by Kelly Moore
She yanks it out and looks at the number. “I’m sorry. I have to take this.”
“We agreed no work while we’re here.”
“I know, but it’s a really big contract, and I don’t want anyone to mess it up.” She gets up from the table.
I take the small square box out of my pocket and pop open the lid. It’s a square one-carat diamond that has hints of blue in it. It reminded me of the light blue-colored shirt Reese was wearing the first time I laid eyes on her. When I saw the ring sparkling in the jewelry store window, I knew I had to have it. We haven’t talked about getting married, but I want nothing more than for her to be my wife.
I see her storming back toward the table, her hair bouncing as she takes each step. Stuffing the box back in my pocket, I stand. “Everything okay?”
“Not at all. The band backed out of the contract.” She sits in a huff.
“I thought it was just a matter of them signing.
“It was, but Beastly Music swooped in and offered them more money before they gave me a chance to make a counteroffer.”
“I’m sorry, babe.” I reach over and hold her hand.
“If I’d have been in town, this never would’ve happened.”
I lean back in my chair and take a sip of whiskey.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. I’m happy we’re here. It’s just hard to separate from work sometimes. And, I hate when another company steals my clients.”
The time for proposing will have to wait. While we eat, she chatters on and on about the contract. I try to distract her by talking about Gypsy, but she goes right back to talking shop. I don’t want to cut her off. I know how important her job is to her.
We finish up and head back to the resort’s outside bar where people are dancing, laughing, and having fun. We sit at the bar top and order another round of drinks. The weight of the little black box in my pocket is starting to make me anxious. I wanted the perfect time to ask her, but her phone call ruined my plans.
I stand, holding out my hand. “Come dance with me.”
She smiles, taking my hand. I lead her directly in front of the instrumental band playing a slow song.
“This is better,” I say with my cheek against hers and one hand on the lower part of her back.
“I’m sorry I ruined our dinner. I promise no more talk about work.”
“Good, because I want to enjoy the rest of the evening with you.”
Her phone rings again, and she digs it out of her purse.
“I…” she holds it up.
“Give me your phone,” I growl before she can say anything else.
“But I really…”
“Now.” I hold my hand out. She reluctantly gives it to me, and I stop the ringing, then I lob it out into the beach sand.
“Hey! My phone!” she yells. Taking off her shoes, she runs out after it.
I catch her by the arm and spin her around. “For the love of god, Reese. I’ve been trying to ask you something all night, and that damn phone keeps interrupting.
Her gaze narrows on mine. “What is it you want to ask me?”
I run my hand through my neatly groomed hair. “I wanted the perfect moment to do this, but I guess there isn’t one with you.” I take the box out of my pocket and get down on one knee.
She gasps, and her hands cover her mouth. “Jameson.”
“I love you, Reese Adams, despite how mad you make me sometimes. I want you by my side every day. I want to make love to you every morning, and end each day tangled up with you. I want everything in between too, even the fighting. It means you’re alive on the inside and I’ve come to adore it.” I open up the box. “Will you marry me?”
Tears stream down her face and she joins me in the sand, on her knees. “I love you, too. With all my heart. I want to spend my nights making love to you and waking up curled up next to you every morning. I want the mix of everything. I’m glad you fight with me because it means you’re alive, too, on the inside. I wasn’t sure you’d ever heal enough to be that way again. I love that you see every sweet, beautiful, sexy, captivating part of me.”
She uses the words I said to her. “You heard me.”
“I did hear your words. More than that, I felt them.”
“You still haven’t answered my question.”
She jolts her body forward, knocking me over in the sand and places kisses all over my face. “Yes! Yes, I will marry you.”
People around us start clapping.
We get off the ground and wipe the sand off our clothes. I place the ring on her finger, and she locks her hands with mine. “It’s the perfect ring.”
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out to check the message I’ve been waiting on.
“Hey! Give me that!” Her pretty little manicured hand snatches it from me and tosses it in the sand.
We both burst out laughing, and I grab her to me for a passionate kiss.
“I have one more surprise for you.”
“There’s more?” She bats her eyes.
“Yes.” We walk out further in the sand, and I pick up our phones, shutting mine off and stuffing it in my pocket. She stuffs hers in her clutch purse. I glance at my watch. “The timing should be perfect,” I say.
“Timing for what?”
“You’ll see.” We walk a little further down the beach and then cut through a lighted pathway. When we get to the other side, there’s a white tent covered in soft twinkling lights and a man dressed in a suit, waiting for us. Beside him are Greg, Grace, and Gypsy, who’s wearing a red bow tie.
“What’ this?” Reese stops walking. “How did this happen? They are in California minding the office. And, Gypsy, she’s wearing a red tie that matches us.” Tears begin to stream down her face.
“I want to marry you here and now. Please don’t cry. I texted Greg when I was getting ready and told him the color of your dress so he could pick up a red tie for Gypsy before they got here.”
One hand goes to her hip. “What if I would’ve said no?”
“Then I would’ve paid the man and canceled my plans, and Greg and Grace would’ve had a free vacation on me.”
“You were awful sure of yourself, mister.” Her sharp fingernail points in my chest.
I start loosening my tie and unbuttoning my sleeves.
“What are you doing?”
“It looks like you’re wanting to fight about this, so I’m undressing.”
She laughs and halts my hands. “I love that you would marry me naked, but there’s no need to fight. I want to marry you tonight, right here, right now.”
“Good thing because he doesn’t look like a guy who’d want to stare at my junk, and I’m sure Grace didn’t fly halfway across the earth to see me naked.” I chuckle.
We make our way to the gazebo, and in the dusk of the night under the brightest stars I’ve ever seen, in front of our friends and our dog Gypsy, who makes me feel like Lyla is watching over us and is very pleased, I marry Reese in her red dress.
Free Books
Check my website for a listing of current FREE books.
Broken Pieces
Taking Down Brooklyn
Dare to Enter
About the Author
Kelly Moore began writing and journaling at a young age, with dreams of becoming a song writer as an adult. Although her aspirations got side-tracked with a career in nursing, she never stopped putting pen to paper. Stories began to develop and her focused changed to becoming a published author.
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It wasn't until 2015 that a friend encouraged her to publish her novels. She became a traveling nurse which allowed her more time to focus on her craft, and take on adventures than would become part of her stories. She was raised in Mt. Dora, Florida, but resides somewhere in the Pacific North West, living the life of a Gypsy.
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Her first book published, Broken Pieces was only the beginning. With over 30 books published, she writes Moore Than Just Romance. Whe
n not writing, she enjoys the great outdoors with her husband and dogs, and traveling back to Florida to hang-out with her beautiful grandkids.
Also by Kelly Moore
The Broken Pieces Series in order
Broken Pieces
Pieced Together
Piece by Piece
Pieces of Gray
Syn’s Broken Journey
Broken Pieces Box set Books 1-3
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August Series in Order
Next August
This August
Seeing Sam
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Brooklyn Series in order
Taking Down Brooklyn
Taking Back Brooklyn
Taking Jake
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Epic Love Series can be read in any order
Say You Won’t Let Go
Fading Into Nothing
Life Goes On
Gypsy
Jameson Wilde
Available in Audiobook
Fading Into Nothing, Life Goes On, Gypsy
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Rescue Missions Series can be read in any order
Imperfect
Blind Revenge
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Fated Lives Series
Rebel’s Retribution Books 1-4
Theo’s Retaliation Books 5-7
Thorn’s Redemption Books 8-10 Winter 2019
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The Crazy Rich Davenports Season One in order of reading
Dare To Enter
Hot Mess
The Loon
F%#king Screwed
Don’t Wake the Dead
Then There Were Four
I Promise to Obey…Nothing
Boos & Booze
Bang Bang on the 4th - July 2nd, 2019
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Coffee Tea or Me
Cocky Captain
Falling Hard
Santa Kisses for Sale