“I was thinking about something while you were away,” Logan said after a long stretch of silence, his voice a mix of nervousness and excitement.
I tilted my head up to look at him, his face glowing in the dim light. “What is it?”
He shifted, turning slightly so he could meet my eyes fully. “I know how much you’ve been working toward getting into medical school. I know how much that means to you.”
My heart skipped a beat, the warmth in his gaze making my chest tighten. “Logan...”
He held up a hand, smiling. “Hear me out, babygirl.”
I bit my lip, letting him continue.
“I’ve been looking into colleges in the city you want to move to. They have a great program for medical students, and I thought... maybe we could go together. You could focus on becoming the successful doctor I know you’re going to be.”
“And you?” I asked softly, my voice trembling with emotion.
He grinned, that mischievous, boyish grin I’d fallen for so many times. “I was thinking about studying music production. I mean, I’ve always loved playing guitar, and I think it’s time I did something with that. Something for me.”
My chest felt like it might burst. The idea of us starting fresh together, of both of us chasing our dreams side by side—it was more than I’d dared to hope for.
“Logan, I’m so happy,” I whispered, my hand cupping his cheek.
But he shook his head, his expression growing more serious. “That’s not the most important part.”
Before I could ask what he meant, he shifted, sitting up in the sheets and leaning down to press a deep, lingering kiss to my lips. My head spun as he pulled away, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that made my breath hitch.
And then, to my absolute shock, he slid out of bed and dropped to one knee.
I gasped, sitting up as my hand flew to my mouth. “Logan... what are you—”
“Emma,” he said, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “I’ve made mistakes. I’ve hurt you, I’ve let you down, and I’ve spent so much time trying to figure out how to make it up to you.”
Tears pricked at my eyes, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might explode.
“But through all of it, the one thing I’ve never doubted is how much I love you,” he continued.
He reached into the pocket of his sweatpants on the floor and pulled out a small velvet box, flipping it open to reveal the most beautiful ring I’d ever seen.
“I don’t want to wait anymore,” he said, his voice breaking slightly. “I don’t want to keep wondering what if. I want you, for the rest of my life. Marry me, Emma. That’s everything I’ve ever wished for.”
For a moment, I couldn’t speak. The world seemed to tilt around me, and all I could do was stare at him—at the man who had been through hell and back with me, who had made me cry and laugh and hope and believe.
“Yes,” I finally managed, my voice trembling as the tears spilled down my cheeks. “Yes, Logan. Yes!”
His face broke into the most breathtaking smile as he slid the ring onto my finger, and then he was pulling me into his arms, kissing me with a passion that stole my breath all over again.
We collapsed back onto the bed, tangled in each other, laughing and crying and kissing like the world outside didn’t exist. He gently moved in me. This time it was different, safe, and so warm to feel him inside.