He reaches out and settles those big, warm hands of his on my knees and gives them a squeeze. “Actually, I do, but we gotta make it quick. So … how about now?”

I meet his gaze, see all the love and worry and anxiousness swirling within the blue depths of his eyes. God, I love him so much. I want to make him happy. I plan on making him happy for the rest of our lives. I can only hope I’m enough.

“Now?” I whisper, my throat aching with the one, simple word. We’re deciding our future right now. This is a moment I will never, ever forget.

He nods, his thumb caressing the inside of my knee. Tingles scatter all over my skin at his touch, sending electricity zipping through my veins. The slightest smile curves his lips, the intimate one that’s just for me, that no one else ever sees.

I love that smile. I love knowing that what we share isn’t for anyone else. But lately in Drew’s world I’ve been feeling … less than. It’s a feeling I used to struggle with constantly, especially when we were first together. His life overwhelmed me completely. I was simple. Some might’ve called me trash. Okay, fine—lots of people called me trash. Just like Mom. Worthless. Whore. I’d heard those words so many times they meant nothing to me.

Until I met Drew and I wanted to become someone different, someone worthy of him.

Drew was far from simple. Complex and rich and gorgeous, everything seemed to come easy to him. But it didn’t. His world was shit. His father was oblivious to what was going on. His stepmother was an evil witch who molested him. He let me into his life, and I changed it for the better.

But what if he finds someone else? What if there really is someone else out there for him, someone better than me? He’ll be traveling. On the road with the team, playing games all over the country, and I’ll be stuck at home, making sure Owen’s getting good grades. I can’t pull my brother out of his high school. He’s lived his entire life here, has friends, is on the football team. He works at The District, just like I used to. His life is good there.

Drew and I are in love and we want to spend the rest of our lives together. Yet here I sit full of insecurities while this beautiful man is trying to convince me to run away with him and get married.

I mean, really. What the hell is wrong with me?

“Okay.” I blow out a harsh breath, trying to gather my wayward thoughts. They’re scattered everywhere, trying to figure out what’s the best next step when deep down, I already know what that step is. “Where do you want to get married? Vegas?” A quickie marriage had always been the plan. We don’t have enough family to warrant throwing a big wedding and we didn’t want the hassle anyway.

He grimaces and shakes his head, then moves so he’s sitting right next to me on the couch, slinging an arm around my shoulders. Leaning in, he nuzzles my hair with his nose, breathing deep, and I close my eyes when I feel his lips on my forehead. “I was thinking Hawaii,” he murmurs.

Drew

Fable pulls away so she can gape at me, her hand resting on my chest. I wonder if she can feel the vibration trembling just beneath my skin, my wildly beating heart. I’m f**king nervous she’s going to say no. Why, I’m not sure, because my girl said yes to me a year ago. We just haven’t done anything about it yet. “Are you serious?” she asks.

I nod, keeping my expression solemn though everything inside me feels like it’s spiraling out of control. What if she says no? What if I’m ruining her dream of having a giant wedding? I don’t think I am. She’s never mentioned she wanted a huge ceremony. It’s not her style. And we’ve already discussed most of the details, so we’re pretty much on the same page. “As a heart attack.”

“How long can you get away for?” Her fingers curl into my shirt and I’m having a sense of déjà vu. How many times has she pushed at my chest, like she wants to shove me away when really she’s always tugging me back. Pulling me in, absorbing me.

And I always want to absorb her. Take her in and make her mine. Again and again and again.

Yeah. I’ve got it bad right now. It’s all the change happening in our lives. I secretly long to return to a simpler time. To the happiest time of my life, only a year ago, when we were falling deeper and deeper in love as every day passed. When I was still in college and she worked at the restaurant full time. When we would go over to Jen and Colin’s house and hang out, sometimes bringing Owen with us, along with his friend Wade. Like a happy little family. My heart had been full. Fuller than it had ever felt in my entire life.

I long for that feeling again. I want to fill my heart with nothing but Fable. I need to focus on this girl, this woman who’s about to become my wife.

My f**king wife. People say we’re too young, but I don’t care. When it’s right, you know.

And I definitely know.

She’s watching me now, those big green eyes shimmering as she waits. She looks ready to cry, and it better not be from sadness.

“How long do you want to take a Hawaiian vacation?” I ask.

A giant grin breaks out across her face. She looks beyond happy. “Can we sit on the beach and sip mai tais?”

“We can do whatever you want.” I squeeze her close, press my face against the top of her head. I can smell her shampoo. I close my eyes as the silky, soft strands of her hair tickle my skin.

She tucks her face against my neck, her lips moving against my skin as she speaks. “Romantic sunset ceremony?”