Taylor

After Eric had been taken into custody, he'd been given a psychiatric evaluation. It didn't take a lot to see that he wasn't mentally stable and after a while they'd figured out that his mental problems had been the reason why he'd become so fixated on me. Instead of going to jail he'd been sent to a psychiatric ward.

During the trial years ago, the stress of his uncle's part in the murder of my parents had taken its toll on his family and his once stable childhood had disintegrated. It had impacted him severely and his fixation with me had begun.

I didn't know why it had been me. Maybe it was because I'd survived the event that had torn both of our lives apart.

I wanted to be able to forgive him, but I just couldn't. I knew in some way it hadn't been his fault. At eleven, he hadn't been able to handle things, but that didn't diminish the horrific things he'd done to me. There was a chance I would never be able to forgive him.

"You sure you're okay to go out? If you'd rather stay at home, I'll cancel our plans tonight," Sin offered, looking down at me with concern.

"I'm fine," I told him as I pulled away from him and took hold of his hand. The elevator doors opened and we got on.

I'd been looking forward to seeing our friends for a while, so I didn't want to cancel the evening. There would still be moments that were hard to manage my fears, but I tried to push through those times. I would get past it eventually; it would just take a little time.

By the time we got to the bar, our friends were waiting at the table. Slater and Jordan were sitting on opposite sides of the table. They could barely look at each other.

They'd made up and broken up a couple of times and they were on the outs again. I really wished they could work through their problems because they really suited each other.

Matthew was sitting beside Jordan. It was so good to see him. He was so busy with his new job that I didn't get to see him as often as I wanted.

Jordan's face lit up as she spotted us walk through the front door. I smiled at her and Slater as we walked up to them.

"You made it," Jordan said as she stood up and gave me a hug.

Sin greeted Slater and Matthew. Jordan released me and I hugged Slater.

"Good to see you," he murmured as he hugged me back. I pulled away and turned to Matthew.

"I'm so glad you made it," I said as he smiled and hugged me.

"I'm sorry I've been so busy with work. It's been hard to get time away," he said as he released me.

He didn't really talk about his new job, so we didn't ask questions. All I knew was that it was a girl. I couldn't help but wonder if he was getting attached to her because he always seemed to be on edge when he wasn't working. I wanted to ask him about it, but I'd decided I'd wait until he brought it up.

"I'm going to get you a drink," Sin said as he and Slater walked to the bar. I sat down opposite Jordan and Matthew.

"How is Connor?" Matthew asked as he folded his arms.

"He's good. He's always busy with work and stuff. I kinda wish he'd meet someone," I said, wishing my brother could experience the same happiness I had with Sin.

"He'll find the right girl one day," Jordan piped in.

"Maybe," I murmured. I think he'd already met the right girl, but things hadn't worked out. I shrugged it off.

Connor had started to ease up on controlling all aspects of my life. He still phoned regularly but not to the extent that he used to. He was learning to let go and I appreciated it because it allowed me to live my own life.

Sin and Slater returned from the bar and Sin put a drink down in front of me as he sat down beside me.

"I have a surprise for you," Sin said, whispering into my ear.

"What?" I asked, looking at him.

"Your surprise just walked into the bar," he said and I turned to see Connor walking toward us. I hadn't expected to see him. I got up and hugged him just as he reached our table.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, still feeling a little stunned that I had no idea my brother was coming to visit.

"You will have to ask your guy that question," he said as he shook hands with Sin. They shared a knowing look and I was still confused.

Connor sat down in the chair as he watched me turn to Sin for an answer. He stood in front of me and took my hands in his. Suddenly he looked so nervous.

"I have no idea if I'm doing this right or not," he said as his eyes held mine.

I wanted to ask what was going on, but I kept quiet, giving Sin a chance to explain.

"From the moment I met you, I knew you were going to change my life. I just had no idea how much," he said and swallowed nervously. His eyes dropped to my hands being held in his.

"From the word go, I cared for you, but up until now I haven't been able to say the words to express just how much you mean to me," he said and I shook my head at him.

"I don't need you to say the words. You make me feel loved," I reassured him, not wanting him to be forced to do something he wasn't ready to do. Even if he never said those words to me, it wouldn't diminish what we had.

He let out a breath and lifted his eyes to mine.

"I love you," he said and I felt stunned. The happy faces of my friends and family faded into the background and only he existed at that moment. I felt a well of emotion that he'd finally been able to say it.

"I love you," I said back hoarsely, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing my lips to his.

He kissed me back and then pulled away.

"There's more," he said, looking as happy as I felt, but he still seemed nervous.

I swallowed my emotions as I waited for him to continue. I had no idea what he still wanted to say. He turned to look at our friends, who were all smiling at us, before he turned to face me.

"I wanted to make sure our friends shared in the moment," he said cryptically as he gave me a smile and my eyes questioned his.

"Realizing just how much you mean to me made the next step so much simpler," he explained as he reached into the front pocket of his jeans and pulled out what looked like a small box. It still didn't register.

He opened the box and I was staring at a beautiful oval diamond ring. I gulped as it began to understand.

"I know exactly how I feel about you and I know you are it for me," he explained as my eyes began to water. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes," I answered as I looked at him.

His smile widened and he took the ring. He reached for my hand and slid the ring on my finger. It fit perfectly, just like us.

"I love you," I murmured as he hugged me and I heard him say, "I love you too."

I felt like I was in a dream as our friends and my brother congratulated us. Sin couldn't wipe the silly smile that was plastered to his face and I felt like I was on cloud nine. I still couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that we were engaged.

Believing in happily ever after was for kids. We knew there would be challenges along the way and we wanted to get through them together. There was no one I would rather have at my side through the rest of my life.

I glanced at Sin. He felt my eyes on him and he looked at me.

Loving someone meant loving them—flaws and all, the good with the bad.

"I love you," he whispered to me again as he leaned closer and pressed a kiss to my lips.

I would never tire of hearing him say those words to me.

"I love you too."

**********

Read the sequel Loving Sin on my profile.