by Adriana Peck
I can’t believe how far we’ve come.
We parked a little ways away, Nora’s is always packed on Christmas and the lot was full up by the time we both got here. The snow falls gently around us, and I wrap an arm around Nancy’s shoulders for warmth. I squeeze her shoulder tight, my arm quickly slinking down to smack her behind.
She grins up at me slyly.
“What?” I grin, playing along. “We’re headed back to the truck anyways. Nobody saw that.”
“Just when everybody stopped talking about us,” Nancy winks. “And on Christmas, too. Shame on you, Jake.”
We both laugh as my arm wraps around Nancy’s shoulder again. We reach my truck parked parallel to the street just a block away from the café. I open the door for Nancy and I get in a moment after her, starting my engine as quick as I can to get the heat running.
“So,” Nancy says, checking her clock. “It’s just past noon. Should we go back to your parent’s house?”
We’d spent Christmas Eve with my parents and Chance, and things couldn’t have gone smoother. Chance and I are finally getting along again, and I know coming clean with the rest of the town helped move that along. And yeah, my parents were heartbroken when they learned the news that Nancy and I were never really engaged to begin with; that said, Mom and Dad were more than eager to accept Nancy into their home when I told them we were seeing each other for real. Chance and I were like kids again this morning, our family finally got to feel a semblance of wholeness that’s been gone ever since Jay left. And I miss my oldest brother, of course, but all I can do is wish him well. Hope the best for him.
As for right now, I’ve got my plate full. And nothing’s made me happier.
I shrug my shoulders at Nancy’s request, something else on my mind.
“Maybe we could head back to our place? Have a little Christmas of our own?”
Nancy grins. “I never got to give you your last present.”
I pause. “Me neither,” I smile back.
I can feel my breast jacket pocket weighing me down, the box is still in there. Small enough to hide from Nancy, big enough to make it the most important gift in the world.
I bought this after our first date. I always figured Nancy and I would end up here, and after we made things official I knew she was going to be the one for me.
It was always her.
And I’m just glad it’s for real this time.
I don’t think I’ll be able to wait another second longer. Sure, it’ll be in my truck, but sometimes the best memories are the ones that take you by surprise.
“I want to give you your present now,” I say.
Nancy leans over, kisses me. “Mine’s back home, that’s not fair. So you brought it with you, then?”
I nod. “Always did. Ever since I bought it.”
Nancy smiles her perfect smile, her emerald eyes shine like diamonds.
I reach into my pocket, pull out the box.
Nancy gasps, but I see a hint of a smile flash across her face before her hands cup over her mouth in surprise.
“Nancy Callahan,” I say, holding the box closed in my hand. “I don’t think I could ever prepare a speech worthy of this occasion. So I just have one question for you.”
I open the box, the ring glistening as the snow falls gently outside my truck.
“Nancy, will you marry—”
“Of course!”
She flings herself at me, her arms wrapping tightly around my shoulders as she pulls me in for a kiss. I return the favor, my arms reaching around her as we embrace in the front seat of my truck.
I don’t think I could ever be happier than I am right here. Right now.
Nancy pulls back, her eyes red with tears as she smiles at me. I take the ring out of the box, slip it onto her finger with gentle guidance. It’s stunning. I saved up my paychecks from the café after bills for that diamond rock, and it’s worth every penny. Nancy admires the ring as I put the truck in drive.
“So, back home?” I ask.
She nods. “Let’s go home. Together.”
I check my mirrors, pulling out onto the road and cruising down Main Street as we head back home to our life together.
She’s my perfect constellation, my starry sky.
And a life without her in it for real isn’t a life worth living.
At least, not to me.
THE END.
Books By This Author
Breaker's Bargain: A Small-Town Bad Boy Standalone
I'm his auctioned-off date for a charity fundraiser. But he's the last guy on Earth I'd ever want to spend an evening with...
Ryan Jaeger. He's the hothead around town, known for cat-calling and leering at any girl unlucky enough to pass him by. And the last guy I'd ever expect to see at a charity auction for the local hospital.
But there he is. He's been staking out the auction I'm participating in, preparing to bid on a date for the evening.
And I'm his only choice.
He outbids everyone else by a hundred, five hundred, a thousand dollars. Just to spend a few hours on a date with me while the fundraiser continues.
My heart is racing. But when Ryan greets me, the bad boy facade fades as I'm instantly pulled to him. His charm, his smile, those rugged muscles, hidden under that leather jacket of his. Those stunning baby blue eyes. I can't stop staring at him, and I know he's been checking me out, too.
When he offers me his arm, I'm surprised...but a little excited as well. Ryan's promised a date and a night to remember, and I'm nervous to see what the bad boy has planned. I accept his invitation for a simple walkaround town, eager to see what's in store for me.
I guess I'm along for the ride.
And to the highest bidder go the spoils.
"Breaker's Bargain" is a STEAMY 78k standalone with tons of angst, small-town charm, and enough romance to keep you reading until the very last page! No abuse, no cheating, and a HEA with no cliffhanger.
Chaser's Catch: A Billionaire's Secret Baby Standalone
My life came to a screeching halt in that Moroccan bathroom.
Two pink lines. And this test doesn’t lie.
I’m pregnant, and I know just the man responsible: Alistair Jensen, the billionaire playboy CEO who’s always on the move. I couldn’t resist him back when we first met in Paris. Those dark hazelnut eyes, that powerful stare, that cheeky smirk of his in the soft light of the evening.
Irresistible.
Even if I was technically at work, I knew I had to have him.
And it looks like our one night in Paris came with a stipulation in its contract.
I’m nervous. Terrified. I don’t even know where to begin.
I have no clue where I can find Alistair. He could be anywhere in the world, and I don’t know if I’m even on his mind anymore.
But I have to find him. Before this pregnancy becomes the center of my life, before my supervisor overseas pulls me back home.
Before I lose Alistair forever.
And before it’s too late.
Chaser’s Catch is a 70k-length standalone with no abuse, no cheating, and a guaranteed Happily Ever After! Contains some intense action, with enough cheeky banter and sweet down-to-earth romance that'll keep you reading until the very last page!
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