‘Not to mention the fact that I love you too,’ she murmured against his mouth.
He bent back a little and smiled. ‘Despite my many failings?’
‘And because of them.’ She grinned. ‘And I’m not exa
ctly without fault, you know.’
‘You are to me.’
She traced the creases at his eyes with her fingertips and felt him shake. ‘You look like hell.’
‘The last couple of weeks haven’t exactly been my finest.’
‘Nor mine.’
‘You look amazing. You smell amazing.’ He rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. ‘God, I’m sorry I was such an idiot. And for so long.’
‘That’s OK. You can spend the rest of your life making it up to me.’
‘I intend to.’ Then he released her, dug in his pocket and drew out a small velvet box and handed it to her. ‘This is for you.’
Bella took the box with shaking fingers, her heart squeezing and her throat tightening.
‘Actually, maybe you shouldn’t open it now,’ he said, his voice sounding a little shaky. ‘Maybe you should open it later. Maybe doing this kind of thing at someone else’s wedding isn’t really all that appropriate.’
‘Nervous, Will?’ she said with a tiny smile.
‘Petrified. I’ve never bought jewellery before. Plus, you’re a jeweller and that makes the whole thing even more nerve-racking.’
Holding her breath, Bella released the catch and slowly opened the box. And there, nestling in a bed of deep purple velvet, was the most beautiful diamond solitaire ring she’d ever seen.
‘Do you like it?’ he said.
Like it? Her breathing was all over the place and her eyes were stinging, because it was everything she’d ever imagined, everything she’d ever hoped for, and so much more. ‘It’s beautiful. I love it. And I love you.’
‘Then please say you’ll marry me,’ he said softly, taking the box from her and sliding the ring onto her finger.
She stared up at him, saw the love blazing in his eyes and wondered if it was possible to be happier. She gave him a dazzling smile and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressed herself against him and breathed, ‘Well, if you absolutely insist … ‘
*