He nodded. “It is. And I’m so thankful that you’re safe. But everything we experienced together has changed me—all in a good way. Before we reconnected, I was in such a dark place. I was completely numb and distant from God. I was just going through the motions in life but not really living it. The time we’ve spent together these past few months has been life changing. I never thought years ago that I could love you any more than I did then, but I was wrong about that. I love you even more now.”

She looked into his blue eyes. “I love you, too, Hunter.”

He smiled. “I know. I’ve never felt more loved. And our time together has taught me something else.”

“What’s that?” she asked.

“That life can literally change in a moment. I really do believe that God gave us a second chance. Not everyone gets another chance at love with the person who means the most to them in the world.”

She moved closer to him. “This time nothing is going to tear us apart. Not the Agency, not anything. You have my word on that.”

“Mine too, and I want to take it a step further.” He took a breath. “I know we’ve only been in this new relationship a few months, but we had three years to build on. Three great years, if you cut out that last part.”

“We agreed not to go back to that.” She had put all of that squarely behind them.

He nodded. “This is a long and not very eloquent way of saying that, Layla, I don’t want to waste another moment. We got derailed before, and I don’t want that to happen again.”

“Me neither.”

“I was hoping you would say that.” He dropped to one knee as he pulled a ring box out of his jacket pocket.

Her breath caught as she realized what he was about to do.

“We can have as long an engagement as you want, but I hope and pray that you’ll want to be my wife. Layla, I love you with all my heart and soul. You’re the light and goodness in my life. Your love has literally changed me, and your grace and forgiveness has shown me what real, true love is like. Layla, I love you. Will you marry me?”

She looked down at him holding the open ring box, displaying a princess-cut diamond ring. “What if I don’t want to have a long engagement?”

He grinned. “Is that a yes?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

He slid the ring on her finger, and it fit perfectly. Just like the two of them.

She pulled him up from his knee and gave him a kiss. “I love you so much, Hunter.”

He kissed her again, and she heard the cheering.