Chapter 12 #3
“James…” she started her voice barely above a whisper, the emotion in her chest threatening to overwhelm her.
He didn’t say anything at first, just watched her with a gaze that was steady, filled with something raw and unguarded. Then, slowly, he took a step closer, his expression softening.
Evie’s steps slowed as she approached James, her eyes flicking from the candles to the low table, then back to him.
The way he was standing—calm, composed, but with a slight tension in his shoulders—made her chest tighten.
She stopped a few feet away, her breath catching in her throat as he reached for something on the table.
“Hey,” he said softly, his voice breaking the stillness.
“Hi,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She glanced at the papers he was holding, her brows knitting together in confusion. “What are those?”
He stepped closer, holding them out to her. His hand brushed hers briefly as she took them, the simple touch sending a jolt of warmth through her. She glanced down at the papers, her eyes skimming the bold title at the top.
“Divorce papers?” she said, her tone laced with confusion. She looked up at him, her heart sinking.
“Hold on,” he interrupted quickly, raising a hand as if to stop her thoughts from spiraling. “Just… let me explain.”
Evie narrowed her eyes slightly, the papers dangling from her fingers.
“You’re going to need to because this doesn’t look very romantic.”
James let out a nervous chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, okay, not the best first impression,” he admitted. He gestured to the papers. “Those are exactly what you think they are. The end of our six-month agreement.”
Her stomach twisted, but she kept her expression steady. “Okay…” she said cautiously. “So why are you giving them to me?”
“Because,” he said, his voice softening, “I don’t want you to sign them.”
Her brows shot up. “What?”
“I’m not asking for a divorce,” he said, his hands moving to his pockets as he rocked slightly on his heels. “I’m… I’m asking for something else.”
Evie blinked, her heart pounding as she stared at him. “James, what are you talking about?”
Thoughts flooded her mind. Hopes. Questions. She wasn’t sure what exactly because so many things came at her at once
If someone were to ask her what she hoped James would say next, she wouldn't have been able to tell.
She knew she loved him. She'd loved him for a while, but did she want to keep this relationship at the stage it currently was?
Did she want him to ask her to remain his wife? Was it too crazy? Too absurd?
Deep down, her wish was one. She wanted him. But she was scared.
He took a step closer, his eyes locked on hers, the flicker of candlelight making them look impossibly warm.
“I know this is probably the worst setup in history for something like this,” he started, his tone growing lighter, “but I’m trying here, okay?
This whole thing has been backwards from the start.
We got married for all the wrong reasons, but somewhere along the way… it started to feel like the right one.”
Her breath caught, her fingers tightening on the papers.
“I don’t want this to end, Evie,” he continued, his voice steady now, filled with emotion. “Not the marriage, not us. So, no, I’m not proposing—I guess technically, I don’t need to do that.”
He paused, a small, nervous laugh escaping him before he reached out and gently took the papers from her hands, setting them aside on the table.
“What I’m asking,” he said, his voice dropping lower, “is for you to stay my wife. Not because of a contract or because it’s convenient, but because I love you. And I can’t imagine my life without you in it. Not anymore.”
Evie stared at him, her eyes wide, her heart thundering in her chest. The city lights sparkled behind him, the candles flickering around them, but all she could see was him—James, standing there, vulnerable and real.
“You… you really want this?” she whispered, her voice trembling.
“I do,” he said, stepping closer, his hand brushing her cheek. “And if you’ll let me, I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it to you.”
Her lips parted, a laugh bubbling up before she could stop it, half in disbelief and half in joy. “James… this is the most ridiculous proposal I’ve ever heard.”
He grinned, his thumb brushing over her cheek as he tilted her chin up to meet his eyes.
“It’s not a proposal. It’s a plea,” he said softly. “So, what do you say?”
Evie’s heart swelled as she leaned into him, her arms wrapping around his neck. “I say… you should’ve skipped the divorce papers and just handed me a wine glass,” she teased, her voice thick with emotion.
James laughed, his forehead resting against hers. “Noted. For next time.”
And then, without another word, he kissed her, sealing the promise with a tenderness that left no room for doubt.
The end…