Page 139 of That Time I Kissed My Beachfront Boss

“About a hundred times.” A laugh teases his lips. “But you read The Shining, so I think we’re even.”

“Nope.” I fake a frown. “Not even close.”

“Are you going to let me do this now?”

I nod, my eyes and nose stinging. “Yes. I just … I wasn’t prepared to cry today.”

“Well, that’s okay,” he says. His voice is deep. Grounded. Purposeful. “Because from this day forward, and for all the rest of our days, your tears will be mine too, Liv.”

I nod and sniffle, and a drop breaks free from the corner of my eye to dribble over my cheek. “Okay,” I squeak out.

“I’m not done.”

“Okay.”

“I’m going to stand beside you at every crossroads ready to support you. Defend you. Comfort you. If you’ll let me, I’ll put my whole heart in your hands, and give up my life to make you happy.” He takes a beat, his voice catching. “This is me—now, here—pledging all my love and faith and loyalty only to you, Olivia Mae McCoy. Forever. If you’ll have me.”

I’m too overcome to speak, so I just nod and grin and let the tears spill down my face.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” he says, sliding the ring onto my finger.

I nod, drawing in a quick breath. I’m so full of love for this man, there’s barely enough room in this crowded office for both of us and my overflowing heart. Then he lifts his chin and looks at me with that angular jaw, those sparkling eyes, and the mop of dark hair.

“Did I do all right?”

More nodding from me.

“As good as Rochester?”

“Even better,” I manage to gush, swiping at my wet chin again. “And I’d say ‘Reader, I married him,’ but I think we should come up with our own ending.”

Hudson’s mouth goes crooked. “And we probably have to plan a wedding first.”

“Unless we elope to the Moon.” I sniffle and swipe again, blinking back tears. “Then we could be one of those super-cheesy couples who say, ‘I love you to the moon and back,’ but we’d be telling the truth.”

“If that’s what you want.”

“I don’t,” I sniffle.

“Good. Because I don’t think I’d do very well on a space shuttle.”

We both let out a laugh, then go quiet again. He reaches for my hands—one of which now wears his engagement ring—and our gazes meet in yet another staring contest. The best one of my life.

The only one that matters. And I’m not about to crack up this time.

“I love you so much,” I say.

“I love you so much more.”

“Oh, yeah? Prove it.”

His eyes flash. “YOU prove it.”

I consider options for a moment. “We could run out back and make angels in the snow … and write our names over the top … and whoever makes the prettiest angel wins.”

“Who’s going to judge?”

“Logan’s working registration. He can leave the desk for five minutes.”

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