Page 67 of One Pucking Wish

Her mouth falls open in a gasp, and I take the box back from her to retrieve the ring. I set the donuts on the mantel next to her coffee and drop to one knee.

“My beautiful Penelope.” I hold the ring out to her. “Six months ago, my heart made a wish, and at that time, I didn’t even know exactly what I was wishing for, but I saw you. You have always been the answer. I often wonder why it took so long for me to see that, but I think I couldn’t see it until I was ready for all the beautiful experiences you’ve brought to my life. I am so grateful to you for finding me, the real me, and loving me for who I am with all my baggage. I never knew that life could be like this, and now that I do, I will fight for the rest of my life to keep it, to keep you and love you and make you the happiest woman in the world. Will you please marry me?”

Tears course down her cheeks, and the most beautiful smile crosses her face. She nods enthusiastically. “Yes, Gunner. Of course I will marry you.” She falls to her knees, wraps her arms around my neck, and pulls me in for a hug. Our lips meet, and the kiss is wet from tears and messy from our collective smiles and laughter—and absolutely fucking perfect.

I break the kiss and take her hand. Her hand trembles as I slide the ring on her finger. “Do you like it?”

“Are you kidding? It’s perfect. It’s so me.”

“I thought it was the perfect ring for you.”

She holds her hand out in front of her, the diamond sparkling on her hand. “It is. Oh my God,” she shrieks. “I can’t believe this!”

“Oh wait.” I stand and retrieve the donuts. I pull out the white cardboard tray from the bottom of the box that holds the donuts and retrieve a lighter from my pocket.

Penny stands. “What are you doing?”

“I have a whole plan.” I light the candles.

“You are the cutest. All of my favorite things are in one room—Friends, coffee, and you.” She holds out her hand and admires her ring once more. “And added to that list are now sprinkled donuts and this ring.” She grins.

I hold the candle lit donuts between us. “Something started in February when we blew out those candles, and then in Vancouver when you brought me the stale sprinkled donuts on our birthday just like the ones my mom used to bring me. I’ve never believed in fate and all that, but I do now. We came together despite all odds and our stubborn nature. The universe brought us together, forcing us in that god-awful hotel room. Everything that happened was a sign until so many signs were shoved in my face that I couldn’t ignore my path to happiness anymore. You are my happiness, Pen. I would burn the entire world down for you.”

She shakes her head, fresh tears falling. “I don’t need you to burn the world for me, Gunner. I just need you to walk by my side through this life and love me.”

“I will always love you.”

“And that is all I will ever need from you.”

The candles, half their original size, flicker between us. “To my future Mrs. Dreven, it is time to make a wish.”

She presses her lips into a smile and closes her eyes, visualizing her wish, and then we blow out the candles together. My wish is the same one I made in February.

Only this time, I’m not confused or hesitant. I’m a hundred percent sure. I see her face in bright, vivid color.

And the wish is less of a wish and more of a thank-you because everything I needed has already come true.

I found the love of my life, and she’s just agreed to be mine.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-SEVEN

PENNY

Vancouver hits different in the summer. It’s still a beautiful city, but it's not the same without the death-defying snowstorm and staying in a musty room equipped for toilet paper storage.

Sliding my hands over my mop of curls, I put it in a side ponytail as Gunner speeds down the country road that leads back into the city. The sun shines bright as we pass mountains blanketed in evergreens. Driving a Jeep with its soft cover top off is not good for my hair or my skin. I pull my light jacket over my shoulders.

“Cold?” Gunner questions.

“No. Trying not to get burnt. I don’t want to spend our honeymoon in pain.”

“Damn. Sorry, babe. I keep forgetting I’m married to a ginger.” He chuckles. “Maybe this wasn’t the best choice of vehicles.”

I look at Gunner and his perfectly tanned skin. “It’s okay. It’s easy for those with the ability to tan to forget.” The statement isn’t said in anger but truth. Those who weren’t born with pale skin don’t realize the torture that is the sun. “At least we’re north and not honeymooning in the Caribbean or something. If we were there, I’d be doing nothing but swimming in sunscreen.” I turn to the side and lean my face against the headrest, taking in my gorgeous husband. “It was nice to see Frank and Alice, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah, it was.” He smiles. “They’re like family, almost. You know?”

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