Page 65 of Let Me Love You

Clearly, Colt knows exactly where this is going, and I have a feeling I do too.

Well, giddyup, Blake. I believe congratulations are in order.

22

BLAKELY

My heart feels like it’s beating a billion times per minute as Theo heads toward the stage with a pep in his step. He takes the stairs two at a time and saunters over to stand behind the podium.

His black suit fits him like a glove, showcasing the broad shoulders I know intimately as he scans the room. His gaze lands on me.

“I want to thank everyone for being here. But especially, I want to thank the Thorne in my side, and no, I’m not talking to you, Colt.” The crowd laughs, and I roll my eyes as Theo gives me a pointed look and adds, “And before you ask, no. I’m not up here because I lost a bet, Blake.”

I laugh a little harder, ignoring the attention from the guests surrounding me while staring up at the man of my dreams on stage. Their attention doesn’t matter. Because right now, it’s only me and Teddy, the crowd disappearing more and more with every passing second, though I have no idea where he’s going with this.

“This year has brought a lot of changes for all of us,” Teddy continues. “Whether you’ve played professionally and were traded to the Lions, or you’re signing your first contract. Whether Buchanan offered you a job to work on the medical staff like he did with my older brother, or if you’re moving here because you fell in love with a professional athlete who, for better or worse, can have their life turned upside down at the drop of a hat, and you now have a new state to call home.”

Melissa smiles across from me and grabs her husband’s hand resting on the table.

“Whatever it is, I want you to know you’re not alone. We’ve all experienced many changes, and they can be scary sometimes.”

His gaze meets mine again, hitting me square in the chest.

Because yeah. There have been a lot of changes lately. And yeah. Those changes have been scary as shit.

“I dunno about you, but when I’m hit with a lot of changes in a short amount of time, I like to cling to the familiar,” he adds. “The things I don’t want to change. The things that get me through the day, no matter what life throws at me. Things or people or routines that bring a sense of comfort when the rest of our lives can feel like a mess. It can be something like coffee. Or your favorite couch. Maybe it’s a TV show you have memorized.” His gaze meets mine. “For me, it’s a person. A girl. A girl who’s been my constant. A girl who’s stood by me no matter what. A girl who knows me better than anyone. A girl who would move mountains if she needed to, just to see me smile.”

My teeth dig into my bottom lip as I stare up at him, fighting the moisture collecting in my eyes no matter how impossible it feels.

Damn you, Teddy.

For being so sweet and thoughtful and embarrassing and sexy and…

I bite my bottom lip and mouth to him, “Olive juice.”

His smile turns my insides into mush. Then, he addresses the rest of the room like I’m not even here. “Now, she’s young. And her mom’s gonna give her a lot of shit for this, but I knew if I didn’t put a ring on it, if I didn’t stand up here and make a fool out of myself in front of all my future teammates and the Lions organization in general, I’d regret it.” He finds me again in the crowd and grins, the look melting me on the spot. “So will you, Blakely Thorne, the Thorne in my side, the cinnamon-loving, hell on wheels with the mouth of a sailor,”—the crowd laughs—“most beautiful person I’ve ever met, both inside and out. Will you be my wife? My constant? My rock?” He gulps, his confidence shifting to uncertainty with a side of sincerity and hope. “Will you marry me?”

Will. You. Marry. Me.

I blink, my brain short-circuiting.

Yup. It’s definitely what he just said.

Holy crap on a cracker, Batman.

Did Teddy Taylor just propose to me in front of his entire team?

Am I dreaming?

Am I hallucinating?

Am I really going to be a Taylor for the rest of my life?

Theo rocks back on his heels and clears his throat, looking uncomfortable for the first time since he took the stage. “Any day now, Baby Thorne. Take your time.”

My laugh bubbles out of me as I cover my mouth and blink back tears, but they roll down my face anyway, ruining my makeup as I stare up at the man in front of me.

“Nothing to say?” he prods. “What? Do you like me looking like a fool up here? Come on, babe. Put me out of my misery and answer the damn question.”