Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 92140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“What?”
“That home didn’t even feel like home anymore. Home to me now is wherever you are, and no matter where I go, I will always make my way back to you. I want to show you something.” He let me go and slipped out of his coat, tossing it onto the velvet settee behind me.
I watched him unbutton the cuff of his black shirt and roll it up, sucking in my breath at the new ink on his inner forearm. “You got a new tattoo!”
“It’s a compass rose,” he said. “A navigational tool for sailors, but also a symbol of discovery.”
I studied the beautifully rendered design, the skin still tender and pink around it. “I love it,” I whispered.
“I got it for you.” His voice was quiet but firm. “You’re my north, south, east, and west, Millie Rose. You ground me, you guide me, you inspire me. And I’m madly in love with you.”
The tears were flowing freely now, but I didn’t even care. I threw my arms around his neck and buried my face in his chest, blubbering like a baby. “I love you too,” I sobbed. “I’m so happy.”
“Are you sure?” He chuckled as he stroked my back. “This is a lot of crying for ‘happy.’”
“Yes, I’m sure.” It took me a minute or two to stop, but eventually I let go of him and hurried into the bathroom so I could blow my nose and clean up my face.
When I came out, he was looking around. “The shop is beautiful, Millie. I’m in awe of what you’ve done.”
“Thanks,” I said. “I’m really excited, but also nervous. I open in just two days. I’ve got appointments already!”
He smiled as he took me in his arms again. “Don’t be nervous. You’ve got this. Tell me what I can do to help you. I’m all yours.”
I tipped my head back and looked up at him. “What I could really use is a distraction. Got a date for New Year’s Eve?”
He lowered his lips to mine. “I do now.”
I’d been invited to a party at my Aunt April and Uncle Tyler’s house, but we decided to skip it and have a night in. I sent a quick text to my sisters saying I wouldn’t be there but I was fine, better than ever actually, and I’d explain in the morning. I wished them both a Happy New Year and said I was positive this was going to be the best year ever for all the MacAllister girls.
Audrey and Emmeline would graduate from high school. Winnie and Dex were getting married this summer. Hutton and Felicity were building a gorgeous new house. And me? I smiled as I headed for home, Zach’s headlights in my rearview mirror.
I’d found love—the greatest plot twist life has to offer.
We stopped on the way home and picked up some groceries and champagne, planning on making dinner and ringing in the new year with a cozy indoor picnic for two in front of the fireplace. But as soon as Zach got the fire burning, he came into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around me from behind, kissing my neck.
“I can’t use a knife if you’re going to do that,” I said, giggling as I tipped my head to one side.
“Then put down the knife.” He took it from my hand and set it on the counter.
“Aren’t you hungry?” I asked as he led me into the living room, where he’d spread out a blanket in front of the fireplace. The curtains were closed, the fire was crackling, and the only lights came from the tree we’d decorated together.
“I’m starving,” he said, lifting my sweatshirt over my head. “But only for you.”
We undressed each other quickly and tumbled onto the floor, where we made up for lost time, luxuriated in the moment, and let dreams of the future enrapture us. When he was buried deep inside me, his skin golden in the firelight, I reached up and touched the silver in his hair, the edge of his jaw, the back of his neck. “I love you,” I whispered as he moved above me. “You’re all I’ve ever wanted.”
“I love you too.” He pressed his lips to mine. “You’re all I’ll ever need.”
EPILOGUE
MARCH
MILLIE
“SHOOT!”
Winnie stopped her dramatic strutting on the rented catwalk and looked over at me. “What’s wrong?”
I stared at my cell phone in dismay. “Olivia, one of the models, just had to drop out. Her dad had some kind of health emergency, and she has to fly to Houston right away.”
“Oh no!” Winnie carefully hopped down from the three-foot-high runway that bisected the room full of tables for ten, all of which were sold out for this afternoon’s show.
“He’s going to be okay, but I’m down a model, and I can’t get ahold of the agency to find a replacement.” I set my phone on a table and rubbed my temples. “What am I going to do? It’s nine already, and the show starts at two!”