Sheshook her head as though trying to dislodge something. “Beckett, I—”
He heldup a finger. “Hang on. I’m not done with my list of new habits.” He beganrocking on the balls of his feet. “A wife, kids, and a house big enough for allof us. Hell, throw in a dog too. This place looks like it has a decent yard.”
“You’regetting married?” she squeaked.
“Workingon it.” Motion caught his eye. “Uh-oh. Here comes your bulldog.” Norm waschugging at them like a fully loaded freight train.
Andieheld up a hand as if she were a traffic cop. “It’s okay, Norm. I got this.”
Hestopped dead in his freight-train tracks and glowered at Beckett. “You sure,Smalls?”
“I’llholler if I need you.”
Hestood in the street for a moment as though frozen. From the side of his mouth,Beckett said, “I’m glad he’s got your back.”
WhenNorm pivoted away, Andie squinted and wrinkled her nose, looking more confusedby the second. “What do you mean?”
Beckettarched an accusing eyebrow. “Well, you won’t let me have your back. Youhaven’t exactly been friendly.”
Shecanted her head and inhaled. “No, I was awful to you. I’m appalled when I thinkof how I acted.” Her eyes fixed on his and began to brim. He almost melted. Shewhispered, “I’m so sorry, Beck. I realize …”
He litup inside.
Yes!The old man was right!
He’dgrown closer to his dad this past month. In one of their many conversations,he’d asked what had made Mom finally give in. “I ignored her,” Dad had said.“Drove her crazy. Soon she was chasing me. Turns out she wanted mearound after all.”
Becketttook a steadying breath and squared his shoulders. “You realize what?” Hisvoice was surprisingly calm, belying his struggle to contain the elationtwisting around his jagged nerves. Running on pure adrenaline, he’d barelyslept or eaten since he’d heard her message—the message now indelibly etched inhis mental archives from all the times he’d replayed it.
Andielooked away for an instant, then swung her eyes back to his. “I pushed you away,Beck. Now there’s a big hole in my heart you used to fill.”
Hefought down a whoop trying to escape his chest. “That message you left.You wanted to know if there was anything you could do.”
Hereyes widened. “And?”
He tookone of her hands, folding it into his. “You can take me to that ball game likeyou promised. And there’s another promise I’d like to call in.”
A fewtears spilled down her cheek. “What’s that?”
“Youpromised you’d go to Cooper and Emily’s wedding if we were both unattached. It’sjust a few weeks away.” He flashed her his primo smile.
Oneside of her mouth quirked. “I thought you were getting married?”
“I am.Which is why I need your approval on this house, or any other damn house youwant. Hell, it can be the house you’re in now.” He gathered her other hand andpinned her now-dancing eyes with his. “Andie, I don’t care where the house isas long as you’re in it with me. I’ll even give up playing pro, if that’s whatit takes. And you don’t have to marry me if you don’t want to, although I’dhate to be outdone by my little brother. I want to fill that hole in your heartbecause I sure as hell have missed you.”
Thequirk curved into a smile. She glanced at their joined hands, then back intohis eyes. “I would never dream of keeping you from playing. But help a cluelessgirl out here. What are you really asking me?”
Stillgrasping her hands, he licked his suddenly dry lips and swallowed. “I’m askingyou to take another chance, to trust in me, in us. I’m asking you to start alife with me now, today, as my best friend and partner. I’m asking you to comepick out rings, go to the justice of the peace or whoever the hell will marryus, sign the license or whatever crap it is friends do to become husband andwife, and drive to the cabin so we can lock ourselves away and get down to thegood stuff—namely, lots of practice populating the planet with some littleMillers … or Andersons … or Miller-Andersons.”
Shegave him an impish look. “I think that would be Anderson-Millers, if I’m notmistaken.”
“Thosetoo.”
“BeckettMiller, you propose in the most … unexpected ways.”
“Yeah,well, my attempt at Mr. Romance was an epic fail. I thought I’d cut to thechase and go straight for Mr. Married Miller.”
Shegiggled through her tears. “Could we hole up someplace warm instead?”
“Hellyes! Pack that white bathing suit, or better yet, nothing at all.” He waggledhis eyebrows.
“You’rehopeless.” She rolled her eyes, but her tone was light, playful.
“Nothinga tiger tamer can’t handle for the rest of her life. Or a koala.”
Risingon tiptoe, she draped her arms around his neck. He pulled her close, buryinghis nose in her sweet-scented strands. “God, Andie, I’m so in love with you ithurts.”
Shepulled back and smiled at him. “And I love you too, Beck. More than I everthought I could love anyone, and it scares the hell out of me.”
“I’mright there with you. Let’s be scared together.” He brushed a slick of moisturefrom her cheeks. “So what do you say?”
Hersmile broadened, lighting up her face, showing off her glorious dimple. “Iprefer ‘best friend and partner’ over ‘tiger tamer.’ And Beck?” She scrunchedher nose. “I like your wild side as long as it’s a wolf-mated-for-life kindawild.”
“You’vecaged my heart, Andie, and I’m not going anywhere. This is for keeps.”
Shelifted her chin. “Please tell me this is the kissing part. That’s a habit I’dlike to go back to.”
“I likethe sound of that, but I haven’t heard a definitive yes yet.” He cupped an ear.
“Nofree samples?”
“Idon’t come cheap, Ms. Anderson.”
“Thebest never do, Mr. Miller.” A laugh shook her shoulders. God, he loved thatsound, and he loved that he was the cause of it. He’d make her laugh every dayfor the rest of his life.
Shereached up and cradled his jaw. “I’m trusting you with my heart, Beck. Yes.”
Bloodhammering through his body, he feathered his fingertip over her dimple. “I’llguard it with my life.”
Hereyes dropped to his mouth. “Now do I get my kiss?”
Withoutanother word,
