Epilogue
October, three months later
“I don’t understand why you want me to go look at something I can’t afford,” I say to Molly as she drags me toward a little white brick building not far from Coastal Coffee.
I came by for a coffee during a break from work, and she bombarded me, saying I had to come see this new building that opened up down the street. Since I have an email alert set for commercial real estate in Coastal Cove, I already knew about it. It came on the market a few days ago. But I have at least a year of saving before I can afford a place like that.
“Haven’t you ever gone to an open house for a home you know you’re never going to buy?” she asks me.
I scrunch my nose up. “No, that’s weird. Have you done that?”
“Not relevant.”
“You just brought it–”
“Anyway, I’m taking you to look at it because you never know, you might be ready to buy it sooner than you think.”
“Did you buy lottery tickets again? I swear every time you buy those you act extra weird.”
“I do not. And no, I didn’t. I just think this building is cute and that you’d like it.”
“It doesn’t matter if I like it. I can’t afford it. If it’s still here in a few months, I’ll look at it then.”
“You can look at it now and then in a few months if it’s still here you’ll know you want it.”
We come to a stop outside of the carved oak doors. It really is a beautiful building. It used to be an accounting office, but they recently moved to Cape Alamanda to expand their clientele.
Molly starts to fluff my hair for me. I pull my head back and raise my brows.
“Um, what are you doing?”
“Oh, just making sure you look professional.”
“I’m in a sundress and sandals,” I say flatly. “I don’t think my hair is the problem here.”
“You look great! Let’s go in.”
“Why are you acting so strange?” I ask her as she opens up one of the large doors.
I step inside and gasp. The entire space is covered in flowers of various kinds and colors. It feels as though we’ve stepped into a botanical garden instead of an accounting firm. And there in the very center of the blooms, is Miles.
I slowly make my way to him. There’s a small path just big enough for me to walk to the opening he’s standing in. My heart picks up speed in my chest. By the time I reach him I can hear the rapid beat in my ears.
He takes my hands in his and even though I’m nervous, I feel safe with him. These past few months have proven that Miles loves me in the way I’ve always hoped to be loved. The way that I watched my sister be loved. The way that Diane and Paulie love each other. And my parents too. A love that isn’t just all-consuming passion, but also dedication and thoughtfulness. One that puts the other person first because they care about their needs over their own. That’s the way Miles loves me. And the way I love him.
“Is this what I think it is?” I whisper and he smiles, squeezing my hands.
“I guess you’ll have to wait and see.”
He steps back and lowers himself to one knee while still holding my hands. My eyes start to water at the sight of him like this. When I first started to fall for him I worried that I’d never have this with him. I’m so glad I was wrong.
“I love you, Red. I fell in love with you a little over three months ago and I haven’t stopped falling. Every day I fall more in love with you than the last. I tell myself there’s no possible way that I can love her any more than I do in this moment, and then I see you smile and I prove myself wrong.”
I try to blink back my tears, but it’s no use. I just have to hope my mascara holds up under all my emotions.
“You’re kind, sexy, thoughtful, intelligent, and ambitious. Your smile brightens my entire world and if you’ll let me, I want to spend my entire life basking in the glow of it.” He lets go of my hands to pull a ring box out of his pocket. “Ellie Hart, will you marry me?” The box opens to reveal a stunning pear-shaped diamond set into a gold band.
“Yes,” I whisper, nodding as tears stream freely down my face. He slides the ring on my finger before shooting up to his feet and wrapping me in a hug.
His mouth presses against mine in a fierce kiss. The kind that says til death do us part. I kiss him back, proclaiming forever with each brush of my lips. When Miles pulls away I’m breathless and sure that my lips are swollen.
“We’re engaged,” I say with a little laugh.
He grins down at me in the boyish way I love. “We are.”
I look down at my ring. It catches the light coming through the windows, casting rainbows on the nearby surfaces.
“Do you like it?” he asks, trepidation in his voice.
“It’s beautiful, Miles. I love it.” I kiss him again. He pushes his hands into my hair and deepens the kiss. I hum low in my throat, arching into him. Suddenly, he pulls back.
“And this place?” he asks against my lips.
“Do you mean the flowers? They’re lovely. You couldn’t have planned any better.” I tug on his shirt to pull him to me again, but he resists. I let out an impatient whine, and he chuckles in response.
“I mean the building. Do you like it?”
I look around, then back at him, not sure what he means.
“Why are you asking me about buildings when I’m trying to kiss you?”
He tucks a stray curl behind my ear, pure affection in his gaze. “Because this is your engagement gift.”
Realization sets in. I slowly shake my head. “Miles, tell me you didn’t buy this place.”
“I could tell you that, but I’d be lying. And I don’t think lying is the best foundation for marriage.” A boyish grin stretches his lips.
“This is too much. You can’t buy me a diamond ring and a whole building!”
“Says who?”
I shoot him a look. “Miles.”
“Red,” he replies, his tone playful but soft. “Please don’t tell me you’re going to deny me the pleasure of spoiling you when I’ve been looking forward to it for some time now.”
“You already spoil me plenty.”
“The fact that you think that means I should spoil you more.”
I bite my cheek to stifle a smile. “You shouldn’t have done this.”
“I already did. No going back now.”
“What if I would have said no?”
“I wouldn’t have asked if I’d thought there was even the smallest chance of that.”
“You’re very cocky, you know that?”
“Only when it comes to things I’m sure of. And I’m sure that we love each other. That we belong together.” He tips my chin up and looks meaningfully into my eyes. “I’m sure of you. You’ve been taking care of everyone else and working hard for years now. It’s time for you to chase after your own dreams.”
My tears start back up again, and Miles kisses them away. It feels surreal to have my dream actually within reach. I have the funds to front all the start up costs, and enough savings to pay for utilities until I start making money. It was just the building that was slowing me down. And now I have a space in the perfect location in my favorite place on earth.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“That’s okay, because in a second there’s going to be a whole lot of people who will have plenty to say for you.”
My brows scrunch together. He just gives me a secretive smile and leads me through the back door out onto a little patio area…that’s packed full of all my closest family and friends.
“Congratulations!” They all cheer in unison, and then the hug parade begins, starting with my parents who Miles must have flown in. As I accept hugs and sweet words from my loved ones, I can’t stop smiling and the tears keep coming too.
For once in my life, my heart is on my sleeve and I don’t mind it. I hope everyone can tell how in love and happy I am. I’m overwhelmed in the very best way and I don’t care who knows it. When Miles pulls me in for a kiss that causes everyone to whoop and whistle, I don’t pull away. I wrap my arms around him and kiss him right back.
I take note of everything. The salty wind in my hair, the sun on my skin, the sound of my friends and family, Miles’ soft lips on mine, his strong hands holding me up. I commit it all to memory and hope that this moment is branded on my mind and heart forever.
Fifty years from now when I’m an old woman feeding the seagulls on the beach, I want to remember the day I got engaged to the love of my life. The man who pushes my buttons and pushes me to do great things. The one who loves me more than anything–including his career–and shows me that I come first every day. The one I love with every fiber of my being.
Miles pulls back, smiling against my lips. “I love you, Red.”
“I love you more.”
“Impossible.”
Keep reading for a glimpse into Miles’ friend Jason’s story!
Jason Kingsley
Miles: She said yes!!!
I smile down at the text and attached photo of Miles and Ellie as I walk through the hall of the practice facility. Good for them. They’re perfect for each other, and after hearing Miles bash the idea of marriage for years, it’s nice to see him growing and changing.
I’m typing out my response when I run into something and my phone slips out of my hand, clattering to the floor with another identical one.
“I’m so sorry–” Willow’s apology cuts off when her dove gray eyes meet mine. She doesn’t say anything more, but the way her eyes narrow makes me think she’s taking back her apology in her head.
“Sorry,” I say as I bend down to grab both of our phones. “I should have been paying more attention.”
“It’s fine,” she replies.
I thought by now she’d warm up to me, but it hasn’t happened yet. I found out that she loves watermelon Twizzlers, so per Miles” advice I started buying packs for her and putting funny notes on them before hiding the packages in places I know she’ll find them. I’ve never seen her reaction to finding one, but my guess is she’s as unamused as she is now.
The nicest thing she’s said to me is the quiet thank you she gives me after each time she finds the Twizzlers. I’ve thought about stopping, but it’s become pretty fun for me to come up with what to write on the notes. And I might have a bulk box of watermelon Twizzlers sitting at my house. So it’s either give them to her, or start handing them out to everyone I know. I tried them myself when I first started this whole thing, and I think they’re disgusting. They taste like straight chemicals. And that’s coming from a guy who went through an energy drink phase in high school.
Willow takes one of the phones out of my hand before I can see which one belongs to me. I flip the other one over. The screen lights up to reveal a lock screen background. It’s pink with the words one day at a time in a font that reminds me of the 70s.
“I think you took the wrong one,” I say, holding her phone out to her. “I do like your lock screen though.”
“Oh, sorry I should have checked.” This time, she said sorry on purpose. Maybe the Twizzlers are working?
She hands my phone back to me, the screen still showing the photo of Miles and Ellie grinning, Ellie’s hand taking up half the frame as she shows off her ring.
“My friends got engaged,” I explain, holding up my screen toward her. “I was responding to them when I ran into you.”
“I’m surprised you have time for friends, what with all those hours you spend admiring yourself in the mirror.” And here we go. There’s the Willow I know. Comparing me to Narcissus is her favorite pastime.
“It’s difficult,” I say, morphing my expression into something somber and pious. “But I feel like it’s my duty to gift people with my presence.”
“You’re ridiculous,” she says and starts to walk around me.
“It was good to see you too,” I say over my shoulder.
If I had the energy, I might poke at her a little more. It’s too fun getting her worked up. But after a long practice, I just want to go home. To my empty house out in the country.
I sigh and look down at my phone again. Not for the first time, jealousy flares in my chest. Two of my closest friends are getting married now. Meanwhile I spend my days playing football and writing notes to a woman who hates me for reasons I cannot ascertain.
I’ll just have to stay positive and take things like Willow’s screensaver said: one day at a time.
Preorder Jason’s book, The Run Option, a marriage of convenience football romcom today!