“That’s why I sat down that day. I’d been thinking about you and suddenly there you were. From the very start I thought of you as a woman I enjoyed spending time with. I never saw you as some pawn in a plan.” Trent paused and swallowed. “Then before I knew it, I was in love with you.”
Trent’s thick and unsteady voice pulled at her and tears slid down her face.
“When I asked you to marry me, it was because I love you, not because Marty says I need a wife.” He released her hands and wiped a tear from her cheek. “This time without you has been unbearable. I need you, Addison.” His voice cracked and his eyes glistened with tears.
Could she believe him? More than anything she wanted to. What if this was all just an act? “Trent, how do I know this
isn’t just ploy? A way to get me to fall in line with your plan? I love you and want to believe you, but I just don’t know if I can.” She spoke with as reasonable a voice as she could manage.
He wiped another tear away, and then took her hands again in his. “I know. That’s why I’ve decided not to run for the Senate. Marty let all the media outlets know at four o’clock this morning that I have no intention of running. It was on the front page of all the papers and on the morning news. Someone else can have Senator Harrison’s seat.”
Addie’s mouth dropped open. “What?”
“You’re more important than some seat in Senate. If it means you’ll marry me, I won’t ever go into politics. I’ll stay with Sherbrooke Enterprises for the rest of my life. Or come and work for you. Hell, if it makes you happy I’ll be a stay at home dad when we have children.”
Her mind reeled from his words. “You won’t ever run for office?” Her voice came out as a mere whisper.
“I’ll never enter politics if that’s what you want,” he said repeating his previous statement.
Her mind worked on processing his words. “But it’s important to you, Trent.”
He raised their joined hands toward his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “You’re more important. Please say you’ll marry me.” Trent released her hands then pulled out the diamond engagement ring he’d proposed with before.
Please answer me. Addie sat across from him staring at the ring. He’d said what was in his heart and she’d at least listened. But had it been enough? So far she’d said little. “Addie, do you need time?” It would kill him if she left tonight without answering him, but he’d give her more time and space if she needed it.
Addie met his eyes, tears falling down her cheeks. “No, I don’t need time,” she said in a broken whisper. “I can’t let you give up your goals. If you don’t run someday, you’ll regret it and blame me. You’ll resent me.”
She hadn’t said no. That was a start. “That’s not—”
“I need a promise from you,” she said before he could finish.
“Anything.”
“Promise you’ll stick with your plan and run someday, maybe in six years.”
“But Addie—”
“Promise me. I know how important it is to you.” Her voice left no room for argument.
He pulled her left hand toward him. “If that’s what you want.” He slipped the ring on her finger. “Now, will you marry me?” She’ll say yes. He repeated the sentence over and over in his head. She’d marry him.
Her eyes dropped from his face and locked on the diamond. As if making sure it was real she touched it and then looked up. Tears still welled up in her eyes, but a brilliant smile lit up her face. She nodded and sniffled at the same time. “Yes.” She threw her arms around his neck.
The weight he’d carried around since she left lifted from his body and he wrapped his arms around her. Then he captured her mouth, the feel of her lips against his sending a shock wave through his whole body. “I love you,” he whispered against her mouth.
Addie kissed him back, her lips barely touching his. “I love you, too.” She pulled back and looked at him. “I need to tell you something.”
The excitement from before faded from her voice, and he recalled the original reason for her visit. “I’m listening.” He took her hand again, the need for physical contact great.
“Trent, I’m... ” Addie stopped. “I’m pregnant, Trent.”
Blood pounded in his ears and he stared at Addie.
“Trent?”
“How? Are you sure?” She’d told him she was on the pill.
“Do you remember when I had strep?”