Read Next to Forever (Never Letting Go) for Free Online Page B

feel better but it’s not working. I need to do this, just need to spill it out.
    “We’re pregnant.” I can’t look at him and I start crying again. “I’m sorry, so sorry.” I’m waiting for him to freak out on me and tell me that I’m a horrible person, but I feel his hands on my hips, twisting me so I’m facing him. He places his finger under my chin and lifts my face up so that we’re looking at each other.
    “Really?” His eyes are wide and he’s smiling. What the hell? Why’s he smiling?
    “Yeah, I found out before coming over here. I’m late, and I’ve been feeling sick. I’m sorry that this is happening. I don’t want you to be mad.”
    Connor lifts me from the chair and lifts me up. He’s laughing and spinning me around. Holy shit. Where the fuck’s my boyfriend?
    “Close your eyes.”
    “Babe?”
    He takes my hand, and I hear the door slide open. I feel him shaking and am wondering what’s going on.
    “Open your eyes.”
    Slowly my eyes open and I gasp. There are candles all over, I see Connor’s parents standing in the corner, and she’s smiling. Sophia and Adam emerge, and they are holding hands. I look at everyone, and I can’t help but start crying again. Oh my God.
    He gets down on one knee and looks up at me. “I love you , Erin. You’re my world, and my life is better with you in it. I know that we’ve only been together for six months, but these past six months have been the best. You challenge me and make me a better person. I’m happy that we’re pregnant because when I think about my future, I think about you and having a family. I think about you carrying our child and seeing you glow and our baby getting bigger.” He stops talking and closes his eyes. When he reaches into his jacket, I gasp. Oh. No.
    “Erin,” he takes my hand and smiles. “Will you marry me?”
    Oh. My. God! What the hell is going on? Am I being punked? He's asking me to marry him, and I don’t know what to say but I’m upset. The first thing that comes to my mind is that he feels obligated to do this. Little shit!
    “Are you asking me to marry you because I’m pregnant? Connor , that’s so messed up!” I throw my arms in the air, and I can’t believe what he’s doing. “I mean, you don’t have to feel obligated or anything. God, Connor you’re such a jerk!”
    Connor stands up and cocks his head to the left while tapping his bottom lip with his right hand. “I bought the ring last month , so unless I’m a fortune teller, I’m not sure why you’re so mad.” He walks over to me and is still smiling. “I love you, Erin. You know this. So, I’m going to ask you again.” He opens the box holding a three stone engagement ring, shining brightly at me.
    “Will you marry me?”
    My face burns with embarrassment. I stare at him and study his eyes. He’s serious. Everyone is waiting for my answer, and Sophia’s laughing. I look over and see smiles and tears. He’s asking me for real and not because I’m pregnant. The proposal isn’t because he feels like he has to marry me. He’s doing this because he wants to—Connor really wants to marry me.
    I close my eyes and remember the day we bought our house.
    “Connor, this is the house!” I walked around and skipped through the long hallway upstairs. The master bedroom had a large walk-in closet and a full bathroom, which was huge. We had a balcony where Connor and I could sit and watch the sunrise and sun set. I loved the view. It overlooked the backyard, and we had an in ground pool. There were three other bedrooms that were fairly large. I ran downstairs and walked through the living room and kitchen. This house felt like home. I walked through the kitchen and felt the marble countertops and stovetop. Everything in the kitchen was renovated and had all new appliances. Connor stood at the island with a smile on his face. I jumped in his arms and giggled in his ear.
    “Looks like this is going to be our house.”
    “And we’re in