Six Months Later

“Where are you taking me?” I ask Liam.

Liam woke me up early this morning, insisting I get out of bed. Once I was dressed, he strapped a blindfold around my eyes.

“Not telling. It’s a surprise.”

I smile, hoping it’s a proposal. I’ve been patiently waiting for Liam to ask me to marry him. Okay, so I’m not exactly waiting patiently. Each time he took me out somewhere, I’d ask, “Is it going to happen now?”

He’d smile, telling me, “You’ll just have to see.”

I stopped asking a month ago, wondering if my constant questioning was what was keeping him from proposing. We’re still living in a rental house, unsure of where we want to go next.

Harper moved out two months ago, finding a cute condo down the block from her shop. We both cried when she left. She still brings baked goods to every girls’ night.

Around the same time Harper moved out, my parents moved to Austin, both of them stating they were tired of living hours from me and were ready for a new adventure. It’s been wonderful having them so close. My mom has been helping Katie and Olivia with their business since Olivia was put on bedrest. She’s due any day now. I love seeing her so pregnant, belly so full. Olivia and I share an unbreakable bond now. I’ve brought her to every girls’ night, and since her start of bedrest, our girls’ nights are now spent in her and Josh’s bedroom. Poor Tanner doesn’t know it yet, but he’s having a baby sister.

Liam helped me start my boutique marketing company, Phoenix, one month after I was released from the hospital. Harper insisted her store be my first contract. I’ve slowly built my business. I’ve been working out of our house, but with my growing client list, it’s time I start searching for a space. Natasha has promised to join me when I can pay her a salary.

Liam’s Jeep slows to a stop. “Hold on, gorgeous.”

I hear him get out and shut his door. He opens my door, helping me to my feet.

He guides me to a certain position, then comes behind me. He kisses my shoulder. “I love you, Savannah. You amaze me every day. I’m so fucking lucky to have you.”

My heart starts racing, getting ready for the moment I think is coming.

“I love you, too,” I tell him. My voice sounds wobbly. I swallow, trying to hold back the tears pricking my eyes.

“I’m excited to watch you grow your business.”

Grow my business? That is not where I saw a proposal going.

Liam whips off my blindfold and whispers, “Surprise.”

When my eyes adjust to the sun, I see a small building with a black awning. My Phoenix logo is bright against the black background. I gasp, my hand coming up to cover my mouth. I turn my head to look at Liam, but he’s dropped to a knee.

“Wh—wh—what?”

He smiles his sexy grin. “You’ve been asking for so long if this is the moment. It’s finally the moment, and you don’t know what’s happening?”

Liam grabs my hand, bringing it to his mouth to kiss. “Savannah, you are my world. I’ve seen and loved every facet of you. You are my strong warrior princess. I’m thankful you let me be by your side as you fight your way through life. I’m not giving you up for anything. Your chance to realize you deserve something so much more than me is gone.” He laughs, and tears are streaming down my face. “I will spend every moment of our lives worshipping you and being what you need. I’m not asking you to marry me. I’m telling you, you are.”

“Barbarian,” I whisper. “I love you.”

“Forever, gorgeous. I’ll love you forever.” Liam slides a stunning vintage ring on my finger. The round diamond is flashing up at me—the band is diamonds that creates ovals in a pattern. I gasp when I look at it. I wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him passionately. Our tongues clash.

“I can’t wait to fuck my fiancée,” he whispers.

“Barbarian,” I say again, in my most loving voice.

Liam’s phone rings in his pocket, but he ignores it, standing, backing me against the door of my new office building. My legs wrap around his waist, and I don’t care that we’re outside in the middle of the day.

When his phone stops ringing, mine starts ringing.

I break our kiss. “We should probably answer.” By the time I unwind myself from Liam and dig my phone out my purse, the ringing has stopped, and Liam’s has started again.

He answers on the first ring. “Hello?” His eyes whip to mine. He grabs my hand, pulling me to the Jeep. When he hangs up, he tells me, “Livie’s having the baby!”

“Oh, my God! Let’s go.” We both hop in the Jeep and race to the hospital.

After hours of waiting, Josh comes out beaming with pride, telling us to come meet his daughter.

I walk into the room, heading straight toward Olivia. Liam stands next to me, wrapping an arm around me. Olivia adjusts her hold, showing us their beautiful daughter. Tears rush to my eyes, seeing her sweet face.

Josh rounds the bed, putting an arm around Olivia. They look at each other, then to us. “We want y’all to be the godparents,” Olivia says. “To our sweet little Grace Savannah.”

I gasp, the tears pouring faster.

Josh’s hand covers mine. “We will never be able to thank you enough for saving Olivia.”

I shake my head.

Olivia tells me, “Stop it. And hold your niece-slash-goddaughter.”

I’m still crying as I take her from Olivia’s arms. Liam looks down at his niece, his eyes shining brightly.

Olivia gasps. “What is that on your hand?”

Liam says, “Told her she’s marrying me.”

Josh laughs. “You mean asked?”

“Nope, I told her she is. Lucky she likes me like this.”

I laugh and lean back into him. Liam holds me tightly against him, sweeping one finger down Grace’s cheek.

Liam whispers in my ear, “I like seeing you with a baby.”

I look up at him, giving him a searing kiss. “I love you, Liam.”

“Love you, too, gorgeous.”