Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 82(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 82(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
My phone buzzes. It's Diana.
She's on her way up. Good luck!
"Places," I whisper to Doug, who trots to his hiding spot with surprising obedience. The tiny velvet box is secured to his collar, hidden under the custom sweater Alyssa knitted him.
The door opens.
"Damien? Why are there rose petals on the steps? And what's with the—" Alyssa stops at the top of the stairs, hand flying to her mouth. "Oh my God."
I step forward, taking her hand. "Surprise."
"What is this place?" Her eyes are wide, taking in the open-concept living space, the kitchen island built to her height, not mine.
"Ours. If you want it." I lead her through the apartment toward the rooftop garden. "I've been working on it these past few months."
She steps onto the rooftop, gasping at the pergola draped in lights and greenery. "You built all this? For us?"
"For you." I guide her to the center of the pergola. "This is what I do, Alyssa. I build things. Fix things. But nothing I've ever built matters like what we've built together."
Her eyes shimmer with tears. "Damien..."
I whistle softly, and Doug emerges from behind a planter, trotting proudly toward us in his little sweater.
"What's that on his collar?" she asks, kneeling down.
Doug sits patiently while she unties the small box. When she opens it, revealing the vintage sapphire ring that matches her eyes, she sucks in a sharp breath.
"From enemies to co-parents," I say, nodding toward Doug as I drop to one knee. "I love you, Alyssa James. Marry me."
"Yes! Yes, of course I'll marry you."
I slide the ring onto her finger, and Doug barks his approval, dancing around our legs. I lift Alyssa into my arms, kissing her deeply under the pergola I built with these hands—hands that will spend a lifetime building a home with her.
"I love you, Damien. Forever and ever."
"I love you more, baby."
With the woman I love in my arms and our ridiculous little dog circling our feet, I know I've finally built something that will last forever.
The End