I give a small wave and spin around, still in shock that I just met my favorite author. I open the book to the first page and read the inscription: Lauren, SAY YES! XO, Belle Willis.
Say yes? Say yes to what?
I bring the book down in front of me to reveal Finn down on one knee.
“Oh my God,” I gasp, my hand flying over my mouth and my eyes instantly filling with unshed tears. I have envisioned this moment over and over again. Is this really happening? My heart begins to beat faster than the Flash.
“Lo, the first time I did this, it was out of the blue, unplanned, and well, didn’t go as expected. I let my pride get in the way of going after what I truly wanted in life: you. I let ten years get between us. I know we haven’t been back together all that long, but I knew from the moment I walked up to you on the football field that night that you were it for me. I bought this ring shortly after I arrived in Seattle, and I never let it go, just like my heart never let you go. You are the one for me, my happily ever after. Our love story restarted at a wedding, and I hope the next chapter of our life continues with one. I love you so much. Lauren Elizabeth Lawson, will you marry me?”
“Damn, I should totally be taking notes right now,” I hear from behind me, followed by female giggling.
It took me ten years and staring into the beautiful brown eyes of the man I love to finally say the one word my heart has been screaming since our first kiss. “Yes.”
In one swift movement, Finn slides the ring on my finger and sweeps me into his arms, kissing me passionately on the lips. When the crowd erupts in cheers and applause, I remember that we are in the middle of a bookstore.
“Say it again,” he whispers, fina
lly breaking apart with his forehead resting on mine.
“Yes. A thousand times, yes, Finn.” He spins me around and slams his mouth against mine one more time.
“Well, I’m glad you listened to me,” Belle says from beside us. Oh my God, how could I forget that she was still here? Holy shit, Belle Willis was in on my engagement. “Now show me that ring. I feel a new story coming on.”
“It’s about time you wrote something other than about our friends,” Jordan jokes, also examining the ring. This is a scene straight out of a book.
Belle laughs and holds her hands out in front of her as if she were under a spotlight. “Second-chance romance, two lovers reunited after ten years. Man reaches out to her favorite author to make a proposal memorable.”
“I can’t believe you did that. You reached out to her?” I look up adoringly at Finn, leaning into his chest.
He wraps his arms around my shoulder. “You were worth it. I’m sorry I didn’t do all of this the first time. Even worth the potential ass-kicking I would have undertaken from her husband sliding into her direct messages like that. Have you seen that guy? He’s a beast.”
I’ve totally seen photos, and they are picture-perfect.
“He realized you were harmless and not some crazy stalker. Just a man wanting to do whatever he could to make his woman happy. He understood that. And I couldn’t refuse a real-life happily ever after.” She smiles with love in her eyes. “Well, congrats again. I should be getting back to the readers.” She tilts her head to the line of people waiting for her.
I hold up my hands in apology to the crowd.
“Thank you so much. Is it okay to hug you?”
“Of course.” She wraps her arms around me, and Finn even takes a few photos. I might just die right now. She waves, and she and Jordan head back to the table.
Finn leans down. “Babe, why don’t you close your mouth before I start getting other ideas.” I whip my head back at him, my cheeks flushed. I close my mouth and smile at him before glancing back down at my left hand. “Now come on, the day’s not over yet.”
“It’s not?” I ask as he leads me out of the bookstore.
“Nope. In fact, it’s only just begun.” He spins me around so I am now facing his chest. “See, I don’t just want to marry you, Lauren Lawson.”
“You don’t?” I’m not sure where this conversation is going. What else does he want to do with me?
He leans down, brushing soft kisses up my neck. “Nope.” I feel his breath hot on my skin as he trails kisses over my jaw to my chin and finally finding my lips. “I want to marry you today.” Kiss. “I don’t want—” Kiss. “—to go—” Kiss. “—another day—” Kiss. “—without you—” Kiss. “—being my wife.” Kiss.
I gasp, and he takes that opportunity to slip his tongue in my mouth, seeking my own. He breaks the kiss all too soon for me, but we’re standing in front of a crowded bookstore. Taking my cheeks in his palms, he brushes away the tears with his thumbs. “So, what do you say?”
“Yes. There is no doubt in my mind I will marry you today, tomorrow, whenever. But…” I pull my bottom lip between my teeth. I’ve imagined Finn proposing over and over again along with marrying him, but my sister was always beside me, and my mother would be the one to give me away. “I just wish our families were here.”
He kisses the tip of my nose and smiles like the Cheshire cat. He is clearly up to something.
“Good. I was hoping you’d say that because our families are waiting for us. You’re going to go shopping with the girls for a dress. Pick out the most beautiful wedding dress there is, the cost doesn’t matter. I want your day to be perfect.”