Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 86199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Just call it my new mission in life.
By the time we finish, the entire bar is screaming the lyrics back at us, and it’s a standing ovation as the last notes reverberate throughout the dark space.
I rip my gaze away from Willow to stare at her brother. A reluctant smile has settled on his lips.
“See, you had fun.”
He shrugs. “Maybe so, but you’re still a dick.”
With a chuckle, I jump off the stage and make my way back to Willow. All I can think about is getting her alone.
Once I reach the table, I pull her out of her seat and wrap her up in my arms before whispering in her ear, “You ready to go, sunshine? All I want to do is get my hands on you, and I can’t do that in front of your brother.”
“Thanks for including him. You have no idea how much it means to me.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I know exactly how much it meant. It’s why I did it. Why I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy.”
The softness that fills her eyes is enough for me to drown in.
Happily so.
Her teeth scrape across her lower lip. “I love you, Maverick.”
Those words steal the air from my lungs. I’ve been wanting to tell her I love her for the last week or two, but I was worried that she wasn’t there yet. I’m trying to take our relationship slow so I don’t scare her away with the enormity of my feelings. It’s a relief that I don’t have to hide them anymore.
“I love you too.”
With a smile, she presses her lips against mine. “Let’s go home so you can show me exactly how much.”
“Deal.”
Epilogue
Willow
Two years later…
* * *
“Ms. Thompson? I have a question.”
I turn away from the SMART Board where I’m writing out the math problems we’ll be tackling for our lesson this afternoon.
“Yes, Alice?”
“Are we having a guest today?”
My brows draw together, wondering where the question came from. One of the first things we do in the morning is go over our schedule for the day. If there’s a change to the itinerary, that’s when we talk about it. Our second-grade class runs smoother when everyone understands what to expect and there aren’t any surprises.
“Nope. Today’s a normal day. No speakers or assemblies.” I tilt my head. “Why do you ask?”
When the little girl points toward the classroom door, I follow the movement. A burst of happiness explodes inside me when my gaze collides with mahogany-colored eyes.
Maverick.
That’s all it takes for a smile to break out across my face as he lifts his hand in a wave.
Some of the kids who play hockey jump to their feet.
“That’s Maverick McKinnon,” Devon Richfield yells, body vibrating with excitement.
“He’s so cool!” Brett Samson adds.
Alice swivels toward the boys and chirps, “My mom says that Ms. Thompson is a very lucky lady.”
My brows shoot up before my gaze slices back to Maverick.
His shoulders shake with humor, because he knows exactly what that little girl’s mom is implying.
And, yeah, it’s true.
I am very lucky.
It’s so tempting to close the distance between us and throw myself into his arms. Even though it’s only been five days since I saw him, it feels like forever. I want to soak up every little detail and commit it to memory.
It’s only when he steps farther inside the classroom that I realize he’s not alone. My parents and River are crowded behind him.
I blink, surprised to see them.
The only time they’ve been here is when I was first hired as a second-grade teacher. The three of them stopped to check out my classroom, and I gave them a tour of the building. Mom cried the entire time. Not because she was worried about me getting sick but because she was so proud.
“Hi.” My gaze touches upon each of them. “What are you all doing here?”
It’s tempting to tack on during the middle of a school day.
The four of them step farther inside the classroom.
“I thought it was important that your family be here,” Maverick says.
My brows draw together. “For what?”
When he’s standing directly in front of me, he drops to one knee.
It takes a moment to process what’s happening. My eyes widen as my hands fly to my mouth. When I’m finally able to force out my voice, it sounds like it’s being choked from my body. “Maverick?”
“Yeah, sunshine?”
“What are you doing?”
“Asking the love of my life to marry me. After being away from you for five days, it only reinforced that you’re it for me. The beginning and end of my world. I want us to take that next step together. The one that leads to the rest of our lives. What do you say, Willow? Will you make me the happiest man in the world and become my wife?”
Tears flood my eyes as I nod. “Of course I will. I love you, Maverick. More than anything.”