When we hit the produce section I stopped. “Do you hear that?”
He came to a halt. “Hear what?”
“The music. Do they normally play music?” I didn’t remember that being a thing.
A devilish grin appeared on his angelic kiss-me face. “I’ve never noticed.”
I listened harder. “Is that “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You?” It was my favorite Bryan Adams’ song ever from one of my favorite movies, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Reed looked up to the ceiling like that would help him hear better. “What are the odds that they’re playing your favorite song?”
That was odd. “We need to watch the movie again.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’ve seen that movie more than I ever wanted to and discussed Kevin Costner’s butt more than any man should.”
“We don’t know if that was his butt.” That was the great debate back in the nineties. Did Kevin Costner use a body double, or was it him?
“We could google it,” Reed suggested.
“No.”
He laughed at me. “I know, it would ruin the movie for you if you found out he used a double.”
“It really would.”
“Can we move on now, honey, or talk about my butt instead? Or better yet, yours?” He gave my backside a glance. “It looks good tonight, by the way.”
I smacked his arm. “Let’s go get whatever it is that’s so important to you to make us miss our dinner cruise.”
“This is important to you, too.” He practically pulled my arm off, dragging me across the store.
“If you say so.”
“I do.”
Before I knew it, we were standing in front of the card aisle. “Did I miss someone’s birthday? I thought you said your mom’s was next month.”
“You didn’t miss anyone’s birthday.” His eyes were dancing.
“Sooo . . . what are we doing?”
“You forgot something.”
I tilted my head. “I did?”
“Right there.” He pointed to a hot pink envelope with my name on it, smack dab in the middle of the card section.
“What are you up to you?” I yanked on his tie, pulling him in for a kiss.
“Hopefully more of that. Go get your card.”
He didn’t need to tell me twice. This time I pulled him along. I only let go of his hand to pluck my card out. I carefully opened it and pulled out the sparkly card.
The outside read, If I Haven’t Told You Lately . . . I opened it up, smiling to myself. The inside was also filled with sparkly gold letters that read, I Love You. As much as I loved when he said those three huge words—and loved saying them in return, because I loved him with a love that I didn’t know was possible—I was anxious to see what he had to say. In Reed fashion, there was his numbered list of ten.
1. Everything
2. I
3. Do
4. I
5. Do
6. It
7. For
8. You
9. I love you.
10. Look down.
I dropped the card and looked down to see Reed on one knee, ring box in hand. My hand covered my mouth. Happy tears popped up in my eyes.
“Samantha Decker, I love you and Cody. I want to be wherever you both are, whether it’s on the sidelines or on the field. You just tell me, and I’ll follow you wherever you want to go.” He opened the small black velvet box to reveal a stunning, round-cut diamond solitaire ring. “Marry me?”
Happiness filled me to the point I couldn’t speak. I nodded and nodded some more. “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
He slid the ring on my finger before standing and wrapping me up in his arms. “You just made me the happiest man in this grocery store.”
I laughed into his chest. “I love you.”
He pressed a kiss to the side of my head. “I love you more.”
I believed him.
~*~
I know you’ve been eagerly awaiting my list of “must haves” for my next husband. Well, I finally know exactly what I want. Here’s my list in no particular order:
1. Spine-tingling kisses. (Okay, this is pretty top of the list for me.)
2. Knows how to put the toilet seat down and does. Every time.
3. Younger than me.
4. He must love my son like his own. No exceptions.
5. He absolutely must love Autumn Moone books and be willing to read them to me out loud.
6. Sense of humor is a necessity. He’ll need it to survive my family.
7. An outdoor enthusiast is a plus, especially if he loves long bike rides.
8. His thighs must be bigger than mine. I can’t handle that kind of pressure.
9. He must sign all my legal documentation, see much earlier post about NDAs.
10. Last, but certainly not least, he must love me. And not just any kind of love. But the kind of love that needs no words. The kind that comes from acting.
I should probably mention I’ve been lucky to find a man that meets all the requirements and more. You might be asking yourself, “Is she getting back into the game?” The answer is, no. I found a man that loves the sidelines. So I’ll still be the Sidelined Wife, but I’ll be more than a wife. I’ll be a partner. If you have the chance to find one, hold on tight. Life is better on the sidelines with someone who’s willing to walk beside you every step of the way.
Yours Truly,
The Sidelined Wife in Chief
P.S. Look for my new cookbook, Glorified Cookie Recipes and More, in a store near you or online.
Sneak Peek
The Secretive Wife—More Than a Wife Series: Book Two
I have big news for you.
You’re pregnant?
I sighed, holding back the tears. That put a damper on the actual surprise. I wouldn’t tell you that in a text.
My phone immediately rang.
“I’m sorry. I know that. What’s your news?”
“Now I feel like I’m going to disappoint you.”
“I’m sorry, Delanie. Tell me, please?”
I stared at my large monitor. That monitor and I spent a lot of time together. Sometimes it was my only connection to the outside world when I was under a deadline. We had a love-hate relationship for that reason. But there on the large screen, my name—or should I say, my other name—and latest book cover sat near the number one spot on the New York Times Best Seller list in the eBook and paperback category. It wasn’t the first time, but it never got old seeing my baby there.
“Black Day Dawning hit number one.” I couldn’t say it without smiling.
“I’m so proud of you, Autumn Moone.” Only he could call me that.
I tensed. “I hope you’re not around anyone.”
“I’m in the truck all by myself.”
“You could come home for lunch.” Our private lunch hours were my favorite.
He groaned. “I want to more than anything, but we have to finish up the Finley job before tomorrow. They’re having a huge summer bash this weekend. But how about I take you to dinner tonight to celebrate?”
“I’d like that.”
“Think of where you want to go, and I’ll be home as soon as I can.”
“Hurry.”
“Delanie?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry about earlier. You know I love you more than anything, and whether we have a baby or not isn’t going to change that.”
I sighed. “I know.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
I leaned back in my office chair and stretched my neck. I loved this space, and the man that built it for me. My secret hiding place. When we had the house built, Peter insisted that he finish the attic for me. There was no one more thoughtful than him. I only had to look at every aspect of my office, from the countertops that lined one side of the room, lending me a huge desk. I loved that I could spread out on it when I researched each project and book. The built-in shelves were filled with not only the books I’d writt
en, but the books I loved, like To Kill a Mockingbird, or Jane Eyre. The most thoughtful items were all the framed posters of each one of my books that hit the New York Times Best Seller list. He would get an actual copy of the paper, blow it up, and frame it. There were five on the wall now. Soon, I knew there would be six.
I swiveled in my chair, stopping to run my fingers across my old, red manual typewriter. I thought my parents were so weird when they gave that to me for my tenth birthday. My parents were weird, or at least different than most. When Cat and Ron—my parents, who insisted on being called by their first names (long story)—presented me with the typewriter instead of the computer I asked for, they changed my life, though I thought they had ruined it. I wrote my first novel with it when I was twelve. If I Lived on the Moon. It inspired my pen name and the moon tattoo hidden where only Peter could see it.
I also wrote the book that launched my career on the old thing. I missed the sound of the keys and the typebars making contact with the ribbon and paper. I never intended to write romance, but I found I had a penchant for it. I blamed it on the built up sexual tension from being in love with a man I thought could never be mine. A priest.
I never wanted anything or anyone more in my life. Hunter Black came to life because of it all. Every one of Peter’s qualities were poured into him. Laine, his true love that he could never have, was me. I cried into the typewriter many a night, trying to purge myself of Peter. It didn’t work; if anything, I wanted him more.
I was supposed to be writing gritty, raw, real-life pieces that changed lives. Instead, I was fueling fantasies, mine the most. Now that I was living out my fantasy with my priest, it didn’t make me feel so guilty.
. . . That wasn’t as awful as it sounded.
About the Author
Jennifer Peel is the award-winning, bestselling author of the Dating by Design and Women of Merryton series, as well as several other contemporary romances. Though she lives and breathes writing, her first love is her family. She is the mother of three amazing kiddos and has recently added the title of mother-in-law, with the addition of two terrific sons-in-law. She’s been married to her best friend and partner in crime for a lot longer than seems possible. Some of her favorite things are late-night talks, beach vacations, the mountains, pink bubble gum ice cream, tours of model homes, and Southern living. She can frequently be found with her laptop on, fingers typing away, indulging in chocolate milk, and writing out the stories that are constantly swirling through her head.
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You can also connect with Jennifer on social media:
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Books by Jennifer Peel:
Other Side of the Wall
The Girl in Seat 24B
Professional Boundaries
House Divided
Trouble in Loveland
More Trouble in Loveland
How to Get Over Your Ex in Ninety Days
Paige’s Turn
Hit and Run Love
Sweet Regrets
Honeymoon for One in Christmas Falls
The Women of Merryton Series:
Boxed Set (Books One, Two, and Three)
Jessie Belle – Book One
Taylor Lynne – Book Two
Rachel Laine – Book Three
Cheyenne – Book Four
The Dating by Design Series:
His Personal Relationship Manager – Book One
Statistically Improbable – Book Two
Narcissistic Tendencies – Book Three . . . Coming Soon
The Pianos and Promises Series:
Boxed Set (Books One, Two, and Three)
Christopher and Jaime – Book One
Beck and Call – Book Two
Cole and Jillian – Book Three
The More Than a Wife Series:
The Sidelined Wife- Book One
The Secretive Wife- Book Two . . . Coming Soon
The Dear Wife – Book Three . . . Coming Soon
To learn more about Jennifer and her books, visit her website at www.jenniferpeel.com.
The Sidelined Wife (More Than a Wife Series Book 1) Page 29