She managed to flag down a taxi. As she closed the door on the bitterly cold February wind, a thrill ran through her, even if it was tinged with fear. She hoped to God she hadn’t misread the situation. Well, there was only one way to find out.

Thirty minutes later, the cab pulled up outside Rupe’s house. She paid the driver and jumped out.

Abi opened the front door, a wide grin on her face. She gave Jayne a hug. “Everything’s here.”

“Except Rupe, I hope,” Jayne said.

“Oh, yes. Cash is delaying him until he gets your text.”

“Great.”

Jayne wandered to the back of the house and opened the door at the far end of the hallway. The smell of roses—white and pink—enveloped her, and she smiled. She stepped farther into the room. On a table in the centre, a bottle of champagne was chilling in a silver ice bucket, two crystal glasses placed on either side.

With a final check that everything was in place, she sent Cash a text: Ready.

She received one back almost immediately: Five minutes.

Her skin tingled as excitement surged through her. She began to pace as she watched the second hand tick on her watch. The slam of the front door echoing down the corridor made her pulse jump. Okay, this is it, Jayne.

“Will you stop shoving me and tell me what the fuck is going on?” she heard Rupe say.

“Just get in there, Witters,” Cash replied, making Jayne chuckle under her breath.

The door opened, and Cash pushed Rupe inside. He gave Jayne a wink before closing the door behind him.

Rupe’s mouth fell open the minute he’d stepped into the drawing room, and his expression remained stunned as Jayne walked across to him.

“Sorry for the cloak-and-dagger.” She curved her hands around his face and kissed him. Rupe leaned into her kiss before pulling away.

“Well, this is a nice surprise,” he said with a grin. “Although you pinched the flowers idea from me.”

Jayne laughed. “I’ve never been very original.”

Rupe tilted his head to the side. “Want to tell me what’s going on?”

“Fisher got twenty-two years.”

Rupe sucked in a breath. “You went?”

Jayne shook her head. “Mike texted me.”

“And how do you feel?”

She shrugged. “I’m not sure I feel anything. I’m just glad he’s no longer a part of our lives.”

“So that’s what the flowers and champagne are for? A way of putting the past behind us and looking to the future?”

“Got it in one,” Jayne said with a smirk. “Well, that, and this…” She dropped down on one knee and held out a small velvet box. Inside nestled a gold signet ring she’d had engraved with their initials.

As surprise flitted across his face, she grinned. “Now, I know this isn’t the done thing, especially for an old cad like yourself, born fifty years too late, but I also know that with everything that’s happened to me over the last few months, you wouldn’t want to push. So I’m asking you instead. Will you marry me?”

Rupe sank down onto his haunches until he was at eye level with her. He gripped her by the shoulders and eased her to her feet. A jolt of panic shot through her. A grave expression crossed his face, one usually reserved for when things were really dire.

“I mean you don’t have to, and I totally understand if—”

Rupe placed a single finger over her lips. “Shush. Wait here.”

He disappeared into the hallway, and Jayne sank into the nearest chair before her legs gave out. She’d made a horrid mistake. Rupe was old-fashioned, in so many ways, and given his less-than-enthusiastic response to her proposal, she clearly should have waited for him to ask first.

Rupe returned a few minutes later, one hand stuffed into the front pocket of his jeans. Then he held out his other hand and helped her to her feet. He flicked a lock of hair over her shoulder and then caressed her cheek.

“You’re right. I am old-fashioned, especially when it comes to asking the woman I love to marry me.” He held his palm towards her. On top was a black velvet box, almost identical to the one she’d presented to him. “I bought this months ago. I wanted to be prepared for when you were ready. I guess that time is now.”

His eyes were full of tenderness as he opened the box. Inside was an oval-shaped diamond surrounded with tiny sapphires. Tears welled up behind Jayne’s eyes as Rupe slipped it onto her finger. He held out his hand for her to do the same to him. He touched his palm to her cheek. “I know what a tough few months it’s been. I know you like people to believe that time didn’t fuck you up, but I also know you, Janey. That’s why I waited.” He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. “That’s a yes, in case you’re wondering.”

Jayne laughed. “You had me worried for a moment.”

He pulled her into his arms and rested his forehead against hers. “I never thought I’d feel grateful for being charged with murder, but if I hadn’t been, then I wouldn’t have found you.”

Jayne wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m not an easy person to live with. I’m a workaholic, I constantly bring my cases home with me, and I get far too embroiled in the lives of my clients.”

Rupe grinned. “I don’t mind competing for your time and affection.” He ran the tip of his nose down hers. “But you should know that I will play dirty to make sure I win.”

Jayne pulled him down for a kiss. “I was rather hoping you’d say that.”