And, damn, do I mean that.

He's bought me a business and helped me build it from the ground up, all while making sure I can frequently see my family and friends, constantly paying for our trips, and never once complaining about it.

I've known only love from Reid, and each day is better than the last.

Reid leans forward, his brow furrowing. "I haven't." He shakes his head, his gaze deepening. "I want to spend every damn day with you. Forever. Until I die, and I'm rotting six feet under. Even then, I want our bodies to be buried together so we can haunt each other for eternity."

My breath hitches, and I freeze, my glass mid-way to my lips as I watch him reach into his pocket and produce a small box. The world is still around us; every sound in my ears is now a woosh, and I no longer hear the soft music playing over the speakers.

Reid opens the box, revealing a simple yet stunning ring. The band is gold, and diamonds dot it, with a black gem in the center. I gasp, damn near dropping my glass of wine on the ground as I shakily set it aside, gawking at the ring, then at him, his eyes locked onto mine, steady and unwavering, a grin tugging at his lips.

"Are you..." I wet my dry lips, swallowing the tightness in my throat. "Are you fucking with me?"

He lets out a laugh, shaking his head. "Will you do me the honor of being my wife?" He asks, his voice deep and eyes locked on mine.

I don't say a word. Instead, I leap from my seat and stumble around the table, throwing myself into his arms and crashing my lips against his. Reid pulls me into his lap, gripping my hip tightly with an arm around my waist while the ring sits in the other.

He pulls away, grinning up at me. "Is that a yes?"

"Are you kidding? Of course!" He laughs and kisses me again before I pull away, glancing down at the ring. "It's...stunning, babe."

"I had it specially made just for you." He adjusts me on his lap, freeing his hands to gently slide the ring onto my trembling finger.

"Looks even better than I imagined," he said softly, tracing the delicate band with his thumb.

I swallow, my heart racing, as I look up at him. "Did you... Did you ask my dad for permission?"

He gives me a look that suggests I have two heads. "Of course I did, Andie. That's why I went on that work trip to New York—I flew to your dad's and talked to him in person. He was more than accepting." His voice grows somber as he brushes his finger along my jaw. "He said he wished your mom were here to see the day you got married."

Tears brim my eyes, and I nod quickly, a bittersweet laugh escaping my lips. "Me too," I say softly. Reid kisses my cheek where a tear has tailed down. "Is that why Tori called me?" I ask, refusing to let grief ruin this moment.

I can't change the past; I only hope to build a future she'd be proud of.

Reid chuckled. "Probably. She helped me plan most of this. She was so excited." He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, his eyes searching my face with tenderness. "Looks like I'm going to be a part of the family again, this time the right way."

I bark a laugh. "From brother to husband. How fucked up does that sound?"

Reid also laughs, throwing his head back and shaking his head slightly.

I get to hear that laughter for the rest of my life? I get this beautiful man with his muscles, dark hair, and chiseled jaw forever?

I feel like I'm dreaming.

He lifts his eyes, leveling me with a heated stare that leaves my skin burning hot. "You'll always be my sister, dimples."

"You're disgusting," I tease, attempting to rise from his embrace, but he tightens his hold, trapping me in his arms.

"Not into it anymore, huh?" He smirks.

"Never was," I reply, but the heat between my thighs betrays my words.

"Come on, don't play innocent. You enjoyed every second of it." His breath fans my neck as he whispers, "Admit it, you loved fucking your stepbrother." His lips find mine, and he kisses me deeply before pulling away slightly. His lips brush mine as he speaks, "Now, we'll just have to pretend, my soon-to-be-wife."

"Wife," I whisper, loving how the word sounds coming from his tongue. "I love the sound of that."

Reid hands me my wine, his fingers brushing against mine, as he says with his glass lifted, "Well, you'll be hearing it for the rest of our lives. To forever," he says, and I clink my glass against his in cheers.

"To forever." I take a sip, and suddenly, the reality of our future together hits me—I get to spend an entire lifetime with Reid, my step-brother-turned-fiance.

Somehow, forever doesn't seem long enough.