Epilogue – June, the following year
ALEC
The sun beamed down on us from a clear blue sky as I pulled into a park in front of Tranquility Bay Resort.
Tally angled herself toward me, a furrow between her brows betraying her confusion. “Here?”
I turned the key to kill the engine. She’d allowed me to surprise her with this postseason getaway to Hawaii. She’d insisted on knowing our destination but had let me keep the details to myself, such as the hotel we’d be staying at.
I took her hand. “I know this place might have some bad memories for you, so if you want to leave, that’s okay, but it’s also where we got together. We shared so many of our firsts as a couple here, and I wouldn’t trade those for anything.”
Her expression softened. “This is perfect. I hardly even remember the not-so-great parts of our last stay here anymore. We never did get back to that bakery either, and I’d love to visit it again.”
We got out and unloaded our suitcases. It was summer now and much hotter than it had been during our previous stay, so a line of sweat sprang up on my forehead almost immediately. To be fair, it might not only be the heat making me sweat. The nerves weren’t helping matters.
We entered the lobby, gave our bags to a bellhop, and approached the same receptionist we’d met last time we were here.
He grinned. “Alec Wright and his beautiful lady. We’re so pleased to have you back.”
“It’s nice to be here again,” Tally replied.
He checked us in, handed us key cards, and gestured to a woman behind him, who stepped forward with a tray of fruity cocktails and passed us one each. Tally glanced at me, one of her eyebrows floating up.
I sipped my drink, acting like it wasn’t a big deal.
The cocktail wasn’t my usual preference but it was nice enough.
Tally smiled as she tried hers, her shoulders relaxing a little more.
She seemed to get more into the spirit of our summer vacation with each mile that separated us from everyday life.
I gestured toward the rear door that led through to the resort. “Let’s walk by the water. They’ll take our bags to our room so there’s no rush for us to be there.”
“That sounds nice.”
We wandered through the resort together, taking the paths between the pools and areas of greenery until we reached the waterfront restaurant where we’d shared our first kiss last year.
Acoustic guitar music played from a hidden speaker and a lone table sat in the center of the open-walled area with the thatched roof. Two glasses of champagne sat in front of chairs on opposite sides of the table, and a platter of handcrafted specialty chocolates occupied the center.
Tally faltered. “What’s this?”
I dropped to one knee and her eyes widened even further. I reached into my pocket and withdrew the small square box I’d spent the entire duration of our flight fondling.
I popped the lid open to reveal a white gold engagement ring with three princess cut diamonds set into a flat band on the top of the ring.
I’d chosen this ring knowing that anything too unwieldy would impede her job, since she worked with her hands a lot.
Hopefully, she’d be able to wear this one during the workday.
My heart beat against my ribcage and my mouth was dry. Even though it must be obvious what I was doing considering the whole ring and on-bended-knee thing, it was a struggle to find the right words.
“I love you, Tallulah Dufresne.” I held her gaze, my stomach knotted even as my chest overflowed with warmth and affection. “You mean everything to me. You’re my best friend, my favorite person to spend time with, and the most wonderful woman I’ve ever had the honor to know. Will you marry me?”
Love shone in her eyes as she stared at me, her fingertips pressed to her lips.
“Yes,” she breathed. “I would love to.”
“Give me your hand.”
She offered me her left hand and I slipped the ring into place. A perfect fit.
Just like us.
I stood and swept her into a kiss, bending her over my arm and loving the way her curves molded against the planes of my body. Soft meeting hard. Gruff meeting sweet. So different, and yet so right for each other.
I straightened, easing her back to her feet. “I can’t wait for you to be my wife.”
A smile lit her face. “Let’s have a Hawaiian wedding!”
“By the beach, with only our closest friends and family?” I asked.
“It’s like you read my mind.”
I laughed. “That’s what years of friendship will do.”
She interlinked her fingers with mine and we walked toward the table together, the sun streaming down, heating my shoulders. I held out her chair and kissed her cheek before releasing her and sitting opposite.
I was so lucky to have her, and I intended to make sure she knew it every day for the rest of our lives.
“Love you, cocobug.”
THE END