I knew, from the depths of my soul, that Sam was the rest of my life. Everything else would fall into place.
We’d fall up together.
So, sucking in a deep breath, I turned the page.
Then I burst into full-on tears.
Jumping to my feet, I threw my arms around Sam’s neck as he held me tight against his body.
There was no proposal.
But there was definitely a promise.
And, in that moment, it was better than any ring he could have put on my finger.
There was no picture. It was only a white page with the words: To be continued. (In thirty days.) “Well, that was anticlimactic,” Henry deadpanned.
I was still holding Sam impossibly tight when Meg’s hand slap his shoulder as she said, “That was mean!”
It wasn’t mean.
It was us.
And, more than that, it added a whole other gear to my drive to get myself together over the next month.
It was the best gift he could have ever given me.
“I love you so much,” I murmured into his neck.
He chuckled. “I can tell.”
“Thank you for not proposing.”
He laughed a little louder. “You’re welcome, Levee.”
“Please don’t sell Sampson to buy me a ring. And, just so you know, I’m not sure I’d marry you without the cock. So please keep that too.”
“Noted.” He squeezed me hard before releasing his grip.
I stepped away, suddenly aware of our audience and my makeup probably siding down my face. “So, who wants to eat?”
“Me!” Morgan yelled.
After picking up my new prized possession off the table, I snagged her hand. “Let’s go, pretty girl.”
As we walked away I could hear Sam’s mom scolding him for the non-proposal.
He just laughed. “Stop, Ma. She loved it.”
I really, really did.
The party was winding down, and Morgan had just finished blowing out the candles on her makeshift birthday cake. Henry and I were huddled around her, taking pictures so she could show her friends, when there was an angry knock at the front door. Initially, I assumed it was someone else Sam had invited, since they’d clearly gotten through the security gate, but the moment it swung open, I realized I should have made changing my codes and keys a priority.
Devon stormed in, leveling me with a murderous glare before I even had the chance to utter a hello. Or, more likely, a get-the-fuck-out.
“You fucking married him!” he roared, raking his eyes over my dress and getting the completely wrong idea about what kind of party we were having.
And, because I was still hurt from the little stunt he’d pulled in Maine, not even to mention his showing up and screaming at me in front of a room full of people, I answered, “Yep. And you were not invited. Leave.”
“You ungrateful bitch,” he snapped before stumbling off-balance, barely keeping himself upright by leaning back on the wall.
Is he drunk? I’d never even seen him have a drink.
Henry and Sam both rushed forward.
“Hey! Watch your mouth,” Sam growled.
Devon’s eyes flashed to Sam just seconds before his fist clumsily sailed through the air. Sam was able to move out of the way. Henry wasn’t so lucky.
“Oh, God!” the whole room gasped as Henry stumbled back, cupping his jaw.
Ryan and Ty both jumped in their direction. Thankfully, from out of nowhere, Carter came barreling into the room, wrapping Devon in a bear hug from behind before slamming him to the ground.
“How could you do this to me?” Devon screamed from the ground as Carter held him in place with a knee in this back. “I love you!”
“You what?” I shrieked back at him, more confused than ever.
“Oh, fuck,” Henry mumbled, still rubbing his jaw.
“I’ve given up my life for you, Levee. I’ve spent every waking minute at your side. I’m a fucking bodyguard, not your servant. Or even your driver or butler. But I sucked it up and did it for you because I love you.”