Page 137 of That Time I Kissed My Beachfront Boss

I chuckle, knocking my body against him. “Is that all you’re going to give me?”

He stares straight ahead of us. “Yes.”

“Whatever, bossman.”

The truth is, I’m just grateful to be here—safe and sound—with Hudson. So I decide to enjoy the walk regardless of what’s waiting for me at the end of it. I’m already giddy with anticipation, but my pulse picks up the closer we get. Still, I’m totally unprepared for the sight that greets us when we come around the corner.

Above the entrance to the pub is an enormous canvas banner with the new name painted on. But it’s not The Local or Cork and Cove.

“Hudson!” My hands fly to my mouth, and tears spring to my eyes.

He ducks his head. “You approve?”

“Yes!” I squeal.

Lee scratches his head. “What’s Thornfield Tavern?”

“Like Thornfield Hall from Jane Eyre,” I say.

A grin splits Hudson’s face. “We said we wanted to kick the reputation of this place up a notch, so I figured the name of Rochester’s estate from a classic novel—paired with a good old-fashioned bar term—would strike just the right chord.”

“It’s absolutely perfect.” I tip my chin. “But what about the Johnsons? Did you clear this with them?”

“They loved the idea,” he says. “They love you. And I—” He bites back the last two words, but I know they’re on the tip of his tongue. Because they are there for me too. My heart threatens to burst right out of my body.

“I love it,” I say. “So much.”

And I love you.

“Anyway.” Hudson splays his hands. “It’s just a temporary sign on a canvas, but the real sign’s already ordered. It might even be here by this weekend.”

“Well.” Hudson’s dad pushes his hands into his pockets. “I have no idea what’s going on, but you two sure look happy.”

We turn to him and smile. “We are,” we both say at the exact same time.

Epilogue

Six Months Later

Olivia

I skip past the Christmas tree in the lobby and burst into the office. “Did you see the latest spot the tabloids are saying Hadley and Link might get married?” I try to keep a straight face, but it’s so ridiculous, I can’t help snorting.

“Yeah.” Hudson looks up from his computer. “The Moon.” His smile is wry. “Like the actual Moon. Not a euphemism.”

I stifle a snicker. “Romantic, right?”

Moving over to my desk, I drop into my chair. We thought about moving the desk out after the reopening, but I’m still doing part-time work for the inn and taking a few online psych courses while I apply to master’s programs. So working in here next to Hudson every day kills all kinds of birds.

Studying. Applying. Marketing. Making out.

“Very romantic.” Hudson grins at me. “Not to mention a wedding on the Moon will really weed out the guests who aren’t serious about attending.”

“And cut way back on paparazzi.”

“So.” He leans back in his chair. “Should I contact NASA to see about getting us a couple tickets on the next space shuttle?”

“Oh, absolutely.” I laugh. “Can you believe The National Tattler actually picked up the story? I think Link’s agent is just trying to punk the reporters who’ve been following them around convinced he and Hadley are eloping on Christmas Eve.”

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