She chuckled, realizing he had been overthinking even more than she had.

"Okay, got it. I promise I won't go back on my word about marrying you, and I won't give up on you either!" she declared. "Ever!"

He was taken aback. The nervousness in his eyes turned to shock, then softened into a gentle warmth. "Ever? Do you really mean it?"

"Why not?" She met his gaze. "Lucas, do you know how much I like you, how much I love you? You're afraid, but I'm anxious too. In the past, I was worried that yo