Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 91755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Predictably, Rourke’s face softened when I mentioned his boyfriend’s name. “Tyler Nosen is everything that is good and beautiful in this world.”
I made a gagging sound. “And you’re calling me cheesy. Right.”
“We’re back,” Ty said in an overly loud voice to make sure I heard them coming. His eyes were wide with a What can you do? expression. Teo jogged next to him to try and keep up with Ty’s longer stride.
I blew out a sigh of relief. For a minute, I thought he was going to miss the damned thing entirely.
“Sorry about the detour,” Tee said, reaching for my hand. “I shouldn’t have had the second iced coffee.”
I leaned in and kissed him on the lips, trying to hide my nerves. “Will you walk with me closer to the shore?”
“Of course.” He let me lead him away from the blankets and camp chairs we’d set up on the grass. “You never told me how the blackjack went. All you did was ask if you could take cash out of the checking account for gambling, but then I never heard if you won or lost. You got in so late last night, I forgot to ask.”
I’d flown some women to Vegas for a bachelorette trip for the third time already this summer. One more trip like that and I was going to take Rourke up on his offer to be his exclusive pilot once and for all.
“I didn’t end up going. I just had my usual tikka masala and called it a night. I would have called, but that was the night you had the compliance auditors there during your shift.”
“Yeah, it was fine. Passed with flying colors. Trinity gave me an extra day off next week to make up for it.”
I kept my eyes peeled to the south after I felt the buzz of my phone in my pocket. Sure enough, there he was.
“Hey,” I said, pointing. “What’s that?”
Teo squinted where I was pointing and then looked at me like I was an idiot. “It’s a plane, Einstein.” He leaned down to pick something up from the ground. I needed his eyes up, not on a fucking special-shaped rock.
“Yeah, but… it looks like one of Kirk’s planes.”
He stood back up and squinted again as the colorful plane drew closer. “If one of his guys is screwing around while Kirk is out of town, he’s going to kick their ass.”
Once the plane was easily visible, the banner behind it became clearer.
“What the…” Tee stepped closer to the shore. The plane buzzed by, low enough to show off its cargo.
Teodor Parisi will you marry me?
I watched his jaw drop as he processed the banner’s message. My sister’s muffled laughter came up behind us along with the gasps and shouts from our friends who were gathered together for the outing. When he finally turned to look at me, I was on one knee with the ring box flipped open.
I spoke softly enough that only he could hear me. I knew Chelsea was somewhere nearby, recording it all on her phone, but this part was just for the two of us.
“Wanted: one lifetime of lovemaking with plenty of talking. I promise to hold you and love on you with plenty of chitchat and loads of expectations. I prefer to switch things up in the bedroom and would desperately like to take care of you and treat you like you’re the most important thing in my world—because you are—at least for the next fifty plus years. Please let me stay forever and hold you; I promise not to be gone in the morning. Willing to exchange last name only.”
As I recited the heavily edited want ad, Teo’s eyes filled and overflowed. His hands were clapped over his mouth, and the tears made his striking eyes even brighter. He was breathtaking, as usual.
He dropped to his knees and threw his arms around my neck. “Of course I’ll marry you, you idiot. I love you.”
I wrapped my arms around his back and stood, picking him up until he wrapped his legs around my waist.
“I love you so much, Tee,” I whispered against the side of his face. “You make me ridiculously happy.”
I glanced up at movement out of the corner of my eye. Chris had arrived fashionably late with his latest temporary girlfriend on his arm. Typical. At least he hadn’t let Teo down. As much as I thought Chris was a selfish asshole, he was still one of Teo’s good friends. Both of us had talked at length about how we felt sorry for him and wondered if he’d ever stop dicking around and settle down with someone. I thought probably not. The guy seemed to appreciate his playboy lifestyle, and that was fine.
I, on the other hand, appreciated having a home and a partner to return to after every trip. Teo had decorated our new house with color and comfort. I loved it so much. Every time I walked home from the station and entered our little yard, I grinned like a fool. Tee had overflowing pots of flowers on the front porch now that it was summer, and there were tomato and herb plants almost covering our entire, albeit tiny, back deck. Most of the deck had been overtaken by the “cat palace” I’d built to give Waffles and Socrates some “outside time.” Who said I didn’t have a love language?