Page 126 of Play the Last Card
“You love it,” I accuse him. To be fair, I didn’t ever force him to watch them with me. He just got hooked one day and now he’s begging me not to watch without him.
“I blame you. You got me addicted to these silly reality shows.” He shakes his head, glancing down at me. His eyes soften instantly and it makes my heart jump.
I’m soin love with him.
The last eighteen months has been the happiest of my life. Losing Pops was devastating. Therapy was—isrough. I’m still working on myself and getting through my grief. But I sometimes find myself thinking back on the months that I’d kept Scott and I a secret and I mentally kick myself for it. I needed to heal, I needed to move on from the stubborn grudge I kept. And I have.
I’m even a football fan now.
But fucking hell, I was an idiot back then.
The thing I love most though is now, after a tough day mentally or physically at work, I get to come home and crawl into bed next to Scott.
The love of my life.
I couldn’t imagine keeping this a secret now. No way.
Scott shifts, moving from behind me to stand.
“Do you want some ice cream?” he asks, already halfway to the kitchen. He knows the answer.
“Of course.” I turn back to the TV, sinking into the couch cushions.I pay attention to the screaming match the housewives are having over yet another dinner table. I let out another genuine laugh. They are ridiculous.
“These people have everything yet they still find stuff to complain about. Fifteen seasons and they’re still having the same fights,” I tell Scott. He gives a noncommittal grunt in reply.
I turn my head in time to watch him round the corner of the couch with a food tray in hand. On the tray are two bowls filled with ice cream.
A single red rose.
And a box.
A small box.
A box only big enough for a ring.
“Oh my god.” I don’t mean to let the words slip from my mouth but they do anyway.
Scott sets the tray down on the ottoman in front of me. Then he gets on one knee.
Tears well in my eyes. Goosebumps spread over my skin. Nerves and excitement mix and mingle in my stomach, turning it over and over again. I shake my head, staring at the man in front of me in disbelief.
In the background, the housewives are still screaming at one another.
I can’t help but let out a laugh, leaning over to bury my face in my hands. Holy shit. Is he actually doing this?
“Ivy,” Scott begins but I look up and launch forward, nearly toppling off the couch. I reach for the remote and shut the television off.
“Okay, now go.” I sit back on the couch, but I’m at the very edge now with Scott kneeling in front of me.
“Ivy. I love you.”
“I love you too,” I interrupt, smiling like a fucking idiot.
“Baby, you have to let me get through this,” he chuckles. He picks up the small box from the tray and holds it in one hand. The other covers my knee.
I stay silent, nodding my head to urge him on.
“I love you. So much.” Scott’s thumb begins to trace a pattern on my skin. “I have been falling for you from the moment I saw you in that bar. Just catching a glimpse of you through the window had me walking in the door and taking a seat. It’s like my body knew what my heart didn’t yet. The last year and a half with you has been the happiest of my life. Watching you grow, and heal, and fall in love with what I love. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I know it wasn’t easy but I want you to know how proud I am of you. Of how far you’ve come. Pops, your mom and dad, they’d be so proud of you, too.”