He plucks the ring from the box and it falters in his hold. A breath hitches in my throat as he fumbles with it. James steadies himself and I fight the grin tickling my lips.

"Goddamn nerves."

This time I let the laugh out. James follows suit and chuckles under his breath. I could tell he was nervous, but I wasn't going to state the obvious.

He takes my left hand in his, and just as he’s about to slide the delicate ring over my finger, I pull my hand away.

"Wait!"

James snaps his gaze up to mine and pales. His skin almost matches the gray hair on his head. I realize my timing is pure stupidity on my part and I need to make this quick. He's probably thinking the worst right now. I know I would be.

"You have to promise to never divorce me. Under no circumstances are you allowed to even utter those words, James Riviera. And don't even think you can use your special lawyer skills and say it in ten different ways, because it won't work on me." Emotion fills my throat. My heart flutters. "Don't make me tell you I told you so." I allow the panic in my voice to be present. This is real. "I'm not playing. Can we include it as a clause in our vows or something when we get married?"

James shakes his head then drops his attention back to my hand and the ring he's holding. Not letting another second pass him by, he pushes the ring forward and slides the stone where it belongs. The thing is larger than my knuckle.

A little sob escapes me. I can't believe I'm going to marry the love of my life.

I look at our hands. James is looking too. Between my milky, youthful fingers, and his olive-toned aging ones, we're perfectly matched in every way. I belong to him, and he belongs to me. He raises the top of my hand to his lips and presses a gentle kiss. James stands, looking into my eyes, my left hand still in his.

"The only reason I would ever divorce you is if that ring ever comes off your finger."

I can't stop the blush that sweeps over my cheeks.

"Then I guess we have a deal."

A massive smile lights up my face. Excitement I didn't even know is possible to experience explodes like fireworks inside of me.

James isn't smiling like me. He's reflective, like there's a sense of peace finally settling inside of him.

"You know, that ring is basically a contract between us," James says matter-of-factly.

My cheeks are burning. He finally throws me a beaming smile, and it's a good one. James likes contracts. Once they’re signed, there's very little that can be done to reverse them.

"Can I just start calling you hubby now?"

His mouth flickers with laughter. "Two months ago, you rejected the idea. Now you want to start calling me husband early?"