The Beauty of Us

by Kristen Proby

  “I love you, Riley.”

  “I love you too.”

  Her voice wavers, catching my attention. She has tears in her gorgeous eyes, and it tears me apart.

  “Hey, don’t cry, baby.”

  “I’m sure it’s just a physical reaction to so many orgasms right in a row.”

  She’s so fucking adorable.

  “I’m sure that’s it.”

  “And I’m relieved,” she admits with a whisper. “I didn’t want to lose you.”

  “You were never in danger of losing me.”

  She nods and wipes her tears away.

  “You need to know, right now, that I don’t do well with drama. It’s one of the reasons that I had so many issues with dating when you met me. I don’t play games, Trevor.”

  “I know.”

  “And suddenly your past was in my face.”

  “I’m so sorry. I promise you that they have both been dealt with.”

  “I trust you. I never stopped trusting you. I didn’t think for a second that you were cheating on me with either of them.”

  “Thank you for that.”

  “You wouldn’t do that. You’ve had it done to you, and I know you wouldn’t put me through it.”

  “Never.”

  “So I mostly thought they were pathetic. And they both wanted to stir the pot.”

  “Which, I guess, they succeeded in doing,” I reply. “But no more.”

  “My biggest problem was not hearing from you. I’m too needy for that.”

  “Okay, we’re going to squash this right now,” I reply, feeling my blood begin to boil. “You are not needy. Stop saying that. You need attention from me, and I’m your partner, Riley. You should have all of the attention that you need and more. I don’t ever want you to feel guilty for asking for what you need from me.”

  “It’s a knee-jerk reaction,” she admits. “And you’re right, it’s not needy, especially because we’re in a committed relationship.”

  “Exactly. Don’t speak about yourself that way anymore. You’re putting yourself down, and that’s not right.”

  “You’re good for me,” she says. “I hope you’ve got a new phone.”

  “I need to take care of that soon.” I kiss her chin. “I was in too big of a hurry to get up here, so I didn’t have time to go in and swap it out.”

  She laughs and wraps her arms around me, hugging me close.

  “Thank you for coming for me.”

  “Always, love. Always.”

  “I’m so damn nervous,” I say to Cami one week later at the restaurant. I’ve arranged for Mia to make Riley’s favorite food, a special pizza that apparently only Mia knows the recipe to, wine, and mini carrot cakes for dessert.

  Not to mention the diamond ring currently burning a hole in my pocket.

  “You’re going to be great,” Cami says as she puts the final touches on our table. Kat took Riley out to get her nails and feet done, along with a shopping trip.

  All on my credit card.

  And everyone we love is here, but hidden. Kat’s surprise party gave me an idea for how I wanted to propose to Riley.

  Nana and Colleen are chatting in the bar, both looking at Colleen’s phone and laughing. Even my mom is here, but Colleen has yet to speak to her.

  I wish those two would figure their shit out, but at least they’re both here for me today. My other sister, Lisa, couldn’t make it, but Colleen promised to take a video and send it to her.

  “They’re on their way,” Cami says with a grin. “I’m going to lead Riley in here to you, and after she says yes, we’ll all come rushing in to congratulate you and then we’ll have dinner.”

  “If she says yes.”

  “She will.” Cami winks and scurries around to make everyone hide, in the kitchen or behind the bar.

  If seems like an hour goes by before Riley walks into the restaurant, a frown on her pretty face.

  “Why aren’t we open?” she asks.

  “Because I asked the others to close tonight,” I reply, and reach my hand out for hers. “Did you have fun today?”

  “I got pampered and went shopping. Few days are better than this one.”

  God, I hope that’s the truth.

  Kat sneaks into the bar, and I’m left with Riley, about six dozen flowers, candles, and a ring.

  Now it’s time to make some promises.

  “I love you.”

  She smiles widely and pushes up on her tiptoes to kiss me.

  “I love you too.”

  I take a deep breath and decide that the speech I’d prepared is dumb. The right thing to do is to speak from the heart.

  “Riley, I need to tell you a story.”

  “Okay,” she whispers.

  “It might be autobiographical.”

  Her lips twitch. “I like those kinds of stories.”

  I nod and lick my lips. “I wasn’t looking to fall in love when I met you. I was excited about the opportunity to feature your business on television, but beyond that, I had no expectations. In fact, the week after we wrapped filming, I was supposed to fly to Miami to scout out another place.

  “But then I met you, and I knew that you were going to be an important part of my life. I’m so glad that every other man before me fucked up so colossally. I’m so happy that they were all idiots, because they gave me the opportunity to show you how a woman should be treated.

  “They gave me the opportunity to fall in love with you, and for you to love me in return. Riley, I’m not a young man. I’m not over the hill quite yet, but I’m experienced. I failed at this once before, and in that experience, I learned some very important lessons, the most important of which is trust. Mine and yours. Trust is a choice, Riley, and that’s something that we’ve always had for each other.

  “And in that same vein, love is a choice. Every day, even when you’re pissed at each other. It’s a decision, that even though I may be disappointed or frustrated, or you may be ready to smack me on the back of the head, we will continue to choose love. The trust and the love go hand in hand for me, and that’s where I failed before. I’d chosen someone whom I certainly didn’t trust, and we chose not to love.

  “I won’t do that again. With you, I’ve learned that there can’t be one without the other. Just like there is no me without you.”

  Tears are falling down Riley’s cheeks as I sink to one knee and pull the ring out of my pocket, holding it up. Riley’s hands cover her face, but she continues to watch and listen.

  “So, I’m asking you today, with all the love and trust in my heart, to marry me. Continue being my partner, my love, my life.”

  “Trevor,” she whispers.

  “Will you marry me, Riley?”

  She nods and sinks to her own knees, cupping my face in her palm.

  “Of course I’ll marry you.”

  I slip the ring on her finger and pull her to me, kissing her like crazy. Suddenly we’re surrounded by everyone. They’re applauding, whistling, and the girls are crying.

  “Everyone’s here?”

  “I thought you’d like to celebrate with the people you love the most.”

  We stand together, and I wrap my arm around her shoulders, not willing to let her go quite yet.

  “She said yes!”

  “We heard,” Nana says as she hugs Riley. “Congratulations, sweet girl.”

  “That was a great speech,” Mia says. “It’s worthy of my pizza.”

  “Wait, you made pizza?” Riley asks, her eyes as wide as saucers.

  “That and carrot cake,” Mia says, smiling with satisfaction. “This man pays attention. You should keep him.”

  “Oh, I plan on it.” Riley lifts her lips to mine. “I’m absolutely keeping you. I love you.”

  “I know.”

  Epilogue

  One day later . . .

  ~Riley~

  “Should we start inviting the guys to our brunches?” Addie asks the following day. We’re at our usual brunch place, just the
five of us, drinking mimosas and eating a lot of food.

  Like, a lot of food.

  It’s our Sunday tradition.

  “You just got engaged last night,” Mia says with a frown. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

  “Yeah, why aren’t you in the sex cave?” Kat asks.

  “I was in the sex cave all evening,” I reply, and shift in my seat, not just a little sore today. “Taking a break isn’t a bad thing.”

  “She can go back to the sex cave later,” Addie reminds us all, and chooses an orange muffin from a platter. “I’m so happy for you, honey.”

  “Thanks. I can’t stop staring at my ring.” It’s a beautiful halo ring, with a round diamond in the center. “Trevor said it was his grandmother’s.”

  “That’s sweet,” Cami says with a smile. “It’s gorgeous.”

  “I know.” I’m beaming, and I don’t care. I just got engaged, and I’m the happiest girl in the world. “Oh, and I have some news for you guys.”

  “Please don’t tell us you’re already pregnant. I mean, let’s take some baby steps,” Kat says with a frown, making me laugh.

  “No. No babies for a while. I have work news. Trevor has arranged for us to have a permanent show on Best Bites TV.”

  “Wait,” Addie says, holding up a hand. “We’re going to have a camera crew around permanently?”

  “We’re starting with six shows to see how it goes, and then they’ll renew from there. And, it’s not necessarily going to center around the entire restaurant. They’ll be focusing on one aspect.”

  “No,” Mia says, immediately shaking her head.

  “The kitchen,” I confirm. “Here’s the thing, Mia; they loved you. You’re a natural in front of the camera, and you’re beautiful. It’s a great combination.”

  “What kind of stuff do they want her to do?” Kat asks.

  “They want her to go head-to-head in a cooking competition with a celebrity chef. They haven’t decided if it’s going to be the same chef each week, or if they’ll switch it up each week.”

  “Why me?” Mia asks. “You guys, I admit the show we already filmed wasn’t bad, but I don’t really want cameras in my face all the time.”

  “Trevor is looking into using a studio so you don’t have to have cameras in the kitchen. It’ll be a set made to look like your kitchen.”

  “Wow, the network is throwing a lot of money at this,” Addie says.

  “They are. Mia, it’s a great opportunity for you. You’ll be compensated well.”

  “Do they know who the celebrity guest is?” she asks.

  “They already booked Camden Sawyer,” I reply, and try to hide my wince behind my champagne glass.

  “No way,” Mia says, shaking her head adamantly.

  “Come on, Mia, Camden was a long time ago,” Addie says. “It’s been close to ten years since you’ve even seen him.”

  “Absolutely not.”

  “Mia—”

  “I said no,” she says, and stands. “I will not do a TV show with my ex-husband.”

  She marches out of the restaurant, and the four of us are left staring at each other in shock.

  “Did she just say he was her husband?” Cami asks.

  “She did,” Addie replies.

  “Well, shit,” Kat says. “This is going to be interesting.”

  Beauty of Us Menu

  Mia’s Special Pizza

  Hand tossed dough with Basil marinara, Applewood smoked bacon pieces, Soppressata salami, Fennel sausage, caramelized onion, Fresh mozzarella and Balsamic glaze

  Abacela Dolcetto, Umpqua Valley, Southern Oregon, 2012

  Siduri Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2015

  Mini Carrot Cakes

  Sineann Riesling Auslese, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2013

  Mia’s Special Pizza

  Dough:

  14 oz. Warm Water (100° - 115°F)

  0.65 oz. White Sugar

  0.365 oz. Dry Yeast

  22.4 oz. Bread Flour

  1.8 oz. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

  0.215 oz. Salt

  Combine water, sugar and yeast. Let sit for 5–8 minutes while yeast begins working an aromatic foam begins to form on top.

  To a mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the flour, oil and salt. Start mixer on low speed and add the water/sugar/yeast mixture and mix until combined.

  Turn the mixer to medium high speed and mix dough until fully developed, 8–10 minutes.

  Place into oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let sit for 45 minutes, the dough will double in size. While dough is fermenting, assemble toppings and make sauce.

  Pizza Sauce:

  2 cloves of garlic, minced

  1 T olive oil

  1 can tomato paste

  2 t. dry Italian Seasoning

  1 ½ cups water or chicken stock

  1 T. fresh basil chopped or more if desired

  Salt and pepper to taste

  In saucepan over medium heat, sauté garlic with olive oil until fragrant, about 30 seconds, not too long or garlic will burn and become bitter.

  Add Italian seasoning and tomato paste. Cook for 2 minutes to “toast” the tomato and add a little flavor.

  Add water or chicken stock and simmer for 5 minutes. The sauce needs to thicken and cook down a little, excess water will make a runny pizza.

  Add basil and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside until crust is ready to be topped.

  Toppings:

  Applewood Smoked Bacon, cut into pieces, and cooked until crisp

  Soppressata Salami, thinly sliced

  Fennel Sausage, cooked and sliced

  Caramelized onions

  Fresh mozzarella, grated or sliced

  Balsamic glaze

  To finish pizza:

  Punch dough down and begin forming into pizza crust. This can be done by rolling out on a floured surface or manipulating by hand and tossing in air.

  Place dough on lightly spray perforated round pan. Adjust crust on pan so the dough comes to the edges and almost over the top (there will be some shrinkage during baking). Prick raw crust lightly with fork so bubbles do not form during baking.

  Place pan into 450°F oven for 8 minutes.

  After removing crust from oven, add sauce and spread evenly over the top.

  Add all toppings, except the balsamic glaze. Add the fresh mozzarella that has been grated or sliced last.

  Place topped pizza back in oven and bake for an additional 6–8 minutes until all toppings are hot, cheese is melty and bubbling.

  Remove from oven and drizzle balsamic glaze over the top. Cut and enjoy!

  Carrot Cake

  2 cups sugar

  1 ½ cups vegetable oil

  4 eggs

  1 t. vanilla extract

  4 cups finely shredded carrots

  2 cups flour

  2 t. baking powder

  2 t. baking soda

  1 t. salt

  1 T ground cinnamon

  ¾ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (preference)

  ¾ cup shredded sweetened coconut

  Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare ½ sheet pan by spraying with pan release spray and inserting parchment paper on bottom.

  To make cake beat vegetable oil and sugar on high speed, until smooth and lights, about 4 minutes.

  With mixer on low speed, add vanilla and eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl and mixing well after each addition.

  Add the shredded carrots and mix on low until combined.

  Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon and mix until smooth.

  Add the pecans and coconut and mix.

  Spread onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 15–20 minutes until completely baked through and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

  Set aside to cool completely.

  Cream Cheese Frosting

  1 pound cream cheese

  ½ pound unsalted butter

  2 pounds powdered sugar
<
br />   1 T. vanilla extract

  Combine all ingredients in mixer and mix until fluffy and combined.

  Fill piping bag fitted with star attachment and set aside.

  To assemble cakes:

  Use 2 ½” - 3” ring molds and cut cake so you have 12 pieces of cake. (If you can get more cuts out of your sheet, you can make more cakes).

  Separate the cake rounds in to two piles, 6 on each side. On one round, pipe a rosette of frosting, top with the second round and then another rosette of frosting. Decorate the top of the cakes with sprinkles, candied carrots or edible flowers.

  Hold extra cakes, covered, in the refrigerator for 2–3 days.

  “If I Had Never Met You”

  Jake’s song for Addie, “If I Had Never Met You,” specially written and recorded for Listen to Me, is available for purchase from music retailers!

  Kristenproby.com/listentomesong

  About the Author

  New York Times and USA Today bestselling author KRISTEN PROBY is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle, The Boudreaux, and Love Under the Big Sky series. She has a passion for a good love story and humorous characters with a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen lives in Montana, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate, and sunshine. And naps.

  Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.

  Announcement

  Coming next from Kristen Proby, the final sizzling romance in her New York Times bestselling Fusion series,

  SAVOR YOU

  Cooking isn’t what Mia Palazzo does, it’s who she is. Food is her passion . . . her pride . . . her true love. She’s built a stellar menu full of delicious and sexy meals for her restaurant, Seduction. Now, after being open for only a few short years, Mia’s restaurant is being featured on Best Bites TV. To say Seduction is a wild success is an understatement. All the blood, sweat, tears, and endless hours of work Mia has put into the restaurant has finally paid off.