A Sweet Mess - Jayci Lee Page 0,106

him. He couldn’t let his desperation color what her words meant.

“Are you still afraid, Landon?”

“No, because I won’t fail you.”

“But that’s not possible.” He sucked in a breath to protest strongly, but Aubrey placed the tips of her fingers on his parted lips. Even at a time like this, his body jumped in response. “Life isn’t perfect, but that’s okay. If you falter, I’ll catch you, and you’ll do the same for me.”

Landon froze and stopped breathing until air whooshed out from his lungs in a rush. “Does that mean … Does that mean you’ll have me?”

“Oh, I’ll have you, all right.” Aubrey’s voice was strong and bold as though nothing held her back.

Landon stared at her in awe. If he spoke, she might disappear. But a bright, wonderous smile lit her face.

“You’re right. We are worth fighting for. No matter what.”

“You’re amazing.” He gazed at her with wide-eyed wonder. “I don’t deserve you.”

“Landon Kim, I’m forever yours—heart, body, and soul,” Aubrey said. “I’ll hold and cherish your heart in mine, as I trust you to hold my heart in yours.”

Relief, love, and joy rushed through him, and he began trembling.

“Oh, Landon.” She tightened her arms around him. “Hush, love. We’re together. Everything is all right now.”

“Now that you’re mine, I’m never letting you go.” He spoke when his teeth finally stopped chattering.

“I’m counting on it.” She leaned in to kiss him, but he rose from the couch, pulling her to her feet. Not yet. We have time now.

“Close your eyes and come with me.” He led her down the hallway, tightly gripping her hand. “Now open them.”

They were in the nursery. He hadn’t known the sex of the baby, so Aria had suggested he paint the room a soft cream with a matching baby mobile and plush nursing chair. He hadn’t known half the stuff in the room even existed, but he’d done his research to create a nursery that Aubrey would love. A place she would want to raise their baby in.

“Do you like it?” When she remained silent and still, Landon rubbed the back of his neck and rushed to explain himself. “You could change anything you don’t like. I didn’t know we were having a daughter.”

“Is this your house? You bought a house by Weldon?”

“Our house. Your life, your friends, and your dream. It’s all in Weldon. I would never take you away from that. I know you have a cottage, but with the baby coming, I thought we would need more room. Especially when we have more children.” Heat rose from his neck, and he shrugged sheepishly. “I mean, if you want more children, that is.”

“Landon, I love it. This nursery is perfect for her. And this wonderful house, we’ll make it our home. For us and the rest of the munchkins to come.”

He nodded again and again, the lump in his throat preventing him from speaking. Landon didn’t know what he’d done to deserve Aubrey, but he would live the rest of his life becoming worthy of her.

Aubrey’s gaze shifted from his face, and a strained silence fell. She walked around the room, running her hands over the furniture. “When did you do all this? The house? The nursery?”

“As soon as I found your message in a bottle. Aria and Lucien were a huge help. Annoying as hell, but helpful nonetheless.” His words tripped over each other. “Will you and the baby live here with me?”

“Of course.” Aubrey cocked her head and gave Landon a mischievous look. “Where else would we stay? You’d better not be trying to get out of diaper duty.”

With a burst of nervous laughter, Landon rushed to her side and grasped her hands, falling into the depths of her warm, brown eyes. Hardly believing she was real, he leaned down and kissed her until they were both breathless.

“Aubrey Choi, I love you with everything I am.”

“And I love you more than words.”

“Are you really mine?” he said, running his thumb across her rosy cheek.

“Yes. I’m yours forever and ever.” She turned her head and placed a kiss in the palm of his hand.

“What did I do to deserve you?”

“Some guys just have all the luck.”

25

Landon stepped out of the kitchen, drying his hands on a dish towel. He had some time before he needed to grill the meat, so he joined his younger brother on the porch.

“Lucky bastard,” Seth mumbled, taking another bite out of the brownie cookie. Another Aubrey Choi masterpiece—a perfect amalgam of rich, dark chocolate and chewy