Page 112 of The Enemy Face Off

"I'm…I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything." I nudge my gift closer to her. "Here."

She delicately opens the rectangular jewelry box, her fingers trembling slightly. Inside, nestled on a soft velvet cushion, rests a gleaming necklace with multiple charms, including a book and a heart.

"Open the locket," I suggest, pointing to the heart-shaped locket.

She does, and she reads out the inscription. "MP."

"Maverick Pendleton. Your ultimate book boyfriend, remember?"

"But, wait…I never told you what he bought her."

"Yeah, well, I read the book. Okay,skimmedthe book, found the grand gesture part, and took inspiration from it."

She keeps staring at the inscription for a while. A long while. And then she looks up, her expression unreadable. "MP?"

"Yeah. MP."

"And it's just a coincidence that MP happen to be your initials, too?"

"Oh. Are they? I hadn't even realized."

"You did so."

I grin. "Okay. So maybe I wasn't too mad at the universe for the fortunate coincidence."

She gets up out of the seat, sits next to me, and plants the biggest kiss on my lips.

When it ends, I mutter, "Note to self, buy Beth a necklace every day."

"That kiss wasn't for the necklace, even though I love it and will wear it all the time," she says, locking her earnest gaze on mine. "It's for you being you. You've always seen something in me, Milo, even when I didn't treat you well. And somehow, you managed to break through all the walls I've built up without applying any pressure or making me feel uncomfortable. You said we could do things on my timeframe, and you stayed true to your word. Only a strong man can manage a complicated woman, and believe me, I'm very complicated."

"Oh, I know," I murmur, tucking a loose strand behind her ear. "You're the most complicated, challenging, stubborn woman I've ever met."

Her breath hitches.

I mean it as a compliment. It takes her a few seconds to register that, and when she does, her shoulders visibly loosen.

"Yeah, well, that makes you the strongest man I've ever met."

I grin again. "Looks like we're a perfect match."

After we finish lunch, and I settle the bill—leaving Bear an extra-large tip for breaking his no-reservations-everrule and saving me the best booth in the house—we step out of the diner, but instead of walking Beth back to the bookstore, I lead her in the opposite direction.

"Where are we going?"

"I have another surprise for you."

"But I have to get back to the shop."

"No you don't."

"Uh, yes I do. Courtland is a pretty chill boss, but he's not cool with me skipping out on work."

"Courtland knows you won't be back at work this afternoon."

Beth stops walking. "What are you talking about? You've prearranged this?"

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