Souvenirs (30 page)

As they strolled away, the crowd thinned then disappeared. Realizing they were alone, Ben slowed their steps and hailed a cab. Once inside and underway, he pulled her close.

“I wanted you to be pregnant,” he said. “It’s why I believed it so quickly.”

“And why it hurt so much,” she admitted.

“Damn,” he whispered as he kissed her temple. “I’m sorry.”

“Me, too,” she sighed. “Thank you.”

“For making you feel like a dirty secret?”

“For worrying about me and trying to protect me, and for tonight.” She dropped her head to his shoulder and closed her eyes.

“I’ll always worry about you, and I’ll always fight for you.” He rested his cheek against her hair. “And you can remind me to loosen up.”

They were quiet for the rest of the drive, ignoring the city outside the windows. The cab stopped at his front door.

“Fe brought your things here,” he said as he helped her to the curb. “It’s the last high-handed thing I’ll do, at least until tomorrow.”

He held the front door and then walked her to the spot she’d occupied the previous evening. Dropping to one knee, he looked up at her. The movie star smile was gone. Now his shy one, the expression she loved, shaped his features. His eyes burned bright as he took her hand in both of his.

“I can’t bear another day waking without you or another night reaching for you on the other side of the bed. I want to work and play, and fight, by your side. I want to see the world one film set at a time and start a production company and spend rainy weekends in Yorkshire, all with you. And when we’re old and gray, I want to go on pensioner tours and tell strangers about our grandchildren.”

Grace stopped battling her tears and let them fall as she nodded. “I love-”

“Don’t interrupt me.” He squeezed her fingers. “We’ve traveled around the world, and every time I thought I loved you, you gave me more to love.”

She sank to the floor in front of him. “And you’ve given me everything I ever wanted. Everything I didn’t know I needed.” Tears blurred her vision. “I’m so sorry I hurt you last night. I never should have-”

“Not the past,” he cut in with a whisper as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “You taught me that. Forward, doll.”

“I love you.” They were the words she’d wanted to say for a year, and it felt so incredibly right to finally say them.

He kissed her then, his smile evident in the way his lips curved against hers. As he held her, Grace felt more than wanted. She was safe and secure.

Treasured.

He backed away and took her hand. “May I?” When she nodded, he slid the ring over her knuckle. His smile shook.

“I’m lost without you, Idgie. Please marry me.”

The ring had been heavy in her hand last night. Now it weighted her finger, begging for her attention. Grace couldn’t be bothered. She didn’t care about anything but the hopeful look in Ben’s bright blue eyes. Her gangly lad from Yorkshire.

She’d make him happy for the rest of his life.

“Yes.”