He clears his throat, his eyes fall to my lips as I lick them, then he finds my gaze again. “Your touch brings me to my knees, and I know that I’ll never, ever get enough of you.”

He drags his knuckles down my cheek as he gazes down at me with so much love in his eyes, my breath catches and I can just watch him, struck dumb.

“Being in love with someone is an unconditional commitment. To love someone isn’t just a feeling, it’s a decision that you make every day, no matter what happens. It’s a judgment. A promise.”

He backs away, lays the umbrella on the ground, and falls to one knee, taking my hand in his.

“That being said, I’m asking you here, in this place that means so much to you, to marry me. Be my wife. My partner. I love you, Lauren, today and every day for the rest of my life.”

He reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out folded papers and a black box, flips it open, and holds them up to me. “This is a prenup. I don’t want anything but you, sweetness. Be mine, always.”

Tears fill my eyes as I fall to my knees before him. I take the papers from his grasp, and rather than read them, I keep his gaze locked on my own as I tear them apart and toss them into the water below.

“My heart isn’t just mine, you know. It belongs to you too. It always will, Ty. I don’t need a prenup. I trust you with all of me. Of course I’ll marry you.”

He smiles down at me as he places the gorgeous, round diamond solitaire on my finger, then scoops me up into his arms, rising effortlessly to his feet and spinning in a circle, kissing me firmly.

“I love you so much, sweetness.”

“I love you too.”

He nuzzles my nose as he sets me on my feet. “It’s a good thing you said yes. Jilly’s already put my house on the market.”

“Pretty sure of yourself, weren’t you?”

“Hopeful, my love.” He picks up the umbrella, tucks my hand in his, and pulls me to his side, guiding me back toward home. “Very hopeful.”