Epilogue
Brooke
Six Months Later
I sit close beside Mitch at the breakfast bar, our knees brushing as we sip our coffee. The morning sunlight streams through the windows, casting a warm glow across his handsome face. I can”t help but smile, remembering our passionate lovemaking before we managed to drag ourselves out of bed.
”I don”t know how I can ever thank you enough,” I say softly, meeting his blue eyes. ”For getting Vincent out of my life for good.”
Mitch chuckles, his hand finding mine and giving it a squeeze. ”That was more his lack of character than any amazing skills on my part.”
”Oh, I don”t know about that,” I tease, arching an eyebrow. ”I seem to recall you having some pretty amazing skills...”
He grins wolfishly. ”You got me there.”
We both laugh, the sound mingling with the clink of our mugs on the counter. Mitch”s expression grows serious and he turns to face me fully, his gaze intense.
”Brooke, I love you. I”d do anything for you. When you first showed up in my office that night, so frightened and unsure of what to do... All I wanted was to keep you safe. Even then I think I wanted to make you happy.”
Emotion swells in my chest and I blink back sudden tears. ”Mitch...”
”Move in with me,” he says abruptly. ”Officially. I know you”ve been staying at the apartment, but I want you here, with me. Always.”
I stare at him, momentarily stunned. ”Are you serious?”
”Completely.” Mitch cups my face in his large hands. ”I love you, Brooke. I want to wake up with you every morning and fall asleep with you every night. I want this, us, forever.”
Happiness bubbles up inside me and I throw my arms around his neck. ”Yes! Yes, I”ll move in with you!”
”So that part is out of the way, I want something else.” He nods and sits there for a moment.
I”m so confused. I have no idea what”s on his mind and he”s not being all that forthcoming. ”Okay, what else?”
He stands up and heads toward the bedroom and then he”s back. He was gone less than thirty seconds. When he comes back, he”s laughing and I have no idea what”s going on.
He takes a little blue box from behind his back and holds it out to me. ”The something else is that I want more than a roommate. I want more than a live-in girlfriend. Brooke, I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?”
I gasp and my hand flies to my mouth. Immediately I”m laughing and nodding. ”Yes!”
”So I hope you like the ring I picked out. Unlike me, it”s brand new.”
She doubles over in laughter and then takes the box and opens it. She gasps again. ”Oh Mitch. It”s gorgeous just like you, though.”
He kisses me deeply, pouring all his love into the embrace. I melt against him, my heart so full it could burst.
”I love you,” I murmur against his lips. ”So much.”
”I love you too, baby. Always.”
Read Simone and Trip’s Story for Free
Single Dad Hero
I like my life as a single mom, at least mostly. My son is my main focus, but I do miss dating. Some mystery and romance would be nice. But my son is my everything and I take my mom job seriously. And if I”m honest, as much as I miss having a special man in my life, I”m definitely afraid of getting my heart broken again.
When I literally run into Trip Harding at the summer school day care, I can”t get over his easy going personality and super handsome face. Our first date was a long time coming, but it turns out to be amazingly sexy.
But this thing between us got too complicated, too fast. I can”t take the heat so I have to get out of the kitchen as they say. But ignoring Trip is harder than I expected. Flashbacks to our night together make me want to end the silent treatment.
And then when I need help the most, he”s there. Maybe he”s exactly what I need and maybe he”s the one I always hoped I could count on.