Chapter 28
EMERY
“Do you think he’ll like it?” I ask, handing a roll of streamers to Marie.
“Yes,” she huffs with a slight head tilt. “Then again, I’m pretty sure he would’ve been happy with a strip tease and a bucket of chicken.”
“That’s a good back-up plan,” I smile, taking a step back to admire the Rustic Inn in all its glory.
After Knox told me about getting the loan for his shop, I wanted to do something special.
So, I decided a surprise congratulatory party would be perfect.
I wasn’t even sure if he liked surprise parties, but it was the only way to celebrate a guy who hated being praised for anything.
Sure, he likes to joke, but when it comes to me trying to be proud of my boyfriend, he makes it impossible.
So, the jerk is getting his very own party—karaoke and all.
It still feels weird to call Knox Cooke my boyfriend even after months of pretending.
I never thought I could get out of my own way long enough to make it happen.
The last few weeks of our relationship have been an absolute whirlwind, but it’s safe to say I’ve never felt better about a decision in my life.
Don’t get me wrong—there are still some days that I want to strangle Knox, but he has a way of making me smile even when I’m having the worst day.
I feel a gush of wind graze the back of my legs. My stomach drops as I spin around quickly, only for it to settle once I see a blur of blond hair heading toward me.
“Sorry, I’m late!” Emma shouts while balancing a huge cake in her arms. “I had to drop Mi off at Colt’s, and he was throwing the biggest fit because he didn’t get to come to the party. He still can’t grasp what a bar is and why kids aren’t allowed in them.”
“That’s fine,” I smile, helping her slide the gigantic sheet cake onto the bar, “but Knox should be coming any minute, so we have to move quickly.”
“I still think what you’re doing is so incredibly sweet,” she says, patting me on the shoulder. “I can’t wait to see his face!”
I nod warmly back at Emma before she finds Henry at the corner of the room and walks over to him.
I let out a deep breath and smooth the wrinkles in my black skirt.
I don’t typically do skirts, but it’s Knox’s favorite thing in my closet, and I didn’t mind the way his eyes lit up when he saw me in it.
“I forgot to ask, how are you getting him here?” Marie questions while emptying a bottle of vodka into the punch she’s making.
“Beau is bringing him,” I say, peeking through the side window to make sure I don’t see Beau’s Jeep yet.
A grunt comes from the other side of the bar, and I raise my eyebrows. “Still not a fan?” I ask. I’ve caught her giving him a dirty look on more than one occasion.
“Nope,” Marie answers without hesitating.
“Why don’t you like him?” I ask, placing out some more cups.
She lets out a frustrated huff, causing a strand of red hair to fly out of her face. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you when you’re older.”
I narrow my eyes, leaning in closer. “No way,” I say, pointing my finger. “You’re not getting off that easily. I—”
“He’s here!” Wren yells, shuffling into a far corner of the bar. I look back at Marie, but she’s already ducked behind the bar with her tail tucked between her legs. But I would get the full story out of her sooner or later. Preferably sooner.
“Alright—everyone in position,” I order, crouching down into my own hiding spot. Butterflies fill my stomach, and my hands shake at my sides. I really hope he likes this.
The door creaks open, and the first thing I hear is Beau’s voice booming through the bar. I can feel a slight breeze from the eye roll I know Marie just did.
“Come on, Knox. It’s just one drink. You owe me after bailing last weekend.”
Knox’s low laugh follows behind him, making my skin crawl with anticipation. “You do realize it’s a Wednesday, right? Who drinks on a Wednesday? And also, I had no choice but to come. I’m pretty sure you stole my keys.”
Beau snorts. “I did no such thing. But if I did, you will get your keys back after you’ve pretended to enjoy my company for exactly one drink.”
I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing.
I peek my head around the side of the bar to make sure Knox is within range.
It takes everything in me not to pop out too early—especially when his face scrunches up as he realizes he’s walking into a pitch-black room with nothing to greet him but the faint sound coming from the jukebox in the corner.
“Beau, what the hell—”
“Surprise!” everyone shuts at once. Someone turns on the light, illuminating an entire room full of unnecessary, but fun decorations.
Knox pauses as his eyes sweep across the room.
His mouth parts slightly, taking in the colorful streamers and signs we spent the entire afternoon putting up.
Emma is bouncing excitedly next to the cake, and Wren smirks as she turns up the dial on the jukebox, filling the room with some folksy band that Knox loves.
But through all the chaos, his eyes find me, pinning me in place. I walk toward him slowly, nerves humming under my skin. “Surprise,” I say softly.
His jaw remains slack, and for a second, he’s speechless. The only thing keeping me sane is his signature playful look rippling behind his eyes. “You did all this?”
I nod, shoving my hands into my pockets and then pulling them out again. Finally, I just let them hang awkwardly at my sides. “Yes—umm I mean, no. Marie helped me decorate and Emma got the cake. Blake and Wren helped us reserve the bar. But yeah, I guess it was technically my idea.”
Knox’s eyes linger on me, making me take a step back. Before I can go too far, he closes the distance between us, grabbing my hips and pulling me into his body. I melt into him like it’s a new reflex I recently uncovered.
“That’s incredibly sweet of you, Bambi,” he says low enough so that only I can hear.
“It’s nothing,” I scoff, fighting a smile.
He lets out a small chuckle, squeezing my hips.
“Thank you,” he whispers, planting his lips firmly on mine.
The feeling of his mouth against mine still causes a whirlwind of warmth to take over—one that makes me forget we’re in a room full of people.
Thankfully, Marie clearing her throat helps me remember.
I reluctantly pull away, transitioning my body to tuck neatly into his side.
“Now that the guest of honor is here,” I announce, fighting the blush creeping up the side of my neck. “Let’s party!”
A small round of cheers breaks out across the room, earning me another well-deserved side squeeze and a chaste, but somehow steamy kiss on the side of my neck.
And then Knox leans into my ear and whispers, “We might have to sneak out later. I don’t know how I’m going to control myself with you in that skirt. ”
It’s no use—the blush is in full effect now. I probably look like an overripe tomato.
“Alright, lovebirds, break it up,” Beau says, sliding between us and throwing his arms over our shoulders. “I hope the karaoke machine is warmed up because I’m ready to sing my heart out.”
“I thought you hated karaoke? In fact, you hate anything that involves you being the center of attention,” Knox observes.
“I did,” he begins, letting his eyes scan the room before settling on something across the room, “but then I realized I was depriving the world of my beautiful voice and I changed my mind.”
Knox laughs, giving Beau the side eye. “Or you think it’s fun to annoy a certain redhead.”
I look over at Marie to find her facing away from us, but judging by the tenseness of her shoulders, I can tell she’s listening.
“Can you blame me? It seemed to work for you, bro,” Beau says, slapping Knox on the back before releasing us from his hold to go grab a drink at the bar.
I quirk a brow and give Knox a questioning look, but all he does is shrug and give me a kiss on the cheek before heading into the crowd of people who are here for him tonight.
As I watch him laugh with his friends and family, he seems to glow under the neon bar lights.
Sometimes I just love watching him—whether it’s with his nephew or with a client—because he has this infectious charm about him I used to resent.
It used to be the thing I told myself I hated most about him, because I thought it was just a facade he used to lure clueless girls.
But now I know his warm and generous personality is just who he is, and it makes me love him more and more every day.
Knox holds out his hand to me, inviting me to join him as he talks with his mom and dad.
An intense feeling settles deep in my chest. One that feels too pure to ignore.
I used to want to run away from that feeling because I knew what losing it felt like, but now I don’t feel that impending fear anymore.
I don’t flinch or feel the need to run. I just take his hand and let him pull me in.
His fingers lace through mine effortlessly, and the noise of the room fades into a soft hum.
He tugs me closer, pressing a kiss to the side of my forehead before turning back to his parents.
His parents beam at him, giving me a curt, welcoming nod.
All at once, I don’t feel like I’m standing on the outside of someone else’s happiness.
“How’s the shop coming along, Emery? Knox said you’re getting close to being ready to open,” Knox’s dad says, pulling me into the conversation.
I nod and smile. “Yes,” I answer, squeezing Knox’s hand. “He’s been a huge help with everything. I’m thinking about doing a grand opening event next month. You both should come.”
“We’d love to,” Knox’s mom says with a warm smile.
“I can’t wait until you see some of the pieces she’s working on. She even refinished the desk sitting in my office,” he says. His entire face lights up with pride, making my skin feel tight. I guess he’s not the only one who hates being praised.
“The mahogany one?” Crystal asks.
“Yes,” I nod. “It was Sal’s desk when he first started the shop, and all it needed was a good sanding and some stain. I wanted Knox to have something to remind him where it all started.”
He looks over at me with a love-drunk daze across his face. It’s a look I’ve found myself beginning to mirror more and more. It makes me nostalgic for our younger days and even more grateful that we made it here.
The night slowly melds into laughter, bad karaoke, and an empty bowl of Marie’s punch that she practically finishes herself. She was going to have a rough morning at the coffee shop tomorrow.
At some point, Knox catches my hand and pulls me onto the dance floor. He spins me around effortlessly like we’ve been doing this forever. And maybe, in one way or another, we have. It’s felt like an eternity dancing around the idea of us. Of this.
I used to think he would forever be the boy who broke my heart. But now, it feels like he’s rebuilding it, piece by piece. And I’m rebuilding him, too.
I think those are the best kind of relationships.
Not the ones where we chase perfection, but the ones where we look for someone who’s willing to work and grow with us.
I spent a long time believing I would never find a love that was this forgiving and all-consuming.
But that’s what happens when you don’t think you deserve it.
Now I know I do. We both do.
Knox pulls me in close, brushing his lips against my ear. “Do you remember the night we got our tattoos?”
I pull my head back and send him a questioning glance. “Yeah, but why are you bringing it up now?”
“Just reminiscing. I’m allowed to do that, right?”
I give him a dirty look, earning a laugh in exchange. “I almost got it covered a long time ago.”
“Really?” I ask, my stomach sinking. I thought about covering mine up a few times too.
But every time I tried to find a tattoo I liked more, I always came up empty.
Now, I know there was a part of me that didn’t want to cover it up.
I liked the idea that even if we were hundreds of miles apart, we were still connected.
“Yes,” he answers, the corners of his lips tilting down. “I had it scheduled and everything, but right before my appointment, my truck broke down, and I missed it.”
I blink softly. “Please don’t feed me some bullshit about fate saving your tattoo.”
“I would never,” Knox laughs, keeping our bodies swaying to the slow country song filling the air.
“After that happened, I never rescheduled the appointment. I realized that if I covered up the tattoo, it would be like saying I regretted that time we spent together. But I didn’t. Even after everything went to shit.”
A familiar ache settles in my chest. “I’m glad I kept mine, too. No matter how badly I wanted to run you over, I never regretted that summer either.”
Knox’s body shakes with more laughter. “That’s the nicest death threat I’ve ever gotten.”
“Well, it’s not like we got each other’s names tattooed. That would be a whole other story,” I laugh, laying my head on his chest.
Knox catches my chin with his hand and pulls my face to his. “Are you saying you wouldn’t get my name tattooed on you?”
“Hell no,” I say smugly. “We’ve only been dating for a few weeks. Calm down.”
His mouth quirks. “Don’t worry, Bambi. I plan on keeping you around for a long time. As long as you’ll have me.”
“Don’t press your luck,” I tease, sticking out my tongue.
“I think I’m feeling pretty lucky,” he says, rubbing his thumb in circles along my hip.
I roll my eyes. “You’re awfully confident, Cooke.”
“Yup,” he agrees. “I thought that’s what you love about me?”
I laugh, feeling lightheaded. “I consider it more cockiness than confidence. But yeah, I guess if I technically love all of you, I have to love those parts too.”
Knox sighs, leaning down to press his forehead against mine. “Aw, Bambi. I love it when you talk about our love so logistically.”
“You’re an idiot.”
“Correction. I’m your idiot.”
“You’re impossible.”
“Yeah,” he says, twirling my body and then yanking my arm back toward him. I flatten my palms against him to stop the motion. “But you love me anyway.”
And I do. God help me, I really do.
THE END