Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 37200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
“It sure would have been nice if the ladders weren’t a liability. Think about all the wasted space that could have books on the top shelfs, but alas, I guess that means I’ll have to go thrifting to fill in the space.” She has a thing about not liking empty spaces. My once minimalist-style home has now changed, too. It doesn’t bother me. The place wasn’t a home; it was a house with four walls, a roof, and a view. Now it’s mine and Millicent’s.
While she’s got her eyes on the room, her back to me, I take the ring out of my pocket. It’s a platinum ring with a vintage emerald, three-quarter cut diamond. And you guessed it, I had to purchase it on a website that sold estate jewelry. She probably wouldn’t mind if it was bought brand new, but knowing how Millie, I knew she’d appreciate this more.
“Millicent.” I’m down on one knee, waiting for her to turn around, never thinking I’d ever be here. Where I was once against labels, it girlfriend, partner, or wife, the whole damn thing wasn’t appealling to me. That’s changed. I changed. It was time, and I knew in order to save myself, it was me who had to put in the work.
“Ezra.” She spins around, exasperated, my voice pulling her out of what I’m sure is a daydream of how she’ll pull everything together. Until she sees me.
“Millie, there’s nothing I want more in my life than for you to be my wife. Marry me?” I watch as she stands there, frozen in place, hands covering her mouth, tears spilling down her cheeks. Unable to stand it any longer, I’m off my bended knee and on my feet.
“I’m going to need your words, sunshine. Tell me you want this as much as I do.” I walk us until her back is against the shelf. My hand reaches for hers, sliding the ring on as she nods her answer.
“Yes, Ezra, yes.” I brush my mouth over the ring I’ve just placed on her left hand, loving the way a symbol I picked out is now a part of her, one that she’ll never take off.
“Fuck yes. I love you, Millicent, so damn much.”
“And I love you, Ezra Hudson. I can’t wait to be your wife and for you to be my husband. I do have one question, though.” All I want is my mouth on hers, and she’s got a question.
“What’s that?”
“How long does our engagement have to be?” I smile, loving that she’s already thinking about the wedding.
“The shorter, the better. Kind of like the dress you’re wearing right now.” My hand glides up the outside of her thighs, and when I lift her up, she wraps her legs around my waist.
“Good, because I don’t want to wait long. It’s been long enough in my eyes. A small intimate wedding, close friends and family only?” Millicent should know I’d give her the fucking world if she wanted it.
“Sounds good to me. Eloping to Vegas would be even better. How about this weekend?” I don’t give her time to answer. I’ll get it later, after I kiss my fiancée, that is.
Epilogue
MILLIE
One Year Later
A wedding and becoming pregnant all with the past year and a half. We had a small intimate ceremony followed by a dinner at a restaurant. Neither Ezra nor I wanted anything big or over the top. All we cared about was finally being husband and wife. The honeymoon we took more than made up for what most would call lackluster for a man who’s an owner of Four Brothers. We didn’t care. Two weeks on an island, the sun, and the sand; it was perfection while also nerve wracking. I was worried about leaving Books and Brews even though it was well established, turning more of a profit than ever with a new event weekly—sometimes, an author does a reading with a small signing in an intimidate setting, or we hold a mic night where artists share a poem or a song. They bring their fans, and our usuals come for something new, so everyone wins. That still didn’t stop me from worrying and asking Nessa and Parker if they wouldn’t mind stopping in a couple of times a week. Thankfully, they had no problem doing so, which meant Ezra and I were worry free on our honeymoon. It wasn’t until five months ago that I brought up I was ready to start trying, feeling like my biological clock was ticking. Yes, I know, it wasn’t. Early thirties is still considered young. The timing just felt right.
Now I’m three months pregnant. I have a slight bump that seemed to develop overnight, one that Ezra can’t keep his hands off of. My day at the shop ended earlier. The employees are top notch, and while we’ve had baristas come and go, my manager has it going on in all the best ways. I literally go in a few hours a day, help fill the void if necessary, do the paperwork, mingle with customers, and enjoy not having to be there every waking hour.