Page 87 of Brewing Up a Bad Boy

“I do. I have for a while but was afraid...”

“Then it seemed like your fears were coming true.”

“Yeah, I manifested the worst outcome for us,” she said. “I hadn’t realized it until this moment. But I kept waiting for you to do...”

“Do something dicky. I’m not saying I don’t. I mean, I did rock that table in the tavern just now and spilled everyone’s drinks. But to be honest, I didn’t know it was unstable. I’ll have to get Lars to fix it—”

She kissed him, stopping the flow of words. Her mouth moved under his, her hands in his hair, and her body fitted into the curve of his chest. Nothing else mattered except this woman, this moment.

“So...”

“I’m not leaving you again,” he began. It was too important to not make it perfectly clear what he wanted for the two of them. “I want a life with you. However it works out. I’m going to get a visa and come to Maine and work with Owen and Lars in the tavern, brewing beer for the different seasons.

“I’d like to live with the woman I love and explore new flavors and try new brewing methods with her. I’d like to finally just be the man I’ve been afraid to let the world see. I don’t want to end up like my parents, who are just partners in an institution they were both forced into.

“I love you, moon fairy, and my life will be dull and boring without you by my side. I’m no longer the legacy second son to the Lancaster-Spencer dynasty. I’m not a tabloid favorite or able to jet you off to places you’ve never been.

“What I am is a man who will keep trying to not let you down, a man who’s going to fuck up sometimes and apologize as soon as it happens.”

That was all he could offer. Therapy had taught him to learn to accept that he was flawed. He had tools to help him manage his anger and his emotions, such as his running, but the truth was, around Poppy, he didn’t need to run as much or as far.

“I love you, too,” she said. “I’m going to make mistakes too. But there isn’t anything I want more than a life together. One that we make for ourselves. Not bound by a centuries-old tea recipe but new blends that we create together. I was serious about not marrying again, just so you know. I’ll live with you and love you, but being man and wife...that doesn’t work for me. You okay with that?”

“I pretty much just said I’m okay with anything as long as I’m next to you,” he said.

“Perfect.”

He shook his head. “Perfectly imperfect.”

Poppy laughed, and he lifted her into his arms, spinning them in a circle. His heart was beating nice and steady, and the feelings that were flooding through him were more intense than his anger ever had been. They were happy and joyful, making him realize how long he’d been waiting to be back in her arms.

Really back.

He’d been edging his way back to her since the moment they signed the divorce papers. The moment she forced him into when she refused to let him drag out their connection any longer. The moment he realized that losing her was the worst thing that ever happened to him.

Nothing had mattered after that except getting her back. He’d been prepared to work the rest of his life to do it. But was glad he wouldn’t have to.

Tears stung his eyes, and he buried his face in her hair. “I really do love you.”

“Took you long enough.”

Someone cleared their throat behind them. His family was waiting for him in the tavern. But when he turned, he saw that it wasn’t just George, but Liberty and Sera and Owen had also popped around the doorframe.

“You two good?” George asked. “I’d hate for Lancaster-Spencer to be responsible for ruining things a second time.”

Poppy ducked under Ali’s arm, keeping hold of his hand. “We’re very good.”

They went back in the tavern with their family. They pushed tables together, and Wes and Merle came to join them, both of them treating Ali like a brother-in-law.

The family he’d always secretly craved was his. Thanks to his moon fairy and the magic she’d woven around them.

Epilogue

Alistair stood in the archway between the tea shop and the bookstore, leaning against the wall, looking badass in the navy suit he’d brought with him from England. They’d spent the Christmas season together in Poppy’s house. Her parents, George and Bronte had flown over as well. They’d had a big celebration combining the winter solstice and Christmas at Liberty and Merle’s new house.

Today was Sera’s wedding to Wes. It was a small ceremony to be held in WiCKed Sisters. Wes, his dad and brother were all waiting at the end of an aisle that had been formed by moving the book tables around. Liberty had made an arch out of branches and seasonal flowers for them to be married under. Greer and their partner were off to one side talking to Merle and his entire family.

“I can’t believe they all came,” Liberty said.

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