The morning sun seeped through the curtains, casting soft light over tangled sheets and sleepy limbs. Her head rested on Johnny’s chest, his heartbeat slow and steady beneath her ear. His fingers traced lazy circles on her back, neither of them in any rush to move.

“You awake?” he murmured, voice rough from sleep.

“Mm, barely,” she mumbled, eyes closed, lips curling into a soft smile.

“Good,” he muttered, his grin lazy but warm. “Makes it easier to say somethin’ stupid.”

She tilted her head up, eyes squinting at him with mock suspicion. “Johnny…”

His grin softened. “You’re not like anyone I’ve been with, you know that?” His eyes met hers, steady, serious in a way he rarely was. “It’s not just fun with you. It’s… more. And I’m done actin’ like I don’t know it.” He took a breath, heart thudding harder under her cheek. “Marry me.”

Her eyes widened, breath catching in her chest. “What?”

“You heard me,” he said, lips quirking into that wild, crooked grin. “Marry me, darlin’. Nothin’ out there’s better than this.”

She stared at him for a second, heart pounding, before a breathless laugh escaped her.

“Yeah,” she said, leaning up to kiss him, grinning against his lips. “Yeah, I’ll marry you.”

His arms tightened around her, pulling her close like he’d never let her go. And maybe, finally, he wouldn’t have to.