Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Shelley leans back in her seat and regards me.
I continue, “I watch your channel, and you don’t have a show like mine. Your demographics indicate that your viewers would be open to this kind of content.” I rattle off the statistics I found and the research I did, pushing across a manila folder to her.
She opens it and reviews the presentation. She nods. “I’ll have to fight to get approval, but if I can, then we have a deal.”
I give her a big smile. Inside, I’m turning cartwheels. “I look forward to hearing from you.”
She nods, and we enjoy a quiet meal together, spending the rest of our time chatting about my hometown.
After our food, I take her on a tour of Main Street. She pulls out her cell phone several times to record footage. When it’s time for her to leave, she tucks her phone in her bag and gives me an encouraging smile. “I’ll see what I can do with the big man. But I can’t make promises, so we’re going to hold our breath.”
I thank her again, feeling a lightness in my heart. Even if the opportunity passes me by, there will be plenty more. I believe that good things are coming for me.
As soon as she’s gone, I drive to Ace’s cabin.
He opens the door, and I fling myself into his arms. Excitedly, I start babbling on about my meeting with Shelley. “I think it was a success and it’s all because of you. Because of the long hours of practice together.”
I lean up on my tiptoes to kiss him deeply, only stopping when I hear a throat clearing. I pull away from him and glance over his shoulder to see my dad there.
My cheeks heat. “What are you doing here?”
Since he found out about me and Ace, we’ve had our usual weekly dinners. The only difference is that Ace is there now, and he holds my hand. I love the way he’s not afraid to show me affection in front of my father, not worried about what he thinks.
“I’m here to celebrate your big break. I heard we have the next TV star living right here,” Dad answers.
At our last dinner, I mentioned the interview was coming up, but I didn’t say when. Ace must have told him.
I chuckle. “It’ll still take some time, and it’s not a done deal yet. We’re waiting now.”
Ace puts his arm around me and pulls me close. He kisses my forehead. “I’m still so proud of you.”
I beam up at him, thankful to see that he and my dad are hanging out again.
The three of us enjoy burgers on the back deck before Dad leaves. I watch him go. “I hope one day he finds a sweet girl. He deserves that.”
Ace gazes down at me. “He’s not the only one that deserves all the love in the world.”
Then, before I even know what’s happening, he drops to one knee and pulls a ring box from his pocket. He opens it to reveal a beautiful sapphire ring surrounded by diamonds. The jewels sparkle in the evening light. “You’re proposing to me.”
He gives me a wry grin. “More like making you aware of my plans. Because sweetheart, I plan to make you my wife and spend the rest of my life loving you.”
He slips the ring on my finger and stands, pulling me into his arms.
“I love you too,” I promise, my heart overflowing with love and gratitude for this man and all the amazing things he has brought into my life.
15
ACE
“You’re not supposed to see the bride before her wedding,” Mackenzie hisses like this is going to stop me. “It’s bad luck.”
“Good thing I don’t believe in luck,” I tell her as I prowl into my bathroom. She’s out of the shower, towel wrapped around her curvy body. Her skin is flushed and pink.
She wanted to spend last night apart to make our wedding romantic. I allowed it but under the rule that we would both be in my cabin. I may have slept in a different bedroom, but I had to know she was under my roof.
“All of our friends and family will be here soon,” she says as I stalk toward her, backing her up against the bathroom door.
It’s been a month since I proposed to her. I gave her four weeks to get the wedding preparations together. Rogue wasn’t happy about that, but Mackenzie was more than ready to tie the knot. She suggested eloping to Vegas. I vetoed that idea quickly. Rogue deserves the opportunity to walk his daughter down the aisle.
I flip the lock. “It’s a good thing the door locks then.” The smile I give her is predatory, and she swallows hard.
I put a hand on her chin. “I can’t have you walking down the aisle in front of all these men without knowing that my come is dripping from your sweet little thighs.”