That One Summer: A Collection of Steamy Contemporary Romance

Epilogue

Four months later

Aneka

December brought with it a chill in the air and the promise of new beginnings even with the trees bending their empty branches over the lake.

“It’s getting icy out,” Caleb said.

He wrapped me in his arms from behind, adding to the warmth from the crackling fire in our living room fireplace. The blaze and the twinkling lights on the massive, fragrant pine in the corner cast a cozy glow. It had taken me a couple of months to get used to seeing the Bliss mansion as home, but days like this helped.

My parents came over with Naomi and Jeremy, in town for winter break, for Christmas Eve dinner. The twins decided to stay with their grandparents on this trip. I worried they weren’t okay with Caleb, but Naomi set me straight.

“I like him. You just like him a little too much. I’m happy for you, but it’s also kind of gross,” she informed me. “So much groping and kissing.”

I’d wrinkled up my nose at her. “He hasn’t groped me.”

In front of anyone, anyway. My daughter rolled her eyes, which might be her favorite sport.

Dad still made the occasional comment about Caleb and me “living in sin,” but I considered it progress that he’d shifted to pushing for us to get married. Despite their history, he and Caleb actually got along. Mostly.

I tugged Caleb’s arms tighter around me and leaned back into the solidness of his chest.

“At least they got on the road before it started falling. We may be iced in tomorrow,” I said.

“I hope we survive. Did you buy enough food?” he asked with a chuckle.

He’d done nothing but tease me for days about how many items I bought at the grocery store, but the house had become holiday central with my family and his friends dropping by each night for cocktails and games and Natalie’s stunning array of Christmas treats, including her seasonal honey buns made with cardamom and diced apples.

“Cooking for a crowd requires resources,” I replied and swatted his shoulder with the back of my hand. “And I’ll bet you’re glad now that we’re likely stuck for a day or two.”

“I’m hoping for two.”

He nuzzled my neck, and his attentions nearly distracted me. I checked my watch.

“It’s almost midnight. Can I open my gift now?”

When we sent everyone away for the night, Caleb made them promise to wait until Christmas morning. The weather might keep us from opening presents together, but we agreed to have at least that bit of holiday solidarity.

“It’s not almost midnight. It’s 11:15,” he corrected.

“We’re adults. If we want to open our presents early, that’s allowed.”

He sighed and released me from his tight hug. I eyed the large, blue and silver box underneath the tree with my name on it. The suspense had me holding it, shaking it, and sizing it up for the past three days since Caleb put it there.

“You won’t figure it what it is,” he taunted again. “Because that’s not your present. I have it right here.”

Caleb reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box. My breath caught as he dropped to one knee. Lifting the lid, he revealed a sparkling diamond ring reflecting the golden light in the room.

“You are the love of my life. I’ve spent a lifetime searching for someone like you. Someone who makes me feel like you do. For someone as brave and smart as you. The minute you came back to Bliss, I knew all of that was a waste because there will never be anyone for me but you. Will you marry me?”

The volume of tears springing to my eyes was a shock, only because his question made me so happy. I wiped them away with the edge of my sweater and looked at the man I knew was meant for me as much as I was meant for him. I fell to my knees and threw my arms around his neck.

“Yes.”

We kissed right there on the floor. The world melted away. Caleb cupped my face, his thumb gently caressing my cheek as he deepened the kiss. The intensity of our connection threatened to consume us both, but just as things were heating up, he pulled back with a playful grin.

“As much as I’d love to keep going, my cranky old football knees are begging for mercy,” he joked.

I laughed, the sound echoing through the room. “So old. I better rethink my answer.”

“Not old. Gently aging. Like that fruitcake you have in the fridge.” He snorted. “Who the hell is going to eat that?”

“I will. I like fruitcake.”

His chuckles turned to a cackle. “You are definitely a rare breed.”

We stood up, our hands still intertwined. Caleb leaned in for another kiss. This one was softer, more tender, a promise of the future we would build together.

His expression turned sheepish. “I thought about doing a more public proposal with everyone here, but in the end, I wanted it to be intimate. You and me.”

“Good decision. We’ve had enough spectacle.”

I kissed him again. Hard.

“Mmm. You did good.”

When I spotted the sign at the city limits a few months ago, I didn’t imagine this much happiness was waiting for me. Our whirlwind second chance was my happily ever after, and I couldn’t ask for anything more perfect.