Kiss A Ginger Day: A steamy workplace romantic comedy

Epilogue

June 10

Alice shivered, despite Theodore’s warm hand tugging her along the sidewalk. So much for National BAE Day being sunshine and roses. It’d been gray, drizzly and miserable all weekend despite the fact that it was June.

Still, she wouldn’t let the near-constant London rain ruin their day, their first real anniversary-type date. It had to be perfect.

Her fingers found the small gray box from Clairmont Diamonds in her raincoat pocket. It held the wedding band she’d picked out for Theodore. It was a simple platinum band with their initials and a scrolled inscription inside.Over tea in the fanciest place she could find, the Lanesborough Hotel, she would propose to him.

She’d spent weeks setting it up. First, begging for a reservation on June 10—National BAE Day. She told the woman who answered the phone about how they first met and the deal they made and then broke and then made again.

The woman had laughed and told her she could sneak in two more people that day. Alice even sprung to reserve the best bottle of champagne they offered.

“We need to be in Kensington by 3 pm,” she’d told Theodore that morning. “It’s a surprise.”

“That’s perfect,” he’d said. “I have a surprise for you, too. But, first let’s take a walk.”

Ah, Londoners’ favorite pastime, she’d learned. They walked everywhere. But a team of wild horses had taken up residence in her belly, so a stroll did sound good to calm some of those beasts down a bit. She tended to blurt things out when nervous, and she was determined to keep everything secret until the big moment.

She had today all planned.

After they sat down to high tea, and it was poured, she’d lift her cup and propose a toast.

Her whole speech had been written and rewritten and she finally settled on something simple. “You’re the best man I’ve ever met. And I want us to be together forever. Would you be willing to be my husband?”

He’d then say “yes,” of course, and she’d slide the little box to him.

It was unorthodox for the woman to be asking the question and presenting him with a ring. But it felt right to her.

She’d discovered over the last few months how good Theodore was for her. How she could be both in control and spontaneous at once. It was remarkable, really.

Then there was the fact that they made an effective team in the companies they visited. True to Suzy’s word, Theodore was good at getting people to talk. Alice, on the other hand, truly had a knack for uncovering what made people unproductive.

Like the AI company in Glasgow. Everyone was so enamored with the possibilities and profits, they didn’t even think about their expenses. An unlimited budget meant an office kitchen that rivaled an Architectural Digest spread with an espresso machine, catered lunches and more. That meant people hung out for long lunches—and their workday was reduced by 17 percent. Suzy seemed to love that Alice nailed that one.

Then, there was the company in Cleveland who didn’t invest in their employees at all, including not providing parking. So everyone spent at least 6 percent of their day walking from wherever they could leave their car to the office. Or, worse, commuted by train which wasn’t even near the office. That was a 14 percent reduction in productivity.

At both companies, Theodore got to the heart of their employees’ complaints. Then Alice put numbers to it, which caused their CFOs to instantly change things.

But more than that, Theodore had proved to be fun. Weights she didn’t know she’d been living with had lifted from her shoulders by his presence. Things just went right around him.

Like the time the fire alarm kept going off all night in that terrible hotel in Nashville. Every time they went out, he led a sing-along of “Burning Down the House” by Talking Heads with the other pajama-clad guests right on the street.

Turned out he was a great cook, showing her how to make protein-rich vegetarian balls with almond butter, coconut, oatmeal and protein powder that she could stash in her purse for long meetings.

And when they were back in London, his flat was so small they kept bumping into each other which invariably led into all kinds of sexy times. She could sit on his bathroom sink and have her feet propped on the opposite wall while he pitched into her. She never wanted a too-large house again.

Theodore expertly held the umbrella over both of them as they strolled, but after another hour of aimlessly wandering, chatting about nothing, her feet were getting tired, and the rain had picked up. She kept one hand in her pocket, touching the little box as if that would keep up her courage to follow through on her plan.

“Let’s get a car,” she suggested. They had two hours before they needed to be at the Lanesborough, but they could find a coffee shop or something close by.

Theodore looked up and down the street as if seeking something. “In a minute. Let’s stretch our legs a bit.”

They’d entered a street filled with little clothing stores, coffee shops and novelty places. The sidewalks were a little crowded with so many umbrellas, and he was having trouble keeping it over them. Drops of water were dripping off her raincoat, and the ends of her hair began hanging in wet clumps. Not exactly the look she wanted to be sporting during high tea.

“Are we lost?” She almost drew out her phone, when his hand tightened his grip on her fingers.

“Not lost. Just a bit early.”

Early for what? She couldn’t enter the Lanesborough looking like a drowned cat. “Well, I’m getting soaked. Let’s stop into one of these shops.”

“Alice.” He stopped short. He swallowed hard. “We’re good together, right?”

He suddenly looked so serious. She touched his arm. “We are,” she said. “More than.”

“And despite all this rain, you’ve liked living here? With me?”

She nodded. Why was he suddenly so nervous? She was the one about to propose.

Oh, crap. Was he having second thoughts about them? About her wanting to be here?

A couple brushed past them, and his umbrella tipped, sending a stream of water to splash near her feet. She jumped a little, an automatic reaction.

“Let’s pop inside one of these shops.” She turned to step up the concrete step into a candle shop when he pulled on her raincoat. They needed to talk.

“Not that one,” he said. “Come with me.”

The rain was now coming down with force. “Theodore, I’m like a drowned rat and?—”

“Then, we should hurry.” He looped his arm in hers and pulled her along.

“But a car…” She was practically jogging alongside him now. Her heart was hammering. What was going on with him?

“Not needed. Here.” He stopped short. “I love you, Alice Crawford.”

“I love you, too.” Rain beat down on the umbrella.

“No, I need you to know. I really love you. Forever.” His face searched hers, as he pulled her closer to him. That made her feel better. Okay, he wasn’t having second thoughts.

A man jogged by, and his shoulder bumped Theodore, so his umbrella tilted again. A long stream of water cascaded down her back.

She yelped a little.

“Oy, mate,” he said to the guy, and then spun her to face one of the shops. “Let’s go in here.”

She didn’t bother to look at the large glass window to her right, just jogged up the small step and entered. A jingle went off and a plastic and nylon scent immediately hit her. As she shook water off her coat, she peered around. Blinked. What the devil?

Theodore closed the umbrella and dropped it in a stand near the door. “Surprise. Happy National BAE Day, Alice.”

“You have got to be kidding me.” Everywhere she looked were shelves and shelves of bobblehead dolls. A slight breeze was blowing through the store making them all tilt and wobble their heads a little. There had to be a fan somewhere.

At the counter in the back, a bright neon pink sign on a yellow backdrop declared the shop’s name: BobblePop. In other words, the ugliest thing she’d ever seen.

She faced him, searched his face for the hidden joke. “But it’s not National Bobblehead day, it’s…”

“Ah, you remembered.”

“You brought up a lot of days that night.” The evening they’d met. It felt like a hundred years ago, but yet like yesterday at the same time.

Theodore looked over her head and beamed a smile. “Oh, there she is.”

A short roundish woman with gray hair scooted forward. “Ah, Mr. Gaston. Here we are. Here we are.”

“Marge, thought we’d take a look around.”

The woman gave him a small smile and dipped her chin. “Of course. You know the way.”

Oh, my God. He must have been here a lot.

Alice looked up at him. His face was lit up like he won the lottery or something. He was honestly, genuinely happy to be there.

She could rally. She loved Theodore, and he clearly loved her… and bobbleheads? She would be the woman that Theodore needed at this moment. Be excited for him. Plus, the reprieve from the rain was welcomed. When they got to tea, the plan would be back on track.

She shook out the ends of her coat a little to stop the dripping, and took in a lungful of stinky air, trying not to cough. Time to channel her fun side—the one Theodore brought out in her. “Ah, so this is your hidden fetish.” She bumped her shoulder against him.

He lifted a bobblehead doll of the Queen, who held a scepter in her hand, held it up to his cheek. “She’s pretty cute.”

Alice reached for the bobblehead that she thought was Prince Philip. “Don’t separate them.”

“I’m afraid that’s happened already,” he sighed and put the Queen doll back.

Buzz kill. “How about this one?” She moved to a Taylor Swift bobblehead but didn’t pick her up. “No wait. She’s taken.” Her rain boots squeaked on the floor as they slowly walked along the aisles.

“I prefer brunettes anyway. Like this one.” He lifted a doll that Alice thought might resemble a supermodel from some magazine she’d recently seen.

“Well, if you get her, my celebrity out clause is this one.” She grabbed the Henry Cavill bobblehead doll.

He gasped. “I thought you had a thing for gingers.”

“Variety is the spice of life.” She picked up a second doll—this one clearly David Beckham by the soccer ball at his feet. “In fact, I want two.”

“Ah, cheating. That defies BAE Day.” He slapped his chest.

She placed the dolls back on the shelf. “You’ll always be my BAE. Does your photographic memory remember what you told me the first night we met?”

“Of course. That January 7 is National Bobblehead Day?”

She moved closer to him, swiping wet hair off her forehead. It was beginning to drip down the side of her neck now. “That January was your favorite month.”

He tugged her into him. “I’m now declaring my favorite is June.”

Her chest warmed. “Me, too. Let’s call a car from here. Go to tea.” She was done with the silly and wanted to move to something real. Plus, he was making her nervous. Or maybe it was all the eyes watching them as they walked among the bobbleheads.

“In a bit,” he said.

“Please?” She arched an eyebrow. “I mean, I get you love—” she waved her hand around. “—this. But my surprise awaits.”

“Yours isn’t over yet.” He leaned down and captured her lips for a quick kiss. “There’s something I want to ask you.” He knelt.

Oh no. His face was serious. He was on his knees. He’d been so nervous a few minutes ago. And it was National BAE Day. Outside this place he’d said he loved her. Forever. Was he going to…?

No. No. She couldn’t, wouldn’t, get engaged in a bobblehead store.

She was going to faint. “I need tea,” she blurted out.

“Oh, love, I’ll bring some right out for ya’ then.” Marge had been standing behind the counter but disappeared behind a curtain.

She’d meant she needed them to get to the Lanesborough where they’d do this thing properly. She hadn’t spent half a month’s salary for nothing. Not to mention enduring the upright sniffing of the clerk at Clairmont Diamonds—their unspoken message of how the hell did you get in here?—as she perused rings. How was she supposed to know she was supposed to make an appointment to spend money? She was shocked they hadn’t asked for references before crossing the threshold.

“Alice, down here.” She dropped her gaze to Theodore who was still kneeling on the floor. “The night we met was the best night of my life. Kiss a Ginger Day.”

This was happening. “Mine, too. Are you going to…”

He gasped. “Who told you?”

Oh, my. There was nothing else to do. She got on her knees, too. “I mean… I’m guessing… And I do. I love you… I would love to… but…. tea…” Gah, she was rambling.

He chuckled. “Look.” He cocked his head to the bottom shelf. There were two dolls there—one brunette and one redhead—their heads wobbling in sync. “Custom made. Theodore and Alice.”

“Oh.” She moved an envelope that was resting against the Theodore doll and picked him up. He held a calendar that read June with the 23rd circled in a heart. It was sweet. Romantic, when she really thought about it.

She looked up at Theodore, his blue eyes shining. She really did love this man. Her eyes pricked. “You’re better looking.”

“Of course, I am.” He picked up the Alice doll. “She has something for you.” She put the Theodore doll down and took the Alice version. It looked like her, standing in a red business suit—the color Theodore had declared she owned, holding a clipboard. And inside, tucked against her chest, was a ring.

Oh, my. There was no question now. He was planning to ask her to marry him.

He lifted out the ring, holding it up to her. It was a perfect solitary diamond in a platinum setting. Simple, but huge. “Alice Crawford, will you…”

He stopped when a rustling and clinking sounded behind him. “Ah, here we go. A nice cup of tea will warm you right up.” Marge sat the tea service, a small pot and two cups on a tray, on the counter edge. Her eyes got wide. “Oh. Yes. Right. Well, I’ll be in the back then.” She quickly scooted out.

Theodore returned his gaze to her, smiling. “Best laid plans.” He let his hand sink to his thigh, still holding the ring, and chuckled. Little crinkles formed around his eyes—his beautiful blue eyes that looked at her with so much love she didn’t care where she was.

Her heart burst open with something new. Gratitude. It was an odd emotion to arise, as she knelt before Theodore, her hair wet and the damp seeping into her bones, holding a bobblehead doll. But she couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. Because Theodore was there.

They’d met under the strangest circumstances. Survived a lot of secrets. She lost him. Then got him back. She got a whole new career, thanks to him. And she never, ever got sick of being with him. She was so lucky.

But so was he. That wasn’t her ego talking. It was because they truly did fit like two gears meant to move something larger than they were.

“Wait.” She set the doll down, and patted her pocket. “I was going to…” She reached in and pulled out the little box. She held it out to him. “I was going to do this over our afternoon tea, but…”

He took the box from her and stared at it. “You were?”

She nodded.

“You really did surprise me.” He looked up at her. “You surprise me every day, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.” He put it on the shelf with the bobbleheads. “Mind if I go first?”

She slowly shook her head.

He held up the ring again. “Alice Crawford, will you be my wife?”

A giggle burst out of her throat, and she nodded vigorously. “Yes, Theodore, I will.”

He slipped the ring on her finger, and she immediately stared at it. Her fingers touched the metal on either side. It was so beautiful and sparkly. It reminded her of Theodore’s eyes.

She shot her gaze up. “My turn.” She picked up the box and held it out to him. He cracked it open and grinned.

She drew in one long breath. “Theodore Gaston, the Fourth. This is me, in the bobblehead store, asking you to marry me.”

“Yes, Alice Crawford. Anywhere. Anytime. Forever.”

Her eyes pricked once more. He really was great with words. “It’s inscribed.” She pointed at the ring.

He pulled it out and held it up. “Forever Kissing This Ginger.” His eyes shone with emotion.

She quickly took it and slipped it on his finger. He then rose, pulling her up with him. “One more present.”

He bent over, picked up the large envelope that had been resting against the dolls, handing it to her. Inside was a document on stiff paper. Her hand flew to her mouth. “It’s a certificate from the National Day Archives. Theodore and Alice Day.”

She rolled her lips between her teeth, and her throat closed. “I love it,” she managed to squeak out. She did, even more than the huge diamond on her left hand.

She rose up on tiptoes and planted a big kiss on his lips.

She was aware in the distance, a light clapping ensued. Other people had entered the store? And Marge had returned.

Theodore held her tight as he looked over at the five or six people in the store. “She said yes.”

“Tea,” Marge declared. “For everyone!” Murmurs followed. She hated to disappoint them, so they’d have one cup and then they’d head out.

Theodore leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Ready to get some proper tea? We can pick up the dolls later.”

She gasped. “And leave them behind? Never.”

He let out a long laugh. “Does this mean we get to celebrate National Bobblehead Day every year now?”

“Only if you want to.”

“I’d rather celebrate our day. Forget the others. Except…”

She smiled up at him. “Kiss a Ginger Day? Every day.”

Theodore grasped Alice’s hand, holding it up to the light. “Mrs. Alice Gaston. I like the sound of that.”

She smiled at up at him. “Even better? Mrs. Alice Crawford-Gaston the first.”

“And the one and only.” He bent his head and captured his lips. “Happy BAE Day,” he said into her mouth.

“Happy Theodore and Alice Day.”

Best day ever. Even if it started in a bobblehead store.

~~~~~~