"And I appreciate the option," Aidan told her, squeezing her hand. "But see, I've already told my mom all about you, and I'm pretty sure she'll actually come up here and strangle me herself if I let you go." He smiled to let her know that he was mostly joking.
"And Red, that's the thing," he continued. "I don't want to leave. I love you, which might have scared 25-year-old me." He smiled as she kissed his hand. "And I would be honored if you married me. But it's your choice, in the end."