Hailey let out a shaky breath. “I was so sure I was going to lose you guys just when I finally got a great family.”
Josh rubbed her back.
“Hailey,” Joe said, his voice warm, “even if something had gone haywire between me and your mom, I’d still want you in my family.”
“Oh.” She looked to Josh and blurted, “I’m with Josh and it’s serious and I know you didn’t want him to be with me—”
“Whoa, that is not true at all.”
“But Josh said you told him to keep his distance.”
“And I knew he’d do the exact opposite. Josh can’t back down from a challenge. I knew he’d try even harder to make the relationship work if he thought I’d come down on him for disrupting family harmony. I know my boy.”
She nearly collapsed with relief. She’d been so worried all this time about being on the outs with Joe and his wonderful family. It was a devious calculation he’d pulled, which reminded her of a certain someone. “You know your son because he’s just like you.”
Joe chuckled. “Not exactly, but pretty close. See what you’re getting into with us Campbells? And once you’re in, there’s no getting out. Terrible Godfather impression there, but you get my meaning. Seriously, though, Mad brought you in way back when, and we all love you.”
“I love you too,” she choked out. She looked to the ceiling, trying to hold off the tears. “How did my mom break her leg?”
“She tripped in the woods on the way to her grandparents’ old cabin. I only found her by asking around town about her family. I would’ve called sooner, but I didn’t have my charger. There wasn’t any cell service where she was either, so she couldn’t call for help. Anyway, I got her to the hospital and she’ll make a full recovery. Can you let Josh know all is well? He’ll tell the others.”
“Sure, he’s with me now. Thanks again, Joe.”
She disconnected and turned to Josh. “Your dad tracked down my mom. She broke her leg and just came out of surgery to set it.”
He nodded. “My dad was a damn good cop. He can track down anyone.”
“She’s so lucky to have him. She has no clue.”
Josh raised his brows and then pulled out his phone. “I’m texting Mad the good news and telling her to pass it on.”
Hailey took a few deep breaths, calming down from her scare. Then she shared the astonishing news that his dad actually did want them to be together.
Josh shook his head and put his phone away. “I should’ve known.” He barked out a laugh. “I was so crazy over you I didn’t put it together.”
She beamed, loving hearing him say he was crazy over her because she was crazy for him too.
He wrapped her hair around his fist and smirked. “So you love my dad.”
She smiled a little, still warmed from the conversation. “He said you all love me, so I said it back.”
He used his grip on her hair to pull her close, gazing into her eyes, asking her, no, demanding, she say the same love words to him.
She wrapped her hand around the back of his neck and gazed into his eyes, letting him know that she knew what he wanted, and she also knew that he knew she wanted the words from him.
His lips twitched, but his gaze never wavered. Two warriors engaged in an epic staredown. Neither of them giving an inch.
“Hailey.”
“Josh.”
“I love you,” they said at the same time.
Then they grabbed for each other, kissing like they’d just discovered the best thing in their life. Because they had.
Epilogue
Three days later, Hailey got the heads-up from Josh that it was official—he was now the owner of his dream bar. She scooped up Rose, tucking her into her purse, and left work to make the short walk down the block to Garner’s. He wanted to celebrate with her, and she’d cleared her afternoon schedule to be there for him.
Josh was standing outside, facing in her direction. Rose started barking excitedly. Her dog had fallen hard for Josh just like Hailey had.
“I know, Rose. He gives the best strokes, doesn’t he, with those big man hands?”
Rose got even more excited, nearly jumping out of the purse. Hailey quickly clipped her leash on and set her on the sidewalk. Rose raced ahead, straining at the leash, barking the whole time. Hailey had to hurry so Rose wouldn’t pull her collar tight and choke.
Finally she realized what had Rose so worked up. Josh was holding a small black dog with a round face, huge dark eyes, and pointy ears.
“Josh! You got a dog!”
He grinned. “Meet Max. He’s a rescue. They think part shih tzu, part Chihuahua. I thought Rose might like a pal.” He set Max down to meet Rose.
Hailey watched in delight as their leashes wound around each other while they sniffed each other like crazy. “So cute! I think they’re already buddies.” Both of their tails were wagging.
“Rose needed her equal,” Josh said.
She smiled up at him. That was what he’d said about her. “Yes. A warrior needs her equal.”
He held her by the jaw, tipping her face up, and gave her a quick kiss. “Look up.”
She did. “Ah! Josh! Omigod, I can’t believe it!” The sign didn’t read Garner’s Sports Bar & Grill anymore. He’d replaced it with a new name in deep red—Happy Endings. He’d named his dream bar after her Happy Endings Book Club, her business mission, her life’s mission. He’d named his dream bar for her.
Her lower lip trembled, her eyes hot. “You…Josh…I’m so touched.”
He held her by the chin. “This sign has been tucked in the basement storage for weeks while I fought to nail you down—”
“You can’t nail a person down. You can love them. You can be in a relationship with them, but you can’t…Josh?” She looked down at her hand, which he’d just closed around a small black box. Her heart raced, her mouth dry.
His dark eyes intent on hers, he held her hand closed around the gift. “Hailey, I wanted to show you that I had a strong foundation, owning my own business. I’ll never be rich, I can’t offer you a jet-setting lifestyle, but—”
“You’re a wonderful man with a big heart buried deep inside. I’ve seen it and it’s good. I don’t need a glitzy lifestyle. I only think money is important so you’re not destitute.” She went on tiptoe to whisper in his ear, “My mom couldn’t make rent when I was a kid and we ended up homeless twice. I like money for security, but it’s not how I measure someone.” She gazed into his eyes. “You’re measured by what you do and this…” She stared at the sign again. “This is such a wonderful gesture. I’m still stunned. Your dream bar named after me.”
His voice was rough and gravelly. “The dream isn’t nearly complete without you in it. Permanently. I love you and will spend the rest of my life making sure you have a happy ending with me.”
She flushed and laughed a little too because he was super-romantic, but he’d also slipped a sexy innuendo in there too.
He grinned. “Marry me.”
“I will!”
She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately. Something hit the ground, but she ignored it as his arms wrapped around her and he kissed her breathless. They broke apart at the sound of growling.
Josh dropped to his knees, pried the ring box out of Rose’s mouth, wiped it on his jeans, and opened it to her. A proposal on both knees? Swoon! It was a round diamond solitaire on a gold band. She adored it. He slipped it on her finger, looked up at her from his gallant kneeling position, and gave her a tender smile.
She squealed, pulled him up, and peppered him with kisses all over his scruffy face.
Josh slid his hand under her hair, cupping the back of her neck, and kissed her fiercely, possessively, like she was his. She had to return the same fierce claim.
Their dogs ran in circles around them, excited, the leashes tangling around their legs, binding them together.
~ ~ ~
Brandy and Joe’s wedding was perfect. It took place onl
y two days later, so Hailey had to work with a bride on crutches, but it only went to show how deeply Joe loved his bride. He didn’t care that she moved awkwardly down the aisle on crutches or that she had to sit through most of the reception at Happy Endings bar. He doted on her, his eyes full of love, his every gesture for her comfort. And her mom positively glowed with the love she had for Joe.
Hailey let out a happy sigh, surrounded by friends and the Campbell family, which she was now a part of in so many ways they’d never be able to cut her loose. Josh was her fiancé, Mad was the sister she’d always wanted, Joe was her stepdad, and all the brothers treated her like gold. Not to mention three of her friends were married to Campbells and one friend was engaged.
Josh entwined his fingers with hers as they watched the bride and groom have their special dance, which was more like the happy couple standing still, arms wrapped around each other. Every once in a while, Joe would lift her mom in her cast and spin her in another direction.
“So cute,” Hailey murmured.
“Next is the maid of honor and best man dance,” Jake Campbell announced. “And let’s give them a round of applause on their new engagement.”
Hailey flushed with happiness as everyone cheered for them. This was the first time Hailey had seen everyone since Josh had proposed two days ago, though, of course, she’d texted and called everyone immediately.
“It was about time!” Mad hollered.
Josh pulled her to the small dance floor in front of the bar, drawing her close for a slow swaying. He looked ridiculously handsome in his tux, clean-shaven, his hair still sexily rumpled. His hair was so thick there was just no taming it, which explained why his twin kept his hair short.
“Hello, lovebirds,” Joe said, dancing with her mom nearby. “You’re welcome.”
“Ha,” Josh said. “You don’t get all the credit. I got moves, old man.”
Hailey blushed. “Josh.”
“What?”
Her mom laughed. “Why do you think we made you maid of honor and best man in the first place? It was a last-ditch effort to get you together.”
Hailey turned to Josh in surprise. He looked equally surprised. That hadn’t exactly worked out like her mom and Joe might’ve thought. Hearing Josh tell her he’d be best man to her maid of honor had been the last straw that caused her to break down in tears. At the time, being stuck with Josh, who’d rejected her, while everyone around her was having the happy ending she’d so craved had felt like the worst thing in the world. Maybe she needed to be stuck with Josh to find the wonderful man waiting to come out and love her. Once he was done being an arrogant beast.
“Like I said, you’re welcome,” Joe said smugly before whisking her mom off the dance floor and back to a comfortable chair.
Josh turned to her. “What do you think? They get the credit or us?”
Hailey shook her head. “I feel like I’m supposed to say us, but…”
He laughed. “Yeah. You made things extremely difficult.”
“Excuse me? If anyone made things difficult, it was you. I didn’t even think you liked me.”
His hand slid up her spine to cup the back of her neck. “I always liked you. Why do you think I was your paid wedding escort in the first place?”
“Because you needed money.”
One corner of his mouth lifted, his dark eyes sparkling with good humor. “I thought you were asking me out, and then when you said it was part of your business plan, I pretended like I knew that all along.”
“Josh! We could’ve been dating years ago! I could’ve been the first one with a happy ending!”
He hugged her. “Honestly, I don’t think so. I was fighting the attraction because I thought wrongly about you.”
“And now?”
He pulled back to gaze into her eyes. “Now I’m going to marry you and live happily ever after in a house in Clover Park with our two dogs and as many kids as I can get out of you.”
Her jaw dropped and then she was so overwhelmed with emotion, she had to turn her head away, hiding tears. “Shut. Up.”
He turned her back to him and kissed her. “You like that, huh?”
“I love that!”
Someone socked her arm. She turned to see Mad next to them with her fiancé, Parker. Apparently, the dance floor had filled with the wedding party, and Hailey had been so wrapped up in Josh she hadn’t even noticed. True love could do that to you.
“Hey, sis,” Hailey said cheerfully. “Since we’re the same age, we could even be twins. The fraternal kind.”
Mad laughed. “Sure, twins. Then you’d be a great athlete.”
“And you’d be great for the pageant circuit.”
Mad made a weird face. “Sure, if only, right? Anyway, I figure since I’ll be your maid of honor, I should probably plan an engagement party and a bachelorette party for you.”
She hadn’t asked Mad to be maid of honor yet, but there was no one else she’d rather have by her side. “Sounds good!”
“You guys set a date?” Mad asked.
Josh answered for them. “I’m hoping this summer once she gets a break in her wedding planner schedule. Gotta nail her down quick since she’s expecting.”
Hailey gasped.
“Are you serious?” Mad hollered.
“Twins,” Josh said, puffing his chest out. “Hailey loved that Accidentally Pregnant by the Cowboy book so much I knew I had to make it real.”
Hailey gaped at him. “What’re you saying?”
Mad put a hand to her throat. “You knocked her up because of my book? Josh, that was just a joke. You weren’t supposed to…” She turned to Hailey. “Is this what you wanted?”
Hailey rolled her eyes. “I’m not pregnant.”
Mad glared at Josh. “I was actually excited.”
He ruffled her hair, messing up more than an hour’s worth of styling. “Gotcha. Be glad I let you off that easy for your prank.”
“More to come,” Mad said with an evil glint in her eye.
“Guys, come on, play nice,” Hailey said.
Parker leaned close. “This is what it’s like to have siblings, Hailey. Get used to it.”
Hailey beamed. She had siblings now. It was fantastic to be included with such a tight-knit family.
The song ended and the four of them walked off the dance floor together.
“So the wedding is in August?” Mad asked. “That’s usually a slow time for you.”
“Sure,” Josh said.
Hailey shook her head. “Oh, no, no, no. Are you kidding me? I need a year to plan our wedding. It’s going to be the perfect wedding to top all weddings.”
Josh let out a long low groan.
Hailey parked a hand on her hip. “I’m a wedding planner featured in Bride Special. I’m planning a wedding for royalty. My wedding has to be the best.” Prince Phillip had called yesterday with an apology for overstepping and had even been gracious enough to invite Josh to the royal weddings for Princess Silvia in the States and on Villroy Island. Hailey had accepted both the apology and the invitation. Josh was cool with it. Not that he wanted to see Phillip again. He just wanted to be with her.
They were pretty much inseparable now, spending every night together. Tomorrow Josh and his cutie dog, Max, would be moving into her place. Their apartments were equally small, but hers was cheaper and closer to both of their jobs.
Josh took her hand from her hip and held it. “Our wedding will be the best. But won’t that be expensive? I mean, trying to top a royal wedding.”
She lifted her chin. “I’m very creative and have a lot of connections. I’ll pull it in on time, on budget, and it’ll be the event of the decade, no, the century!”
Josh stared at her for a long moment, opened his mouth, and then closed it.
“What?”
He framed her face with his hands. “You are magnificent, my warrior princess.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist. “So are you, my warrior beast.”
; He gazed into her eyes, letting her know he wanted her badly. She gazed back, letting him know she was on board, but shouldn’t they stick around for a bit since it was their parents’ wedding reception?
His hand slid under her hair, cupping her neck and pulling her close. He kissed her, smiling against her lips. Warmth stole through her.
They smiled at each other, basking in warmth, an electric attraction, and so much love, both of them knowing they were meant to be.
~ ~ ~
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Dear Readers,
I couldn't resist writing the wedding planner's wedding. Catch up with Josh and Hailey and all of the Happy Endings Book Club gang one year later in A Happy Endings Wedding!
A Happy Endings Wedding (Happy Endings Book Club #11)
Hailey Adams and Josh Campbell are finally tying the knot! Not only are they launching the new destination-wedding venue on Villroy Island, two major bridal magazines are documenting every detail. Hailey, an up-and-coming wedding planner, is determined to make her wedding the perfect wedding right down to coordinating her canine fur-babies’ outfits.
Except there seems to be a teensy problem with the wedding gown—there isn’t one.
And the rings have disappeared.
And somehow the wedding venue was double-booked.
Things go horribly downhill from there. With Hailey and the wedding falling apart at the seams, it’s up to Josh to put it all back together. What does a gruff former soldier know about weddings? Hailey is about to find out.
Preorder A Happy Endings Wedding now!
Click to see all of Kylie’s books on Amazon.
You’ve just read book #10 in the Happy Endings Book Club series. The books in the series are Hidden Hollywood (Jake & Claire), Inviting Trouble (Parker & Mad), So Revealing (Ty & Charlotte), Formal Arrangement (Alex & Lauren), Bad Boy Done Wrong (Zach & Carrie), Mess With Me (Ethan & Ally), Resisting Fate (Ben & Missy), Chance of Romance (Logan & Sabrina), Wicked Flirt (Marcus & Lexi), An Inconvenient Plan (Josh & Hailey), and A Happy Endings Wedding. I hope you enjoy them all!
An Inconvenient Plan (Happy Endings Book Club, Book 10) Page 21