Just for Christmas - Emily Harvale Page 0,66

done to Chance. But she also winked at Molly. ‘Please say yes. I feel you are already family, but I’d quite like to make it official.’

‘We’ll go too,’ Sarah said. ‘You know where we’ll be if you need us. Not that I think you will. Have fun. We love you.’ She turned to look at Chance. ‘Don’t you dare mess this up, or you’ll have us to answer to.’

‘I promise you, the last thing I want to do is mess this up.’ He smiled at them before turning his attention back to Molly.

‘You had better be serious about this, mate,’ Terry said.

Chance held Molly’s gaze as he answered his friend. ‘I am. I’m deadly serious.’

‘Okay. See you later then. Happy New Year’s Eve.’

Sarah and Terry kissed Molly on the cheek and waved at Chance but neither Molly nor Chance paid any attention. They were too busy gazing at one another.

‘Are you coming in?’ Chance asked. ‘Or do I have to go down on one knee on the doorstep?’

‘Are you … are you seriously proposing to me?’

‘Er. That was the plan. I thought I was. Don’t you want me to?’

‘The plan was to propose to Jolene tonight, not me.’

‘Ah. I see your point. I should’ve chosen another venue, shouldn’t I? Or another night? The thing is, Molly. I’ve just flown back from New York. I only arrived about an hour ago. To be honest, I’m not quite sure what’s going on in my head. But I am sure of one thing. And that is, that I love you with all of my heart. And that I want to marry you, and spend my life with you. And I want that to start as soon as possible. Okay, that’s possibly three things. Maybe four. But there’re all rolled into one in my head and my heart.’

Molly tried to contain her excitement.

‘Oh really? And do I have any say in this matter?’

‘Er. Yes. Of course. Are you … are you saying you don’t feel the same way about me? Because I was pretty sure you did. And Mum is certain of it. But if I’ve misjudged the situation, please tell me now. It won’t change the way I feel. And I’ll still propose. I’ll do everything I can to make you fall in love with me, if you haven’t done so. I’m quite a good guy. I know you might not believe that, bearing in mind I kissed you when I had another girlfriend. Twice. But I swear to you, that’s not something I’ve ever done before, or ever will again. I only did that because it was you, Molly. That sounds lame, doesn’t it? But it’s the truth. And the thing is, I really can’t imagine my life without you. I honestly can’t.’

She couldn’t do it to him. She couldn’t make him worry that she might not feel for him what he obviously felt for her.

‘It’s a good thing that I love you too then, isn’t it? That I want to spend my life with you. And I can’t wait for that to start.’

‘So … you do love me? Really love me?’

‘I do really love you. Really. Really. Really love you. But I want a proper proposal. And not outside, here in the snow. I’m freezing!’

He beamed at her, slipped the ring and the box back into his trouser pocket, dashed to her and swept her into his arms, carrying her into the hall where he stood her on her feet and kissed her.

His kiss was better than both his previous kisses had been. It was deeper. It was more passionate. It made her feel as if she were floating on air, or dancing in moonlight. It made her feel as if she were the most beautiful woman on this earth. It sent all sorts of sensations rushing through her. And when he eventually released her, took her hand and led her along the hall, she knew that all her hopes and wishes and dreams were about to become reality.

‘Chance?’

‘Yes, Molly.’

‘Before you propose properly, there’s just one little thing I need to know.’

He tipped his head to one side and looked her directly in the eye.

‘What’s that? I’ll tell you anything you want and I’ll be completely honest.’

‘Do you have a bed? Because if you think I’m sleeping on the floor, I’m not. Not even with the man I adore.’

His face was a picture as he roared with laughter and happiness.

‘It just so happens, the bed was delivered today. Mum and Bruce