“We’ll do more beach tomorrow.”
The nice thing about this trip is that we have a guide who has been taking care of us the entire time. He’s ready to move at the drop of a dime and now he’s whisking us off to another location farther around the island via boat.
When we arrive to our destination there is a beautiful white gazebo with a candlelight dinner for two waiting and an array of fresh plucked blooms are strewn about the floor and table.
“Happy anniversary.”
A man dressed in all white is standing on the side of the gazebo with a rolling cart of food and beverages. He begins to bring things to the table as Coop pulls out my chair for me.
“Sit.”
I am grinning from ear to ear at this point because while Coop has been doing some sweet things for me since we’ve gotten together, this is hands down the most romantic.
He shocks me for a moment when he doesn’t go sit across me but instead drops to his knees in front of me.
“Owens, I thought we’d always be comfortably in each other’s lives, but when you said the words I quit, that’s when I realized that I could never let you go. That was the day that I realized, and fought at first, that from the very beginning you were the only one for me. I love you. Will you marry me?”
Under a strategically placed napkin on the table is a ring box. Coop pops it open and looks at me with a hopeful expression. The glare from the diamond almost blinds me. It’s gigantic. Honestly it’s way too big, but I will never tell him that, because that’s just a testament to Coop’s heart.
Way too big.
“I’m not sure how you manage to still surprise me, but you do.”
“That’s not an answer.”
I start taking off my mother’s emerald ring, my good luck charm, and switch it to my other hand. I’ve got a new one now.
“I always knew that you were a fierce competitor, intelligent, and ridiculously funny. Now I know that you are also protective, serious, warm and loving. You are the only man I will ever love, Coop. Of course, the answer is yes.”
Coop slides my new, big, fat gaudy diamond ring on my finger and the tears start to fall. I never imagined for one second that I’d be in love and now marrying my boss. The boy who saved me. The man who loves me.
Then we kiss.
Madly. Passionately.
And it’s even better than the first time we did it, because this time I was sober, but more importantly this time I know without a shadow of a doubt that the kiss means he will always come back for me.
Epilogue
Four Years Later
“Congratulations to the first graduating class of Brooklyn Summit Preparatory High School For Boys!”
The applause intensifies to a thunderous roar as a group of one hundred boys of all shapes and sizes stand in their solid blue uniforms, beaming with pride. They’ve completed four years of a rigorous program that we all hope has set them up for success. The proudest one of them all though is their benefactor and my loving husband.
“You’ve done a good thing with these boys, Coop.”
“Congratulations, Cooper.”
“You must be so proud, Mr. Barnes.”
Everyone is congratulating my husband for a job well done and he deserves every bit of the praise. He had a vision and a determination to make this school the gold standard for what he hopes will be many more schools to follow.
“Raise the bar high and watch a child lift their hands to reach it.”
The boys repeat the school’s motto in unison.
The crowd applauds again.
“This was an amazing extravaganza wasn’t it?” I smile as I lean into Coop. “How do you feel?” I ask him as we stand next to each other in a faculty receiving line. Shaking the hands of the graduates as they leave the Kirtrina Owens Auditorium (named after my mother).
“It’s a cross between our wedding day and the first time I scored a touchdown.”
“Wowza! Then that’s good.”
“Exactly.”
“I wonder if I could top that though?”
“You top that most nights,” he whispers in his deep, baritone voice that I’ve grown to crave.
“Yeah but I think you’re going to feel even prouder when our own son walks across that stage.”
“Yeah, that will be…wait…what do you mean our son?”
“We’re having a baby,” I say excitedly.
“What?! You literally stopped taking the pill like yesterday.”
“More like two months ago. I took the test this morning. You were so preoccupied with graduation this morning, I wanted to wait to tell you.”
He places his large palm against my stomach. Then bends over to whisper in my ear.
“Even my sperm move fast like me,” he says using a mock tone of awe in his voice. “I am spectacular at all things.”
“That you are, husband. That you are.”
I laugh so hard that my stomach grows queasy. It’s funny how Carla never mentioned how morning sickness is really all-day sickness. I guess once she gave birth to Little D, she conveniently forgot about all of that. I can’t believe that he’ll already be starting kindergarten in the fall, and soon he’ll have a little cousin to play with and protect.
I’m so happy.
And the great thing about it is, I will easily be able to bring my child to work once he or she is born.
Because I definitely don’t think the boss will mind.
♡♡♡
Wolf was a sexy & intense loner full of secrets, but Diesel is the best friend & boy next door who got away.
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Two best friends. One hot romance. Lots of obstacles.
Will these two childhood sweethearts find their way back into each other’s hearts and lives or will they keep repeating the same mistakes?
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A Sexy Friends To Lovers Romance
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Wolf: A Sports Romance: The Nighthawk Series #2 Page 14