Eligible Receiver (Men of Fall #3)- S.R. Grey Page 0,51

moment.

I’m no longer worried about anything.

I know that we are truly together, as one, stronger than ever.

What I told Lars is true—I will never run from him ever again.

He’s finally caught me.

But there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

Forever Promises

In the days ahead, so much happens.

First, Becca and I finally have that talk we put off.

So much is resolved. We work out all of our misunderstandings. I apologize to her for what Mandy did—absconding my phone and texting those stupid selfies and the rude text to her.

Becca, shaking her head, replies, “Lars, stop. I’m not even mad about that any longer.”

We’re hanging in our favorite spot, seated on the Adirondack chairs on her back porch, drinking iced tea on a beautiful June evening.

Crickets are chirping, and the sun has painted the sky in beautiful shades of red, orange, and purple.

“I know you’re not,” I say, sighing. “But I still feel bad about it.”

Reaching over and taking my hand, Becca says, “Well, don’t. I’m fine. It’s all in the past, so let’s leave it there.”

I squeeze her hand. “Sounds good to me. And I couldn’t agree more. In fact, I’ve been thinking about something.”

“Ooh, do tell,” she says, cocking her head as she peers over at me.

“I’ve been thinking about us,” I state quietly. “And what lies ahead.”

“Ahh, so we’re moving from the past to the future now?”

“We are indeed. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Moving forward?”

“It is,” Becca agrees, swinging our interlocked hands between us. Shooting me a sly smile, she adds, “Only thing is my definition of moving forward has changed significantly.”

I think I know where this is going, but I still have to ask, “How do you mean?”

She stops swinging our hands but doesn’t let go.

I like that.

It shows me that she’s growing more comfortable in expressing her feelings.

Taking a deep breath, she explains, “I used to view ‘moving forward’ as running away. You know that.”

“Do I ever.”

“Lars!” Becca lets go of my hand so she can smack my forearm. “Be serious here.”

“Okay, okay, I am. I’ll be good.”

Turning her chair to face me, she goes on, “I don’t see it that way anymore. I told you the night we reunited that I’m never going to run from you, not ever again. And I won’t.”

I murmur softly, “I believe you.”

She nods.

But now it’s time for me to turn my chair to face her.

I have something important to ask Becca Nadeau.

“So about this new definition of moving forward…”

“Yes?” She raises a brow.

Sucking in a breath and releasing it quickly, I say in a rush of words, “I think we should get married.”

Her beautiful aqua eyes widen. “What?”

I fumble in the pocket of the light jacket I have on for something I bought earlier today—a beautiful sparkling round diamond solitaire engagement ring.

I know this is Becca’s dream ring, because I confirmed it with Jodi. I also found out Becca’s ring size from her. Jodi was ecstatic, but I made her promise not to say a thing to Becca. Good thing she’s really good at keeping a secret.

I can tell from Becca’s expression when I pop open the little black velvet box that she never saw this one coming.

Dropping down to one knee, I ask, “Will you marry me, Becca?”

She swallows hard, and then the tears come.

I can tell they’re happy ones.

“Yes,” she murmurs. And then louder, she says, “Yes, yes, yes, Lars, I will marry you.”

“Woohoo!” I cry out.

She falls into my arms, but I stop her for a sec. “Wait, we’re forgetting something.”

She pulls back. “What?”

Taking her left hand and slipping the ring onto her ring finger, I say, “This.”

That makes Becca smile, and then she begins to laugh.

It’s the most joyful sound.

I quietly share what’s in my heart. “You just made me the happiest man on this planet.”

“I hope I can always make you happy,” she says. “Because you just did what you long ago promised—you’ve made all my dreams come true.”

“I always will, my love,” I promise. “Forever.”

Up next in the bestselling Men of Fall football romance series is Zane’s story in Down by Contact, releasing June 2021.

And in the bestselling Boys of Winter hockey romance books, look for Landen’s story, Bet on Ice, releasing January 2021.

S.R. Grey is a USA Today Bestselling Author of the popular Boys of Winter hockey books and Men of Fall football novels. Both series can be read in any order or as standalones. Other New Adult and Romantic Suspense works of hers include the Judge Me Not books, the Promises series,