Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 16095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 54(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 54(@300wpm)
Hank put a finger across her lips. “Don’t say the last part. You don’t go saying a nice speech like that and then go and mess it up by thinking it might not work out.” He cupped her face while she still held the mug in her hand.
“I’m sorry for leaving you alone in my bed.”
“Did you work out your problems?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Then I don’t care. Just don’t make it a regular habit.”
Before she could say anything more, he kissed her hard.
****
When Hank had woken up to find that she’d left, he’d been … sad, heartbroken even. He’d clearly pushed too fast, too soon. He never believed in waiting around. Life was too damn short to let any moments pass you by.
He loved Sally. He wanted to build a family with her.
Breaking from the kiss, he kept her head tilted back so he could see her face. “I want to marry you.”
“Marry me?”
“Yes. I want it all with you, Sally Bright.” He smiled at her, stroking her face, her cheek.
“And here I was thinking we were going to take things slow.” She licked her lips.
“I don’t believe in slow. I want it all and I’m not getting any younger, neither are you.” He nudged his nose against hers.
“What a charming thing to say.”
“I love you, Sally. More than anything in the world. I want us to grow old together, to gross our kids out, and above all, I want to wake up every single morning with you in my arms, which is what I was hoping for today.”
“I’m sorry.”
He stroked her cheek. “You came back.”
“What about our shops?”
“I’ve already got a plan for them. All I need is for you to agree to love me forever, put up with my attitude, and we’re all going to be okay.”
She giggled. “Is this your proposal?”
“Yeah, it is.” He suddenly went down on one knee. “Sally, please, marry me. Be my wife and make me the happiest man on earth.”
“Can I take time to think about it?”
“No.”
“I took enough time. Yes.” She threw her arms around him and he caught her. He’d always catch his woman, always. Kissing her hard, he carried her into the house. They may not be married yet, but he believed in consummating her answer at least.
Epilogue
Ten years later
“Then what happened, Auntie Becks?” Leah asked.
Sally folded her arms as she watched her beautiful daughter ask questions about her first meeting with Hank when he returned from his high-powered job.
Speaking of the man in question, he walked up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and began to nuzzle her neck. “Morning, beautiful,” he said.
“Morning.”
“What did I miss?”
“Leah is getting the whole story of how we first met.”
“How exciting.”
“Yes, very.” She leaned back against him. “How was your shop?”
“We’re out of your delicious pastries. They are the biggest hit.”
As part of their getting married and coming together, Hank had a business proposal which saw the both of them co-owning both shops, and also spending their time working together. At first, she thought it was going to be a nightmare, but the more time they spent together, the closer it brought them.
Now, ten years later, three beautiful kids, another on the way, two shops thriving. They were really happy.
“See, aren’t you glad you took a chance on me?” he asked, kissing her neck.
“I don’t know. I guess so.”
“It’s only been ten years, baby, and you’re already really happy.”
Leah, their eldest, listened to Auntie Becks tell her story. Drake, their son, was listening to music, and Cora, their youngest, sat eating one of the chocolate cakes she loved so much.
Putting her hand over Hank’s, she smiled. Yes, she was the happiest woman in the world, and she wouldn’t change it for anything.
The End