At first, Sugar didn’t have a clue what to say. It was so unexpected that she simply stared at him. Had she just heard him right? Did he really just propose to her? Staring across at him, her mouth partially open, what was she to say or do?

“Colton, did you just propose?”

“I know we’ve not known each other long and that there are probably a million different reasons as to why we shouldn’t get married but, Sugar—” He stopped, reaching over the table to take her hand. She stared down at his fingers, which were wrapped around her wrist. “I love you. There, I’ve said it. I can’t imagine my life without you or our dogs. Most mornings I wake up and you’re the first person I think about. I only ever want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Tears filled her eyes and she couldn’t help but press her lips together to try and stop herself from gasping.

This was so unexpected.

He’d wanted to have dinner with her to discuss some things. He’d sounded so serious on the phone. Part of her had been afraid that they’d been caught or he was bored, or something else. Any number of things that could take him away from her. What if he didn’t want her anymore? Crazy thoughts.

She’d never been one to give a man control or to even for a second believe her life could be better with a man in it. She didn’t even think that about Colton but he was the kind of man she wanted. Thoughtful, sweet, kind, especially after she’d gotten to know him, and seen that he’d been hurting that first time they met. He wasn’t that guy.

“You know, I didn’t imagine my proposal would have you staring at me in silence.” He chuckled, uncomfortable. “I should have waited. Shit, I’m sorry to spring this on you.”

“This is why you wanted to have dinner tonight? To talk? To propose?” she asked.

“Yeah. Waiting for what I want was never something I was good at.” He gave her a lopsided grin and her heart skipped a beat. “And shit, baby, I want you so badly.”

He heart was beating a mile a minute, her throat was tight, and her mouth had gone dry.

“I know that we’re going to have to come clean at work, but I want that. I want to shout it off the rooftop that you’re mine.”

She really couldn’t believe how happy she was in that moment, even if she’d frozen up.

“Say something, Sugar. Please, baby.”

She wiped a stray tear away, grinning, hating that she’d worried him, that she still was by her silence. It’s not that she’d intended to go quiet on him. It was just that he’d shocked the hell out of her. “I’m so happy right now. You really don’t know, do you? That I would love to be your wife. That I would love to share every waking moment with you.” She placed her hand over his, running the tips of her fingers across his knuckles. “You come across as this hard-ass businessman, but I know differently. I know that Boscoe has managed in his charming way to become part of your life to the point that you hold dog biscuits in your mouth so he’ll take them.”

“You told me that wasn’t weird.” He chuckled but visibly relaxed, her words clearly pleasing him.

“It’s not. It’s nowhere near weird. It’s amazing and sweet and funny and it makes me love you more.” She reached out and cupped his face. “I don’t think there’s any way I could be happier right now.”

“Then tell me yes.” He held a black velvet box in front of her, the lid still lifted. She stared at the single diamond ring that was nestled in the fabric. It was so beautiful. An engagement ring.

Shocking.

Breathtaking.

A true sign of the next step in their relationship.

Tears blurred her vision as she looked at him.

“Sugar, please marry me, sweetheart, continue to make me the happiest man on this planet.”

She couldn’t help but laugh, the grin on her face wide as she nodded her head. “Yes, I’ll marry you. Yes, so much yes.”

He slipped the ring on her finger then got to his feet, pulling her up to stand and embracing her.

A round of applause rushed around the restaurant and she hadn’t even realized that they were entertaining the crowd.

Pressing her face against his chest, she groaned.

“Could you imagine how bad this would have gone if you’d said no?” he said.

She chuckled. “Is that why you came to a restaurant? So I wouldn’t have a choice?”

“You know, I didn’t think that far ahead. I’m in love with you and I just knew you had to feel the same way about me.”

“You just knew that, did you?”

“I’m a damn fine catch and totally hot and sexy. You’re one lucky woman,” he teased, chuckling after he spoke.

“You’re spoiling a perfectly good proposal.” She nudged him in the chest playfully.

“I just thought I’d lay it out for you. You know, make sure you know exactly what you’re getting.”

Placing her palm against his heart, she felt it beating. She knew exactly what she was getting and no one was ever going to take that away from her.

That day in the dog run, she’d found her soulmate. Maybe they’d both been a little damaged before they came into each other’s lives.

“How about we order dessert? Then I’ll take you home and we can properly celebrate.”

She rolled her eyes, the joy and laughter filling her heart. He really was a crazy man but he was going to be her crazy man. She felt herself filled with excitement for what the future held for the two of them.

This wasn’t the end of their story, not even by a long shot.

This was very much the beginning of the rest of their lives.