by Noelle Adams
It was the best kiss of his entire life.
They were both grinning as they pulled apart.
“So now what?” he asked.
“I don’t know. What do you want to do?”
“To tell you the truth, I’m exhausted. I kind of want to take you back to the apartment and hang out with you and Theodore all day. Do you have big plans?”
She giggled. “I have no plans at all. That sounds perfect. Let me get my shoes on.”
As she was pulling on a pair of fuzzy-lined boots, Matthew made a face. “We just have to get through the inquisitorial squad downstairs first. They didn’t really seem to approve of me.”
“That’s because they thought you broke my heart. I think they’ll be fine now.”
“I don’t know. I think your mom has me squarely on her detention list.”
“Well, I love you, so she’ll have to get over it.” Skye reached for his hand. “So come on.”
Matthew took her hand and he went because he knew one thing for sure.
He’d follow her anywhere.
LATE THAT AFTERNOON, Skye collapsed back into the bed beside Matthew. She felt good now that she’d gone to the bathroom and cleaned herself up. Deliciously tired and sated after a lengthy round of very good sex.
She grinned at Matthew as he turned his head to face her. He was naked, the sheet tossed partway over his groin and thighs but leaving his chest and lower legs visible. His hair was damp and sticking out in all directions. He really needed to shave. His eyes were heavy and soft and warm in a way that made her fluttery.
“You know the thing I like about you?” she said, adjusting the sheet so she could get under since she was wearing nothing but one of his T-shirts.
“The thing?” He frowned. “There’s only one?”
With a little laugh, she scooted closer, pleased when he wrapped an arm around her and pulled her against his side. “Oh, there’s definitely more than one. This is just one example from a long list.”
“Okay. That’s better. Go on.”
“Well, I like that you’re a very hard worker.”
“What?” He lifted his head to peer at her. “Where did that come from?”
“It comes from the fact that you take your responsibilities very seriously and you work hard to do them well.”
“Why do you care about my responsibilities right now?” He clearly had no idea where she was going with this. He was so adorably clueless. Unaware of his own appeal.
She kissed his chest. Then again, a little higher. “Well, one of your responsibilities now is making sure I have a good time in bed. And you clearly work very hard at that.”
She watched as that registered on his face. “Oh.” A brief pause. “Oh.” The corners of his mouth turned up in a naughty smile. “So you had a pretty good time just now, did you?”
“You know very well I did,” she said a little primly. “It should have been perfectly obvious to you.”
“You were making a lot of gratified sounds, now that I think about it.”
With a playful shove, she said, “Well, don’t get a big head about it. I’m just saying I like that you make extra effort with it. Not every guy does that.”
“What?” His body stiffened. “You’ve gone to bed with guys who don’t treat you right? Who are they?”
She was dissolving in laughter so hard that Theodore got curious and took a bounding leap onto the bed. “No one’s treated me bad, Matthew. Not really. Just some guys are kind of selfish, and I like that you aren’t one of them. You’re really good in bed. You take it seriously. I appreciate that.”
Relaxing, he pulled her back against his side. “Okay. I just want to make sure it’s really good for you. Since it’s so good for me.”
She pulled his head down so she could kiss him, but she didn’t have the energy for more. They settled back in cozy leisure for a few minutes, and Theodore decided the best position for his fourth nap of the day would be stretched out across the bottom of the bed, right where their feet should have gone.
“So what are you going to do about Theodore?” Skye asked after a while.
“What do you mean? I’m going to keep him. I thought you knew that.”
“Oh yes, of course. I meant about your place in Richmond. He’s not welcome there, so won’t it be kind of hard to make that work for any length of time?”
“Yeah. It’ll be hard. I was thinking about moving.”
“Really? That’s a good idea. You could easily find a place that takes dogs in Richmond.”
“I was actually thinking about moving closer to Azalea.”
“What?” She popped her head up with a surge of excitement.
“You heard me.”
“But your job!”
“I’m keeping my job. It’s a good one, and I want to keep it. But I could probably find something outside of Richmond in this direction that’s a more reasonable drive. I don’t want to be too far away from you.”
It was more than she’d expected this early in a relationship. It gave her shivers of pure joy.
“Is that all right?” Matthew asked. “I’m not crowding you too soon or anything, am I?”
“No! Of course not. I love you, Matthew. I want you as close as possible. But I also want things to be good with your job. Richmond isn’t that far away.”
“I know. But a little closer is a little closer.”
“True.” She was smiling as she squeezed him with one arm. “When is your lease up?”
“Just another month.”
“If you want, Theodore can stay with me at my new house so you don’t have to keep smuggling him in and out.”
“I thought about that.” He reached down to scratch Theodore’s head, which made the dog pound his tail a few times on the mattress. “But I don’t want him to think I’m giving him away. What if he thinks I don’t want him anymore?”
It was so sweet Skye hugged him again. “Okay. I guess the worst that they can do is fine you and kick you out. Since you want to leave anyway, that wouldn’t be the end of the world.”
“Exactly. We’ll hold out another month, and I’ll find someplace else for us. A little closer to you and Azalea. With a place for Theodore to run. He’d like that.”
“Yes. He would. It sounds perfect.”
If Theodore’s wagging tail was any indication, this plan was perfect for him too.
Epilogue
SIX MONTHS LATER, SKYE was in the back room at Second Chance Flower Shop with Ria and Madeline on a Saturday morning. The three of them were ostensibly doing some business planning for the next six months, but mostly they were killing time and drinking coffee.
Well, Skye and Madeline were drinking coffee. Ria was drinking a smoothie and pretending to be happy about it.
“A big dash of caffeine would fix that smoothie right up,” Skye said, doing her best to hide her teasing expression.
“Shut up.” Ria shot her a malevolent glare.
Madeline giggled. “I’m sure it’s terrible. I’d be the same way if I tried to give up caffeine. But you’re the one who went and got pregnant after only being married for a few months.”
Ria had announced her pregnancy only recently. She was three months along. She appeared to be taking the whole thing in stride—unlike Jacob who was over-the-moon happy about it and didn’t care who knew it—but her resolve to give up caffeine was obviously the thing that she was most troubled by. “I know. I’m super happy about it, of course. But I thought I’d eventually get used to this no-caffeine thing, and it’s still as painful as it was at the beginning. Even the smell of coffee makes me yearn.”
“Well, you can have some caffeine, can’t you? You’re just not supposed to overdo it,” Skye said.
“I know. I tried that at first. But evidently moderation isn’t my strong suit.” Ria sighed, her eyes growing soft. “I guess I should have known that when I was trying to quit Jacob and couldn’t seem to stop falling into bed with him.” While the others laughed at that,
Ria added, “Anyway, I’m not the only newlywed around here. Maybe you’ll be in the same condition soon.”
Madeline didn’t even blush. Just rolled her eyes. “Not anytime soon. Ken and I do want kids, but it doesn’t feel like the right time now.”
Skye was the only one of the three not married. If she hadn’t been so happy with Matthew, she might have felt weird about it. But things were going well in her relationship, and she wasn’t going to sabotage herself emotionally by expecting too much too soon. “Well, if anyone cares, it’s not the right time for me and Matthew either,” she said in a tone of exaggerated primness.
As she’d been aiming for, both Ria and Madeline laughed at that, and they were still laughing as Belinda came through the door from the front of the shop. “What’s so funny?”
“We’re just being silly,” Ria explained to her older sister. “And I’m complaining about not drinking caffeine. What’s going on? I thought you were staying home this morning.”
“I was,” Belinda said with her typical no-nonsense manner. “But I had some news and thought I’d share it.” When three pairs of expectant eyes focused on her, she continued, “Someone is moving into old Mr. Worth’s house.”
Skye’s head swiveled over to Ria. “Seriously? Why didn’t you tell us, Ria?”
Jacob’s grandfather had owned the largest house in Azalea—a big old Victorian on the outskirts of town. Jacob had inherited it when his grandfather died, but the house was too large and an undeniable money pit, so he’d put the house on the market almost immediately. It had stayed there for several months since it was such an impractical house for most people, but it had finally sold to a foundation no one had ever heard of for reasons no one could understand. The foundation had restored the house—spending what must have been a lot of money—but it had sat empty since then.
Ria’s dark eyes were wide. “I didn’t know! Jacob didn’t know about this. How did you find out?”
“Because I just got an email from the woman who’s going to be moving in. She’s thinking of starting a business and wanted to touch base with a local CPA about taxes and stuff.” Belinda was just as pretty as Ria, but she was so low-maintenance about her appearance that people always assumed she wasn’t.
“Who is she?” Madeline demanded. “Is she connected to the foundation?”
“I guess so. She didn’t explain that. Maybe she’s just renting it out. But she’s moving in with her brother. They’re arriving next month.”
“Her brother? Oh my, is he single?” Ria asked.
“I assume so since he’s living with his sister.” Belinda glanced around at the other three. “Why are you all looking at me like that?”
“Why do you think?” Ria demanded. “A new single guy in town? How often does that happen?”
“Why would you assume that he’d be interested in me?” Belinda asked.
“Well, why wouldn’t he be?” Ria was frowning at her sister.
“Oh my God!” Madeline burst in. “It’s like the beginning of Pride and Prejudice! The old Worth house is let at last. Please say he has a brooding friend named Darcy.”
“Did someone request a brooding friend?” The voice came from the door that opened onto the alley out back, and it surprised them so much they all jumped. Fitz stepped in with a little smile and arched eyebrows. “Reporting for duty.”
Ria laughed. “I’m not sure you can really do brooding, Fitz.”
“Why not?” He gave a huff of feigned indignation. “I can brood as well as the next man. And what’s this about Pride and Prejudice unfolding before our very eyes?” He glanced around, his questioning gaze landing on Belinda.
She sniffed and glanced away. “It’s a conversation that doesn’t include you. Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to eavesdrop?”
“They told me, but I don’t listen.” Fitz shifted his attention to Ria. “So what is it? Really?”
Skye could see he really wanted an answer, despite his perpetual manner of wry nonchalance.
Ria replied, “A brother and sister are moving into Jacob’s grandfather’s old house. We were joking about how it’s like the beginning of Pride and Prejudice.”
“Ah. I see. You’ll no doubt be disappointed when the man in question isn’t hero material. But maybe I’ll fall in love with his sister.”
They all laughed at that, except Belinda, who muttered that no woman in her right mind would be foolish enough to fall in love with him.
THAT EVENING, MATTHEW took Skye out to eat at a nice restaurant in Richmond. She suggested they just stay at his place—he’d been renting an apartment on the outskirts that allowed dogs—since it would be less of a drive back, but he said he’d rather be in Azalea for the weekend.
Skye didn’t care. It was a pleasant night. She’d had a delicious meal and three glasses of wine. Theodore had come with them, so he wasn’t at home alone but rather lounging comfortably in the back seat. If Matthew wanted to drive back to Azalea tonight, then he was more than welcome to.
They were almost home when she leaned her head back against the headrest and smiled at him rather sappily.
“What?” he asked, glancing over a couple of times as he caught her expression.
“Nothing. Just thank you for tonight. I had a really good time.”
“You’re welcome. I know Azalea doesn’t have all that much to offer by way of good restaurants, so I like to take you somewhere good occasionally.”
“Anna’s is good.”
“Yes, but it’s not really the same.”
Skye giggled. “No. It’s not.” She liked the look of his face in the glow from the dashboard. He was handsome and familiar and incredibly sweet beneath his habitual composure.
Matthew gave her another sidelong glance. “You’re staring at me again.”
“Not staring. Gazing adoringly.”
He rolled his eyes.
“Don’t give me that expression. I do adore you. You know that, right?”
He nodded, his eyes focused on the road. “I do. Although I really don’t know why.”
“Well, you don’t have to know why. You just have to believe it.”
“I do.” He gave her a smile that was full of emotion, vulnerability. “I adore you too. You know that, right?”
“Yeah. I know.” She was suddenly full of feeling. Her eyes burned. “It might have taken you a while to open up, but you’ve been the best boyfriend anyone could hope for since we’ve gotten together.”
“I might be kind of slow, but I try to make up for lost time.” He kept shooting her little glances, like he wanted to say something else. It took a minute but he finally did. “My lease is up next month.”
“I know. Mine too.” She hadn’t been expecting the sudden shift of conversation and so was momentarily confused.
“Should I... I was wondering...”
“Matthew? What’s going on?” So she was maybe a little slow this evening. She didn’t know what was happening.
He pulled his SUV over onto the side of the road without warning.
Skye peered around, suddenly realizing that they weren’t where she’d assumed they were going. “Why are we here?” she demanded. “This is the road to my parents. I thought we were going to my place.”
“We were. I mean, we are.” He cleared his throat and took off his seat belt, turning so he was facing her. “I wanted to say something first.”
She took off her seat belt too. Her heart was suddenly racing. Because she suddenly had an inkling of what was about to happen. “This is where I first knew I was in love with you for real,” she murmured. “Exactly here. That night.”
“Me too.” His voice was rough with emotion. His eyes were dark in the shadows of the night. Deep and very soft. “I knew I was in love with you that night too. Right here. So I wanted to do this here.”
“Oh my God!” she whispered, raising a hand to cover her mouth. “I had no idea you were going to...” She trailed off. It probably wasn’t wise to announce something wa
s going to happen until she knew for sure that it was.
It was.
Matthew pulled a little jeweler’s box out of a compartment on his door.
Skye made a squeaking sound and involuntarily reached for it in her excitement.
His mouth quirked. “I haven’t done it yet,” he whispered. “At least give me the chance to give it to you before you snatch it.”
She burst into half giggles, half sobs. Clasped her hands together to control them.
“Skye Devereaux,” he said, opening the box and showing her a pretty princess-cut diamond on a sleek gold band. “You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved. I’m never going to love anyone else. I want to love you for the rest of our lives, if you’ll let me. So will you marry me?”
She nodded. And kept nodding. Couldn’t seem to stop. She was nearly shaking with the strength of the emotion that was about to explode inside her.
“That’s a yes?” he asked.
“Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!” She threw herself into his arms. Or tried to. The console was in the way.
They managed to hug and kiss, despite the obstacles between them. And then they pulled apart so Matthew could slip the ring on her finger.
The unusual vibes from the front seat had awakened Theodore from his nap. He stood up and leaned between the front seats to nose at the box Matthew still had.
Matthew showed it to him. “No food. Sorry, buddy.”
Theodore didn’t believe him. He gave the box a tentative lick to test out its edibility and then huffed in disappointment.
Skye was still shaking and brushing away tears, but she reached into the glove box to pull out a bag of dog treats Matthew always kept there. She offered one to Theodore, who gobbled it up.
“So we can look for a house of our own?” Matthew asked. “You, me, and Theodore?”
Skye wondered if she’d ever been happier in her life. She nodded her agreement. “You, me, and Theodore.”
AUTHOR’S NOTE: The Second Chance Flower Shop series concludes with the final book in the series, The Remake (about Belinda and Fitz). You can find an excerpt from that book on the following pages. If you enjoyed this book, be sure to check out the earlier books in the series. The Return is about Ria and Jacob, and The Rebound is about Madeline and Ken.