Tag You're Mine

by T L Osborn

  My fictional book boyfriend has turned out to be real.

  He’s all mine and I’m never ever letting him go.

  Epilogue

  James

  I’m nervous. My stomach is twisted into knots.

  What if she says no? What if she says yes?

  Thoughts of her saying yes, her brown eyes lighting up as she sees I’m serious and want her to be my wife casts my fears aside. They’re abolished in a heartbeat. Clicking the ring box open, then closed in my hand, I sip on my glass of whiskey as I look at her ring. I’d asked her father last week if I could have her hand in marriage and he told me he’d be honoured to have me as a son-in-law.

  “I’m surprised she didn’t find it,” Simon says, coming into my office and pouring himself a whiskey.

  “She doesn’t look in my work bag. Ever. That’s how I knew it was a safe place to stash it.”

  “You nervous?”

  “Scared shitless.”

  He chuckles. “I was too. Both times to be honest, but I knew it was right with Aria.”

  I scull back my whiskey, draining the glass and place the ring box into my pocket. “I suppose I’ll see you all tonight.”

  “You sure will. Go home to your girl and put a ring on that finger.”

  “If I had my way, I’d skip this part and just marry her.” I laugh, standing to put on my suit jacket and head out for the evening.

  “Good luck, hope she says yes,” he calls.

  “She will.” I hope.

  Climbing into my car, I’ve got flowers and her anniversary gift neatly wrapped on the seat. She has absolutely no idea what I’ve gotten her. Our actual one-year anniversary isn’t until next month, but I just can’t wait anymore. I can’t wait another day to ask her to marry me.

  Drumming my fingers on the steering wheel as I drive home, I think over what I’m going to say. Though I don’t need to say much, the book I have for her will do it for me. After what feels like an eternity, I finally park the car on the drive of our home.

  Our home.

  The one we built together.

  “Sweetheart,” I call through the house as I drop my keys, wallet and watch into the bowl on the hallway table by the garage door. I place the flowers, book and wine on the table as well.

  “In here,” she yells back.

  I follow her sweet voice and find her on the lounge floor surrounded by book stuff.

  Sniffing through the air, I say, “Smells like something’s burning.”

  She blinks up at me. “Oh fuck, the cupcakes!”

  “You baked cupcakes?” I ask.

  “Red velvet ones, but they’re burnt now.” She pulls them out of the oven and turns towards me. The tops are black. Her eyes fill with tears as she dumps the tray onto the stove top and I sweep her up in my arms.

  “They’re still edible, I can just cut the top off.”

  “It was supposed to be a surprise for you; a cupcake tower, but I got distracted by the plot for my latest book and now they’re ruined.”

  “Not ruined, just a little crispy,” I say, trying not to let her see my humour. She’s a mess at cooking, especially when trying to write a new book, often being forgetful, so we end up having takeout. “I have a present for you.”

  “You do?”

  “Yup. Go sit on the couch and cover your eyes and I’ll bring it in. No peeking,” I say. Returning to the flowers, I discover our delightful and mischief maker puppy, Rocket has decided they’re his new toy and has scattered them all over the hall floor. Seems Riley’s wasn’t the only surprise that was ruined tonight.

  “Rocket,” I scold and he whimpers at me. “Away.” He moves away, though not before dragging the stems of the flowers with him. Silly dog.

  Maybe I can convince Riley to get him a friend.

  Returning to the living room, she’s still covering her face. “How is it you can listen to me now, yet when I scold you and tell you you’re a bad girl, you act extra naughty?”

  She parts her hands. “That’s because I enjoy the spanking that follows.”

  I chuckle. “Hold out your hands, but keep your eyes shut.” She does as she’s told and I place the neatly wrapped gift inside her palms. “You can look now.”

  She opens her eyes. “What is it?”

  “Open it, and find out.” She tears the paper off gleefully like a child at Christmas. As she opens it and sees a book, she starts flicking through the pages. “You have pictures of us dating?”

  “Yup. Everything we’ve done together has been captured in here.”

  She pauses at one page and her lips quiver. “Poppy is in here.”

  “Of course, she is. Just because she’s passed away doesn’t mean she’s forgotten.” The further she gets into the book, the faster my heart races.

  This is it.

  The big moment.

  What will she say?

  I kneel on the floor, waiting for her to read it. I pull the box out of my pocket and open it, holding it out.

  “James… This says ‘Will you marry me’?” she says, looking up from the book.

  She gasps as she lays eyes on me, those soft doe-eyes, filling with tears.

  “I wanted to do this on our one-year anniversary, but I simply can’t wait. Riley, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”

  She tosses the book aside, and leaps into my arms. “Yes. Yes. Yes!” she squeals, then kisses me breathless.

  I remove the ring from its box and hold it out to her. Her hand is shaking as she waits eagerly for me to slide it onto her finger.

  “I had the ring engraved,” I say.

  “What does it say?” she asks.

  “Tag: You’re mine.”

  “All yours.”

  Fuck, yes, she’s all mine.

  A year ago, I never dreamed I could be this happy. Riley has made me a better man, worthy of loving and receiving love in return. She’s the reason my heart has escaped its locked cage and doesn’t want to go back in.

  And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Acknowledgments

  Firstly, to my husband, Craig. Without your love and support I don’t think I would’ve completed this book as quickly. Thank you for everything you do for me.

  Secondly to my son, Royce; for just being your adorable self. You brighten my world everyday with love and laughter. You make me want to write these books, to show you that dreams can come true, no matter how big or small. You just have to work hard to achieve your dreams and you will succeed.

  To Mum, Dad, my brothers Tyler and Connor. Your endless support and love means the world to me. Thank you all.

  To Aunty J and fellow book (wine) club member. Thanks for the nights of drinking too much wine, laughing and all your endless support.

  To the remainder of my extended family. Once again, I won’t name you all as you all know who you are. Thank you for the love and support throughout this journey.

  To David Wills for providing yet another stunning cover image. Without your help I would be nowhere with a cover. Thank you for answering my sometimes weird, wonderful and personal questions. You’re awesome. I look forward to working with you again.

  To Lou Gray of Gray Global Creations, who delivered another fabulous cover. Your skills are amazing; I would have no idea where to start. Thank you, and may we work together again in the future.

  To Swish Design and Editing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me improve James’ story, and making it better. Your work is incredible, with fast turn arounds, and absolutely on point suggested changes.

  To Carey Decevito. Thanks for being your fabulous self, and taking time out of your busy schedule to help me with proofreading and formatting my book.

  To Sam J D Hunt, Thanks for the wine and friendship.

  To Lauren Smith, who is a source of inspiration, mentor and friend. Though we live worlds apart, it feels like we’re never far away from each other.

  To Danelle, Rachel, Sarah, Paula and Courtney. Thank you f
or being there when I’ve chewed your ears off around characters, plot, and scenarios as if they’re real. Your endless love and support means the world to me, and I take all of my characters’ friendships from the bond we have. I love you all like sisters as that’s how much you mean to me.

  To Mary Meredith; a chance meeting turned into an awesome friendship. Thank you for being there, and letting me talk out situations, plot and characters, and for telling me what you think of my ideas. May we meet in the future.

  To Michael J Scanlon. Thanks for answering all my weird, wonderful and sometimes personal questions. Thank you for the support.

  To Aleisha Maree. You’re truly an amazing human; someone I’m proud to say is a friend. It was awesome to meet you, and maybe we can get together in the future.

  To Helen Johnson. Thanks for providing the donkey stuffing scenario; if you hadn’t been doing it for your wonderful girl’s birthday party, I wouldn’t have added it into the book.

  To Jen Hayes and Ivy Valori. Your friendship, love and support means the world to me.

  To all my other author friends, your love, support, and constant advice means the world. You’re all my inspiration to continue along this journey. Thank you, and please keep writing your amazing books as I shall continue with mine.

  Lastly, to my readers. I hope you enjoy James and Riley’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it. When I started Simon Says, I hadn’t thought of writing about James. As I wrote the ending for Simon’s tale, it struck me that I needed to write a story for his brother. Thanks for giving it a chance.

  About the Author

  About the Author

  T.L. Osborn is from Wellington, New Zealand. Mother and wife by day, author by night.

  She's always had a passion for reading ever since she was a child. Mainly reading Romance and crime stories. She finally decided to take her love of reading to an entire new level by writing her own books.

  She's a lover of chocolate, wine and cheesecake.

  Other Titles by T.L. Osborn

  Simon Says (Childhood Games, Book 1)