by Kimberly Fox
Tyler is watching the empty moving trucks rumble away down my street. Our street. He takes a deep satisfied breath. “And I’m married to the best girl in the world. Lucky me.”
“Lucky you is right,” I say, grinning as I slip my hand into his. I smile when I feel the wedding band that I bought him wrapped proudly around his ring finger. He never takes it off, even in the shower.
It’s been a month since Mack sold Hospitech to us for the price of a cheap coffee, and we’ve been living together in my place ever since. Tyler sold his condo in Vegas, traded his two cars in for a bike, and is now a permanent resident of house number four on Maple Ridge Road, Summerland.
We had talked about upgrading our house and even went to visit several properties, but after seeing a few, we decided to stay here. Every house we visited just felt wrong. They were too big, too impersonal, too flashy, too far from town. This house is just right. It’s going to be the perfect house to raise a family in, and now that I have the start of one, I can’t wait.
“Well,” I say when the moving trucks turn around the corner, and out of view. “I guess I’m stuck with you now.”
He takes my hand and pulls me toward the house with a smile on his face. “You guess right. Because I’m definitely stuck on you.”
We head into the house and start unpacking his boxes, trying to fit everything into drawers and closets that are already stuffed to the limit with my junk.
“You brought these?” I ask, shaking my head as I pull out the whip and ball gag from a box.
“We still haven’t officially had our honeymoon,” Tyler says, walking over. “I thought they might come in handy.”
“You thought wrong,” I say, tossing them back into the box. “We tried that once, and it didn’t work out so well.” I laugh when I reach into the box and pull out a large framed photo. It’s our wedding photo, the one that could double as a mug shot. “You got this framed?”
“I sure did,” he says, taking it from my hands. He’s all smiles as he walks over to the fireplace and puts it on display in the middle of the mantle. “Perfect,” he says, taking a step back to admire it.
“Not perfect,” I say, crossing my arms as I playfully glare at him. “I can’t have that on display in my house.”
“Our house,” he corrects. “Dahlia, marriage is all about compromise.”
“I’m willing to compromise,” I say as I walk over and grab the photo. “I’ll get my way and you can figure out a way to deal with it.”
He laughs as he steps behind me and looks over my shoulder at the photo in my hands. We look like a hot mess. The strands of my hair are as tangled as a box of Christmas lights, and my makeup looks like it would be more suited on a clown caught in a hurricane. Tyler looks just as bad with his half-closed eyes, and the ball gag strapped to his mouth. A trail of drool is leaking from the side of his mouth down to his chin.
“You look worse,” he says.
I burst out laughing. “Are you kidding me?” I answer. “Look at you! You look like you forgot what our safe word was.”
He takes the frame from my hands and puts it back on the fireplace mantle. “I guess we’ll have to let our guests decide who looks worse.”
“Fine,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest. “But don’t expect them to come back for a second visit.”
As if right on cue, the doorbell rings. “Are you expecting anyone?” Tyler asks.
“The moving trucks just drove through town,” I say with a laugh. “I’m expecting everyone.”
We walk to the front door and Tyler drops his jaw when he sees the whole town either on our front lawn or walking toward it with coolers, cases of beer, bottles of wine, homemade pies, and even portable barbecues that some of the guys are setting up on our driveway.
“Welcome to Summerland,” I say with a giggle. “There’s no place like it.”
I look up at Tyler, hoping that he’s not going to be overwhelmed and hide in the basement, but to my surprise, he opens the door, grabs my hand, and pulls me out onto the porch. “Hey, neighbors!” he shouts with a big smile on his face. “Welcome to our home!”
The huge crowd cheers as we walk down the steps to greet them properly. We get swarmed with hugs, warm welcomes, freshly baked apple pies, high fives, plants, bottles of wine, and even a handmade quilt with our names stitched on it from Mrs. Baker who lives down the street.
The alcohol starts flowing, the barbecues are lit, the music is pumping, and everyone is having a good time. I smile as I watch Tyler talking to a bunch of guys from the office. They’re hanging on his every word as he tells them a story. I’m wondering what he’s talking about when my old boss Mr. Wallace comes over holding a bottle of champagne with a bow on it.
“Congratulations, Boss,” he says, handing me the bottle. “I’m really happy you two took over Hospitech.”
“Thank you, Mr. Wallace,” I say, taking it from him. With Tyler and I as the new bosses, we had to demote him to a lower position, but he was thrilled when we offered him a big raise to go along with his demotion. He’s a good employee and we wanted to keep him happy. Even though I’m his boss now, I still can’t bring myself to call him by his first name.
Emily comes over next, giving me a warm hug as she congratulates me on my sexy catch named Tyler. “I told you nothing good comes of drinking white wine spritzers,” she says with a grin. “I’m glad you did Vegas properly.”
“I’m glad you forced me too.” We clink our beer bottles together and sit on the porch, watching the party. My eyes inevitably fall back on Tyler like they always seem to do. He’s taking over the grilling on the largest barbecue as the men of the town gather around with vigilant eyes. Tyler may be the new boss and the new cool guy in town, but none of that will save him if he burns the steaks.
“You better go save him from those barbecue Nazis,” Emily says with a laugh. “He doesn’t know what he’s dealing with. They’ll barbecue him if he flips over their steaks too early.”
I laugh as I walk over and tap him on his broad shoulder. “Can you help me with something inside?” I ask.
He turns to me with a grin. “I’m doing my best Bobby Flay impersonation over here.”
I step on my toes and lean into his ear. “Hey Bobby, these guys are going to flay your ass if you mess up their steaks.”
“This one is burning,” John from two streets over points out with a hint of panic in his voice.
“Alright,” Tyler says, handing the spatula to Greg. “I’m better at ordering steaks than I am at cooking them.”
The guys all turn back to the barbecue, arguing over who should get to hold the spatula.
“You can thank me later,” I say as we head inside. “I just saved your life.”
He grabs my wrist and pulls me into the hall closet, closing the door behind him. “How about I thank you right now?”
His lips come down on mine before I can answer. “Mmmm,” I moan as his tongue slides over mine. “You’re welcome.”
“I’m just getting started,” he says in a deep growl as his hands slide up to my waist. “It’s time to show you who the master of the house is.”
My breath quickens as his hands slide up and over my breasts. His lips come back down on mine and he kisses me until I’m panting for more.
“I think I’m going to like living with you,” I say between gulps of air.
“You better,” he says as he pulls me in close. “Because this house already feels like home.”
My heart swells in my chest.
I couldn’t agree more.
Epilogue
Dahlia
5 years later…
“What makes your hospital equipment different from the competition?” Mr. Moreau asks, looking at us skeptically.
“Quality. Reliability. Service,” Tyler says in an unflinching voice. I sit back and smile as I watch my husband do what he does best.
If we close this deal, Mr. Moreau will be Hospitech’s biggest client yet. He is looking
to purchase diagnostic and biomedical equipment for seventy-eight hospitals in France.
Tyler is a natural at making people want to buy from him. He speaks with so much passion and authority as he explains how Hospitech has an advantage over our competitors because our equipment is American made, and we don’t skimp on the quality in exchange for larger profits.
It’s not long before Mr. Moreau is eating out of his hand. The deal is as good as signed.
My pulse races as I watch Tyler, just like it has done for the past five years. We had our share of difficult times in the beginning when we first took over the company together, but once we found our groove, we became a formidable team. I took over the big picture planning and optimization of the factory, while he handled the employees and the day-to-day running of the company. After the first year, we moved Hospitech from the sixth largest hospital equipment manufacturer to the fourth. We’re currently at number two, but if we close this deal, we’ll be number one.
“It all sounds delightful,” Mr. Moreau says, frowning as he looks at the contract. “But the price. It’s ten percent higher than Medi-Ward.”
“It is higher,” Tyler says, leaning forward. “But think of the long-term savings. Broken machines, service repairmen, the inefficient running of the hospitals—those are all things you’ll be facing if you go with a lower quality company like Medi-Ward. Not to mention the loss of lives that faulty equipment will inevitably create.”
Mr. Moreau’s face softens as he listens. We have the best running equipment in the world because we’re all about quality.
After a few more minutes of convincing, Mr. Moreau shakes our hands and tells us we have a deal.
“You’re amazing!” I say, staring at Tyler with pure admiration after our newest and biggest client leaves with a signed contract.
“You’re amazing,” Tyler answers with a smile. “I was only able to sell it because of our quality rating, and that’s all thanks to you!”
“We’re both amazing,” I say as he walks over and gives me a kiss.
“Together we are,” he says, holding me tight. “We’re a good team.”
“The best!”
It’s the end of the work day on a Friday, and it’s such a beautiful summer day that we decide to leave early to celebrate.
“I guess that makes Hospitech number one,” Tyler says as I shut down my computer.
“It’s about time,” I say with a grin. It’s been a lot of work over the past five years, but we’ve grown the company, added departments, and have developed three new pieces of equipment, including a new and improved electrosurgical unit that saves hundreds of lives every day. It’s hard work, but it’s rewarding, and it’s fun because Tyler is by my side.
“Where is everybody?” I ask, looking around as Tyler walks into his office next door to shut down his computer for the weekend. It’s eerily silent for four o’clock.
I walk to the large window that looks out onto the floor of the factory and frown when I see that everyone is gone and that all of the machines have been shut down.
“I told them they could leave early,” Tyler says as he closes the door to his office. “Everyone has been working so hard lately and it’s a nice summer day, so I let them enjoy it with their families.”
I can’t wait to enjoy the rest of the day with my family.
Our three-year-old daughter Mia is at home with her nanny, and I can’t wait to see her.
We close up the factory and grab our bikes to ride home when I finally crack. It’s our five-year wedding anniversary today, but Tyler has been so preoccupied with our meeting with Mr. Moreau that he’s forgotten. He hasn’t mentioned a thing all day. I knew he forgot, but I didn’t want to distract him and make him feel guilty before the big meeting. But now that it’s over…
“What’s the date today?” I ask as we climb on our bikes.
“Friday,” he says, pedaling away from me.
He’s lucky he treats me like every day is our anniversary or I’d be really pissed.
I catch up to him, and we bike down the road side by side. The sun is out in full force, warming our faces, but the refreshing breeze is there to cool us off.
“I feel like today is significant for some reason,” I say, hinting pretty hard.
He doesn’t take the hint. “It is. Today Hospitech became the biggest manufacturer of life-saving hospital equipment in the United States.”
I sigh as I look for a hidden present in his bike basket or a big lump that could be a jewelry box in his pants, but there’s neither. It’s not like him to forget.
He turns left on Willow Street when we’re supposed to turn right to get back to our home. “Are you lost?” I ask with a raised eyebrow. “I know that Summerland is huge with its ten streets, but you have been living here for five years.”
He doesn’t respond as he bikes beside me, keeping his eyes ahead of him.
I smile as I pedal beside him. Maybe he didn’t forget.
The huge park comes into view, and I gasp when I see it full of people. “What did you do?” I ask, forgetting to pedal. My bike slows to a stop and Tyler turns around with a knowing grin on his face.
He hops off his bike and walks up to me with his stunning eyes shining brighter than ever. My knees weaken when he drops to a knee in front of me.
“Dahlia,” he says, reaching into his pocket. He pulls out a huge diamond-encrusted wedding band and presents it to me. “Will you marry me?”
“You’re five years too late,” I say with a grin. “I already married the man of my dreams.”
“Maybe you’re right,” he says, looking up at me with soft eyes. “But you didn’t get the engagement or the wedding you deserve.”
I glance up and see the entire town waiting and watching in the park. My heart starts beating faster.
“And you’re missing a wedding ring to match the one on your finger,” Tyler says, holding it up. “So, what do you say?”
I’m breathless as I stare down at the gorgeous ring that’s shining in the sunlight and the beautiful man holding it.
“Yes,” I say without a second of hesitation. I would marry Tyler every day if I could.
He looks thrilled as he jumps up and slides the ring on my finger. The crowd in the park cheers and claps as Tyler holds my hand up over my head. “We’re getting married!” he shouts, and they all cheer even louder.
Kirsten comes walking over, holding Mia in her arms. “Mama. Papa,” Mia shouts when she sees us. Kirsten puts her down and our daughter comes running over on wobbly feet. She’s wearing a beautiful little white dress that makes my heart melt.
Tyler scoops her up off the ground and we both swallow her up in a group hug, breathing in that sweet toddler smell.
“Mama pineapple, pineapple,” Mia says, pointing excitedly to the party.
“Oh, no,” I laugh when I see the huge ice sculpture in the shape of a pineapple. “Where did you get that thing?”
Tyler laughs. “You should have seen the guy’s face when I ordered a pineapple ice sculpture. He thought it was a prank call.”
“I can’t imagine why,” I say, playfully rolling my eyes.
“Come,” he says, taking my hand. “Let’s go get married.”
“Right now?” I ask, staring up at him in shock. I’m wearing a gray pantsuit, which is still an improvement on my last wedding outfit since it’s not soaking wet and covered in dirt, but still.
Emily comes rushing over dressed up in a light blue bridesmaid’s dress. She looks beautiful.
“Let’s get you out of this thing,” she says, grabbing my wrist as she looks down at my outfit. “This time you’re going to look like a bride in a romance movie and not a horror movie like last time.”
“You got me a dress?” I ask, staring at her in shock.
“Not me,” she says, shaking her head.
“You picked out my wedding dress?” I ask Tyler. Oh, my God, I love this man.
He shrugs. “It wasn’t hard to beat the last
one. This one will cover both boobs.”
Kirsten comes walking over, holding her arms out for her granddaughter. “Go get dressed,” she says with her happy eyes locked on Mia. “I’ll take care of her.”
Mia runs into her grandmother’s arms and gives her a big hug. Kirsten always looks so happy with Mia by her side. I’m really happy I could give her the grandchild she so desperately wanted. They look like best friends as they wander over to the park to play.
“I’ll see you in a few minutes,” Tyler says with a grin.
“Isn’t it bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding?” I ask, teasing him.
“I think those Lucky 7 drinks got rid of our bad luck forever. I haven’t had any since you walked into my life.”
He leans in to kiss me, but I put my index finger on his lips, stopping him. “Seeing the bride, I can let slide,” I say with a laugh. “But you’re going to have to wait for a kiss.”
“Let’s go already,” Emily says, rolling her eyes as she drags me away. “We’re on a tight schedule. That dreadful pineapple ice sculpture is starting to melt.”
I give Tyler one last look before I’m whisked away through the excited crowd. I’m surrounded by smiling faces and shouts of ‘good luck’ as Emily drags me to a high tent set up near the maple trees.
Wow. Tyler really went all out for this. There’s an archway set up near the lake with folding chairs set up for everyone. There are flowers and wedding decorations everywhere, and the whole thing looks like it’s out of a dream.
“You snagged yourself a good one,” Emily says, nodding in approval. “You couldn’t be luckier, and he couldn’t be luckier too.”
“Thanks, Emily,” I say, giving my maid of honor a hug.
“Congrats on the engagement, cuz,” Jason says, popping out of the crowd.
I wrap my arms around the boss of McMillan Worldwide Inc. and my favorite of Tyler’s cousins. “Thanks, Jason,” I say, giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “I can’t believe you flew out for this.”
He’s such a busy man with running Mack’s old company, so it means a lot that he came. He’s done an amazing job as the leader, and the company’s profits have never been higher. The best part is that he’s managed to do all that without closing down any departments, factories, or laying off any employees.