Epilogue
Natalie
Tip #33: Remember to return to where it all started.
“ B efore we move on to our next agenda item,” I began, “once again I’d like to extend our sincerest thanks to Samuel Warner for Warner Print’s generous donation to our organization this spring quarter.”
I shuffled my papers, then rested my hands on top of the table before looking around at the handful of members of the Friends of the Library who had come to this month’s meeting. My fellow members looked from me down the table to Samuel.
“Thank you, Natalie.” Samuel leaned forward in his chair and gave me a smoldering smile. “As always, Warner Print is happy to support Fox Creek’s public library.”
I nodded and waited for Samuel to continue on and share where Warner Print wanted the money spent.
Samuel said nothing. He just kept smiling at me.
I shifted uneasily in my seat. “Samuel?”
“Yes, darling?”
I mashed my lips together and refrained from telling Samuel not to use pet names, because that was exactly what he wanted me to do. “Don’t you remember?”
“Remember what?” Samuel asked.
“Warner Print is welcome to specify how they’d like us to use the funds,” I said.
Samuel’s eyebrows rose and he feigned surprise. “Right! I completely forgot about that part. Silly me!” His gray eyes twinkled as his flirty smile morphed into a smirk.
I yanked a stapled packet from a file folder I’d brought with me. “I am going to kill you.”
“But baby doll, honey, light of my life, don’t you want to spend extra time advising me how to spend the money?” Samuel asked.
I flung the packet of papers in his direction, and Samuel let them hit him in the face.
“Ow,” he said.
“Sam.” I stood up and planted my hands on the scratched table. “I swear on Warner Print that if you make this meeting go any later , I’m going to tell Estelle you asked to do the next round of wedding venue tours with her!”
One of the members whistled in admiration, and I heard more than one murmur about my dirty fighting tactics.
“You really want this meeting to end, huh?” Samuel said.
I stared at him. “Don’t you?”
“No,” Samuel said. “Because I’m not all that interested in sharing you for the rest of the evening.”
“For cryin’ out loud.” Marjorie rolled her eyes. “I know you’re terrible with romance, Warner, but this takes the cake. If this is how you’re going to proceed with your flirting, I suggest you wait until after you marry her, or she might rethink your engagement!”
Samuel idly tapped the packet of papers I’d flung at him. “Are you saying that to give me genuine advice, or are you saying that because you’re also going to our engagement party after this meeting and you know Grandma Mann is running a bingo tournament?”
“Both,” Marjorie said.
I massaged my forehead. “I’m a sucker for punishment. That’s the only explanation.”
Samuel stood up and made his way down to my end of the table. “Sorry, Nat. I couldn’t help razzing you one last time.” He kissed me on the right temple. “Warner Print would like the money to go to the roof replacement fund. Hopefully by the time of the next meeting, you’ll be a Warner so you can represent Warner Print.” He took my left hand and held it out so the Friends of the Library members could admire his grandmother’s diamond-and-emerald ring on my finger.
“That’s not happening,” I dryly said. “Not only would it be a conflict of interest, but we have monthly meetings, and we aren’t getting married until fall!”
Samuel sighed. “I can always hope that you’ll fall victim to my pleading, can’t I?” He leaned over and kissed me full on the lips in a heart-pounding moment that felt so good it made my toes curl in my shoes.
Propriety said I should pull back and end the kiss as we were in public, so it was a good thing I was a Mann, as we have no shame!
Samuel started to pull back, and I found myself chasing his lips, reluctant to let the moment end. The meeting room faded away, and all I could focus on were the feelings of his hand on my waist and his lips against mine.
Just months ago, the idea of Samuel Warner kissing me in public would have been laughable. Now, it felt as natural as breathing. We’d changed from enemies—well, I had thought we were enemies—to reluctant coconspirators in a fake relationship, to being in love and engaged.
“Natalie Mann,” Marjorie said, her voice dripping with disgust. “I demand you stop making out with your fiancé and end this meeting now! Rumor has it Estelle Warner is providing some wine for the bingo tournament, and I won’t miss it just because you two have a decade of PDAs to get caught up on!”
I laughed against Samuel’s mouth before I finally pushed him away. “OK, OK. We’ll save it for the party.”
Samuel sighed. “I suppose I can wait that long,” he announced to the room before again leaning into my space and whispering in my ear. “I love you, Natalie Mann.”
When he started to pull away I grabbed him by the lapels of his suit coat. “And I love you, Samuel Warner.”
Samuel stared at me with smoldering eyes, and I awkwardly cleared my throat before reluctantly turning my attention back to the meeting. “OK. The last item on our agenda: picking a date for the summer book sale!”