The rain fell in soft silver threads against the cabin windows, but inside everything glowed with warmth. Bella pulled the quilt tighter around her shoulders, her eyes drawn to the firelight where Jasper sat across from her. He wasn’t looking at the storm—he was looking at her, as if she were the only thing worth watching.

For a long moment neither of them spoke, the silence filled with the sound of rain, the crackle of flames, and the steady rhythm of her heartbeat. When Jasper finally did move, it wasn’t toward the window or the fire, but toward her. The storm outside raged on, but inside, Bella realized she wasn’t afraid of saying yes anymore.