Epilogue
Kendall
“Can you believe it’s storming? Just like the last time we were here.” I laugh.
Liam and I run through the resort at Cabo San Lucas.
“I know. It’s crazy.” He chuckles, then grabs my hand, leading me through an outdoor patio in the direction of our room.
When we reach the lobby of the resort, we stop. I catch our reflection in the mirrored wall behind the bar. Both of us are soaked. When I see my eye makeup is running down my face, I laugh.
“Wow. I look like Alice Cooper.”
Liam laughs and gently grips my chin in his hand. “Not even close. You look stunning.”
My heart slingshots through my chest. With any other guy, I’d assume he’s just being polite and that he doesn’t really mean it.
Not Liam though. My boyfriend is always honest and always raving about how hot I look.
Even when I’m sweaty from working out. Even when I’m lounging around the house in sweats and one of his hoodies that fits me like an oversized dress.
Even when it’s the first day of my period and my skin is ruddy and I’m bloated.
He always looks at me with those fiery blue eyes, like he can’t wait to devour me.
It’s the best feeling in the world.
He drops a sweet kiss to my mouth. I beam at him and grab a napkin from the bartop and dab at my eyes.
He grabs a napkin and wipes at his soaked face. I stare at him, mesmerized at how handsome he looks. The white short-sleeve button-up he’s wearing is practically see-through after being soaked by the rain, so his chest and abs are visible
“It’s unfair how hot you are,” I say. “Everyone else looks like drowned rats in the rain. You look like a cross between Poseidon and a male model.”
He flashes that smug grin that always, always makes me weak in the knees.
He kisses me again. “You always know what to say to get me in the mood,” he growls softly.
I chuckle and gently shove his shoulder, glancing around to make sure no one heard us.
He pulls out his phone from his pants pocket. “We should take a selfie and send it to Auntie Christina.”
My heart melts at how Liam calls her Auntie. It’s only been a couple months since the three of us moved together in the new house that he bought, but it feels so natural, so comfortable already.
He found a gorgeous five-bedroom craftsman-style home in Belmont Boulevard that was recently remodeled. He even made sure there was a bedroom and bathroom on the main floor for her.
He crouches down and takes a quick pic of the two of us, then texts it to Auntie.
“Has she texted you today?” he asks me.
I nod. “Yup. She’s having fun staying with my parents while we’re away. She asked if we can bring her back some tequila.”
He laughs. “Absolutely.”
He takes my hand and together we walk across the lobby and down the hall. As we get closer to our room, I notice Liam’s neck flushes red. He takes a few deep breaths, like he’s nervous.
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
He turns and flashes a tight smile. “Yeah, all good.”
He opens the door of our hotel room and lets me walk in first.
I kick off my wedges and take a few steps forward, then stop dead in my tracks.
My mouth falls open as I take in the scene in front of me: a trail of red rose petals runs along the floor of our room all the way to the bed.
Petals in the shape of a heart cover the white comforter.
There’s a massive vase of roses on the table along with a bucket of champagne, two flutes, and a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries.
I spin around. “Liam, what is this?”
When I see him on one knee holding a velvet ring box in his hand, I gasp.
I gaze at him, his soft blue eyes shiny with unshed tears, his smile wobbly.
Emotion lodges in my throat.
“Six months ago, we were stranded at this resort,” he says in a shaky voice.
“Things didn’t start off very well between us that day.
But I’m so thankful that storm messed up our flight and made it so we had to share a room here.
Because it helped us work things out. Those three days we were together were the most amazing days of my life.
Because I got to spend them with you. And every day with you since then has been a dream. ”
My breath catches and my lips wobble. His hands start to shake. My heart aches. He’s nervous and it’s so freaking sweet.
I reach down and cup my hand around his. He instantly stills. Warmth flashes in his beautiful blue gaze.
“Kendall, I still can’t believe you’re mine. I’m so, so grateful to be with you. One smile from you brightens my day. Hearing you laugh makes my heart beat faster. And just knowing that you love me…”
His voice breaks as he trails off. He wipes a tear from his face and takes a breath. My heart is bursting.
“Just knowing that you love me is the greatest feeling in the world.” He takes a breath.
“For the longest time, being your friend was all I ever wanted. But then I caught feelings. Big feelings. When you became my girlfriend, I was the happiest I’ve ever been.
But that’s not enough anymore. I want you to be my wife. ”
I cover my mouth as I let out a happy cry.
“Kendall Varay, will you make me the happiest man in the universe and marry me?”
I’m nodding before he even finishes speaking. I yell out, “Yes!” as I fall into him and hug him tight. He wraps his arms around me. I lean back and kiss him until we’re both breathless.
When we break apart, he shows me the ring, which I haven’t even looked at yet, I’m so shocked.
“Do you like it?” he asks.
My eyes almost pop out of my head when I see the massive emerald-cut diamond. It’s set in a rose gold band with tiny diamonds along the band.
“Liam, I love it. This ring…” I shake my head, overwhelmed. “It must have cost you a fortune.”
The corner of his mouth lifts in a sexy, smug half-smile. “You deserve it, firecracker. You deserve every amazing thing in this world.”
Warmth pools in my chest as he slides the ring on my finger. And then he leans down and scoops me up. I wrap my legs around his waist and cup his face as I kiss him some.
“I love you. So much,” I say between kisses.
“I love you so much too,” he murmurs against my mouth.
He walks us over to the bed and lowers me down, kissing me the whole time.
He leans back and glances at the champagne and strawberries. He turns to me and grins. “Should we celebrate, or…”
I tug at his waistband, pulling him close to me. “Later. Right now I’d like to spend some time in bed with my future husband.”
“Husband.” He grins. “I like the sound of that.”
We fall into bed, kissing and touching.
“Let’s get married here,” I say against his mouth.
He leans back and smiles. “I’d love that.”
I strip off his wet shirt. “We could have the ceremony on the beach. Then dinner and dancing at one of the restaurants.”
I sit up, and he pulls off my dress. He smiles. “That sounds perfect.”
He lies down on the bed and pulls me on top of him. For a second, I just soak in the moment. I’m engaged to the sweetest, funniest, kindest, most generous and romantic man in the world. Emotion bubbles up in my chest.
He reaches up and brushes the wet hair out of my face. “You okay there, firecracker?” he asks.
I nod. “I just can’t believe how lucky I am that I get to marry you.”
He smiles, his whole heart in his eyes. “That goes double for me.”