Because my heart had just grown three sizes, and my eyes were burning, and I wasn’t even going to pretend I was cool about it.
I looked up at him, tears clinging to my lashes.
“I love you, too,” I said, voice thick. “I love you so much.”
Theo’s throat bobbed as he swallowed, like he was feeling just as emotional in this moment as I was.
And when he pulled me into his arms again, I held on tight, pressing my face into his shoulder, breathing him in like I needed proof this was real.
When we finally pulled away, we were both smiling like idiots.
Happy. Giddy. A little stunned.
Charlotte chose that exact second to wrap her arms around my waist and squeeze.
“I love you, too,” she announced, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
And my heart just melted because I loved that little girl so much.
So I said, “I love you, too, Charlotte,” squeezing her right back.
After a moment, she pulled back. Then she gestured for me to come down to her level so she could whisper something in my ear. “And my daddy says you might get to be my mommy someday.”
I sucked in a breath. Warmth flooding my chest so fast it almost knocked the breath out of me. I whispered back into her ear, “I would love that.”
Charlotte’s grin turned huge. And when I straightened again, my gaze instantly went to Theo’s. And from the look in his eyes… Yeah. He knew exactly what we’d said.
But instead of looking upset or worried, he simply lookedhappy.
Like the idea didn’t scare him one bit.
Theo cleared his throat then, like he needed to pull himself together before he got even more emotional.
“Now,” he said, nodding toward the smaller bouquet. “About this one.”
He turned to Charlotte, then dropped onto one knee in front of her, as if this was the most serious and important moment of the night. Then, holding out the bouquet to her with a solemn expression that lasted maybe two seconds before his mouth twitched, he said, “Charlotte ‘Bug’ Archibald. Will you please be my little princess?”
Charlotte went bashful instantly, her shoulders creeping up toward her ears.
“Of course,” she said, clutching the bouquet and nodding so hard it looked like her whole body agreed. Then lifting the flowers to her nose and sniffing dramatically, she said, “These smell likepwincessflowers.”
Theo laughed and scooped her into his arms, hugging her tight.
And just like that, she squirmed out of his hold. As she dashed inside the suite, she said, “I know just where to put these!”
And suddenly, it was quiet out on the balcony.
Just me and Theo and the ocean below us.
He stepped closer, hands settling at my waist before he kissed me again. “I love you,” he murmured against my mouth.
“I love you,” I whispered back, like I could say it a thousand times and still not get over the fact that it was true.
As I rested my head against his chest and we watched the waves rolling in the dark, I couldn’t stop smiling.
Because I was Theo’s girlfriend.
And if I played my cards right…