Jack’s face remained impassive as he watched me go from flustered to panicked to confused.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I don’t know. You’ve got it all figured out, so I thought I’d just sit back and listen to you tell me how not to propose to you even though that’s not what I was doing in the first place.”
Epic fail. What a jerk. I felt so stupid and small and . . .”I’m so sorry, Jack. I feel like an idiot. I didn’t meant to assume, I just . . . the way you said it, the way you were looking at me—”
“Is no different from all the other times. When are you going to get used to it, babe?”
“Get used to what?”
“Me ogling you like you’re the end all, be all of humanity? Because you are, Stella. And what I was saying before you ruined my non-proposal, was . . .” He paused for a second and grabbed my hands in his. “You know what, never mind. We have guests to greet. We’ll talk about this later.”
That’s it? He was dismissing me? I must have bruised his ego or something because Jack was not the type to not finish something he started. “Really?” I asked, sullen. “You sure? You’re not . . . mad?”
“Nope.” He shook his head as he led the way and I could swear I heard him mumble something along the lines of, “but you’re gonna be.”
I shrugged it off and followed closely behind. I was excited to get my first hosted holiday underway and to see what Mom thought of all the food I’d prepared. But when I opened the bedroom door, I was met with a loud and shocking “Surprise!”
My Mom and Caleb, Aunt Gina and the new guy she’d been seeing for the last few months, Nina and Ryan, and even Jack’s sister Emma startled me still with their thunderous shouting.
It wasn’t my birthday and there was no reason to celebrate other than to feast like the rest of us Americans did on the third Thursday of every November. I was utterly confused, and then dumbfounded when I spotted Jack, who had been right beside me just a second ago.
This time he stood underneath a pre-printed sign that read, “You are the Sunshine of my life.” I hadn’t noticed it before, so someone must have hung it while Jack and I were in our room. Not only was everyone gaping at me as if I was the main character who’d forgotten her lines in this strange impromptu performance, but the music that played in the background seemed to fit as a soundtrack to what was taking place around me.
Here Comes the Sun echoed through our tiny flat and even though I was disoriented by the unexpected surprise, a huge smile spread across my face as the lyrics to the song warmed my heart. “It’s our song,” I hummed, locking eyes on Jack.
“Yes, it is. This is all for you and everyone here has this tiny little question they want to ask you.”
Everything fell into place as if it had been written in the stars, mapped out to perfection, signed, sealed, and delivered by fate herself. As tears pricked my eyes with the realization of what was happening, Jack dropped to one knee and our most beloved family and friends shouted over the song, “You’re his Sunshine. He’s your Flame. Promise him forever by taking his name.”
I should’ve been angry. He’d done what I’d told him not to. When we started out a year ago, it was at Mach speed. Even still, it hadn’t taken very long to know I’d love him for the rest of my life. But with all the tumultuousness—my kidnapping, Aubrey’s mental breakdown and being institutionalized, the move, starting school again—I wanted to take things slowly and savor each day before we had to grow up and face reality. Unfortunately, I was so determined to do things my way that I’d failed to realize that time waited for no one.
Flattered by what was taking place around me, I let it sink in. Ever since I laid my eyes on him time had seemed to stand still. And here he was, offering me a lifetime of the love I’d become so helplessly addicted to. I couldn’t say no to this. Not in a million years.
“My beautiful, beaming Sunshine, I know you think it’s too soon and your stubborn albeit perfect ass needs to be in control of all our future plans, but . . .” He hung his head and took a moment. When he met my gaze with his again, his blue eyes sparked with the hope I’d grown to hold on to during darker days. “This day marks one year since I thought I’d never see you again. I want to erase all the bad from this date and replace it with something far better. Today is the day I offer up my heart to you. It’s been yours since I stood at that altar and watched you walk your mother down the aisle to marry my best friend. But now I want what they have. I want it all. Please don’t hate me for going against your wishes, please understand that I can’t wait a second longer to ask you . . . Stella Edwards, will you marry me and make an honest man outta me?”
Before I could answer, the apartment teemed with oohs and ahhs. It should have felt like an intrusion on our intimate moment, but it was anything but. These people had gotten me and Jack here. They deserved to hear my answer almost as much as Jack did.
Unable to contain the happiness that exploded in my chest, I ran to Jack and threw my arms around his neck, knocking him over. “Yes! I’ll marry you, Jack. Of course I will.” I peppered his face with urgent kisses, hugging him tighter than I ever had.
Our magical moment seemed to last well into the first course, the main event, and way after dessert. As promised, after everyone left and it was just Jack and myself left to soak in our bliss, I led him into our bedroom and showed him that he wasn’t the only flame who could heat things up. Loving Jack was not my intention, but destiny showed us that best laid plans fall apart so better things can come together.
THE END
It goes without saying that every book has a list of people behind it that need a special shout out. To everyone and anyone who’s supported me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My family and friends are the best of the best, especially my husband and daughters who’ve learned to adjust to having Faith in their lives rather than just Mom or Wifey. I appreciate your encouragement and interest in what I do more than you’ll ever know.
Now, onto that entourage of awesomeness. Gotta Have Faith folks, this book is dedicated to you because you are my main motivators, cheerleaders, shoulders to cry on, peeps to laugh with. I can’t tell you how special I feel within the virtual walls of that group. You make me smile, and I always say laughter is good for the soul—so thank you for feeding my soul on the daily.
To the Indie Chicks Rock girls—talk about support! We’ve grown and expanded and been on some really awesome adventures this year. It’s true what they say, girls compete, women empower. Thank you for empowering me! I feel so blessed to be part of our clan.
Babs, El, Liv, and Rose, you are my role models, and I thank you for being such kick ass ladies to look up to. Seriously, I have no idea what I’d do without you.
A beta is worth her weight in gold and damn am I rich in beta love. Shannon Mummey, Laura Murphy, Stephanie Rose, Ella Stewart, and Meredith Lynn Patton, I bow at your feet in thanks. Your suggestions helped make this story better, your encouragement fueled me to continue, and your guidance is more valuable than words can describe. Mer, you put the spark in my Flame. I look forward to our chats and I am so honored to call you a friend. Stephanie, you tell it like it is, and even though we don’t always agree, I need you to keep it real. Thank you for being a special part of every one of my days, friend. Laura, spit it out, fucker! You just . . . you’re you and that’s all you need to be because it’s freaking awesome having your eyes on my words. Shannon, I’ve loved you from the get go and as a beta you totally rock my socks off. Ella, your enthusiasm makes me prouder than a mama bear. Thanks is not enough for all the time and love you put into my babies.
To my cover artist, the ever talented Najla Qamber for creating another beauty I am so proud to put on the cover of my book. I don’t know how you do it so effortlessly, but you just do, so thank you. CA Borgford, my lovely formatter, you once again make things flow as smooth as honey. I can’t thank you enough for always being on the ball for me. Brenda Letendre, my longt
ime friend and editor, as always, your expertise is so greatly appreciated. Thank you most of all for being my book mama! I love you lots. Every writer needs a Shawna! Shawna Gavas, you are a proofreading genius and I am certain your eyes are magic. Thank you for always finding a way to fit me in. I can’t wait to hug you again in Chicago. To Giselle and the team at Xpresso Book Tours, entrusting you with my cover reveal and release blitz was a no brainer, so thank you for doing such a superb job.
I’d also like to thank my friends and police officer wives, Mary Raggi and Fran Sena for letting me bend their hubbys’ ears when it came to ironing out batshit crazy Aubrey details. It was Thanksgiving week and I was in a bind and Jon-Michael Raggi and Michael Sena took the time out to assure their wife’s crazy friend some accuracy. Thank you for all you do to keep our city safe, and for helping me out.
To wrap things up, I have to thank all the bloggers, groups, and readers for being so amazing. Like I always say, we’d be nothing without you. There are so many books out there, so many awesome authors, so for you to take the chance on one of mine is simply astounding. My heart is full with the love and support you’ve shown me over the last few years so thank you for all you do to keep my faith in this book world.
As always, if you liked what you read, please leave a review. Ten simple words make all the difference in letting others know this is a book that should be picked up. Stay tuned for more from me . . . I’ve got lots in the works.
XO Faith
Faith Andrews is living out her dream right outside the greatest city in the world, New York City. Happily married to her high school sweetheart, she is the mother of two beautiful and wild daughters, and a furry Yorkie son named Rocco Giovanni. When she's not tapping her toes to a Mumford & Sons tune or busy being a dance mom, her nose is stuck in a book or she's sitting behind the laptop, creating her next swoon worthy book boyfriend. Coffee addict, lover of wine and cheese, and sucker for concerts and Netflix, Faith believes in love at first sight and happily ever after.
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Man of my Dreams
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Keep Me
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Keep Her
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First Came You
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Feel Again
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Freeing Destiny (Fate #2) Page 24