Page 61 of Hooked on a Feeling

John watched Starr walk over to Dallas to talk about the lease. John’s life was good. Complete. He had his father’s big shoes to fill, but John was happy to be the brother and business leader his siblings needed to help implement their solid ideas.

He was going to take Blue Horizons to new heights. Adrenaline vibrated in his chest, and electricity zipped through his blood. He had the woman he wanted and the job he was born for. As long as Alfred could keep him out of jail for his indiscretion, he was on top of the world.

Starr waved at him, and he realized he must look like a fool, standing there staring into la-la land. Dallas shook Starr’s hand, and then he got into his truck and drove off. Starr went down to the docks to tend to her new clients.

John sat in his vehicle for nearly an hour, checking emails, playing stupid games, and downloading music before she wrapped up her business. John enjoyed the sway of her hips as she walked toward him with the biggest smile he’d seen yet. She went to the driver’s side of his car, and he rolled his window down.

“The Emerald Port Marina and Yacht Club is officially in the profit zone. Say hello to the new owner.”

John let out a whoop of joy and shot his arms out through the open window, pulling her off the ground and halfway inside. “Congratulations, Ms. Young. I knew the moment I met you that you were different. Special. You could almost even say that you had my heart at hello.” He nuzzled against her neck, despite her squirming to break free.

He shifted her so that her feet were back on solid ground. She gripped his chin. “You could almost even say that it was fate.”

Epilogue

It wasn’t their traditional Sunday dinner, but it was Sunday, and the crew of My Way would be serving dinner. John’s siblings were on the upper deck enjoying mimosas while Starr and John were alone inside the yacht. The weather was gorgeous, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Starr had taken Dramamine, and with all the breathing exercises she’d done, today was a good day for her on the yacht. Her stomach felt fine. They’d only taken the yacht out a few times before now, and she’d been pretty lucky, for the most part. Slowly but surely, she was getting used to being on the water.

“You know it’s a shame that your mom and dad won’t talk about what happened with my grandfather and your grandfather,” Starr said.

“I know. But I guess what’s in the past is staying there. We don’t need to know. It set us on the right path to each other. That’s all I care about.” John’s hand rubbed circles against her thighs. “Knowing what happened to sever their friendship isn’t going to change our lives one way or another.”

Starr stuck out her lower lip in a pout. “I know. But it would be one of those fun legacy stories that could keep living generation after generation.”

“Maybe we can ask about it when they get back from their trip. Or who knows, maybe you have all the answers you need inside his office. With all the things he’s kept, maybe there’s something in there about what went down.”

“Not a bad idea. We could start looking and see what we come up with. I have tons of old receipts that I need to go through and throw out. He kept every single receipt he’d ever gotten.”

“My mom is that same way. I don’t get it. Do we need itemized lists of what we purchased?” John scrunched up his face in confusion.

“It’s crazy.”

“Have you spoken to your parents?” he asked.

Starr shook her head. She was still disappointed that they no longer wanted to have a relationship with her. According to them, she’d betrayed them. She was a snake in the grass, waiting for the opportunity to strike. “Nope. And I don’t plan to. Even when we have kids someday, I will not be bringing that kind of negativity into our children’s lives. They’ll always play the victim.”

“I admire how strong you are. Both physically and mentally. Listen, there is something that I wanted to ask you.”

Starr pursed her lips. “What’s that?”

Annaliese appeared in front of Starr with a serving tray. Annaliese’s eyes were bright, and she was trying not to smile. On the serving tray was a small black jeweler’s box.

Starr gasped and turned back to John, who was on his knees next to Starr. “What is this? John, get up. You don’t—”

“Starr, let me do this.”

She fell to her knees. “I want to be on your level. Okay, go ahead.”

He chuckled and took the box Annaliese handed him. She discreetly disappeared, leaving the two of them alone. He popped it open. “You’ve already made me the happiest man in the world. But it would seal the deal if we made it official. Will you marry me?”

The ring shone bright, resembling the way her heart felt. Starr nodded. She kept nodding. She couldn’t stop. Her hand shook when she held it out and John pushed the ring onto her finger. “It’s perfect.”

“Just like you.” He kissed her lips, pecking her mouth and cheek. Burying her in kisses. “I want to hear you say it.”

“Yes, John. Yes. Yes. Yes.” Her heart sang with glory, and she squeezed her thighs together as heat flooded her system. “You know it’s always a yes where you’re concerned.”

“I’d like to hope. But you can never be too sure.” He stood and pulled her up with him. “Come on. Let’s go downstairs so I can have my way with you.”

Starr laughed at his play on words. Thank God she hadn’t gotten sick today. What kind of an engagement story would that be to tell their future children? She followed him down the stairs and to his room.

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