Page 94 of Clean Out of Luck

Wade slams the door after he steps into the apartment. “And I can think of a whole lot of reasons I’ll be here every chance I get.”

I leap into his arms and press a kiss against his lips. He’s so strong holding me here, not even batting an eye when I leaped into his arms.

He’s everything I’ve wanted in a man and something I never thought I would find.

“Wade Hendrix.” I swallow the lump in my throat. I can’t believe I’m going to say the words first. “I love you.”

Instead of replying, Wade bends down and kisses meslowly, tenderly. His large hands cradle my head gently. When he finally pulls back, I’m treated to a warm, loving gaze.

“Do you want me to tell you all the ways I love you?” he asks in a husky voice.

“Yes,” I reply as I press another kiss against his lips.

“Do you have all week? It’s going to take that long to list them.” His eyes twinkle as he presses a quick kiss against my nose.

“Iwouldactually like an itemized list if that works for you.”

He tips his head back and laughs. “Scarlett, you’re one of a kind. I can’t believe you love me. You could do so much better than me.”

“I know.” I sigh dramatically. “But I guess I’ll just have to make do with you. I’ll have to suffer for the greater good. I’ll just have to spend time with a man that makes me laugh. Who cares enough to put me first. Someone who respects me and loves me. Someone who’s always there for me. Who’s hot.” I wink at the last little bit, and this time, when Wade bends down to kiss me, it’s not a slow one.

When we separate again, I notice his gaze is a little glassy. I reach up to press a hand against his cheek.

“Don’t know what I did to deserve you. But I’m going to do my best to make you the happiest woman on earth,” he says quietly.

“Maybe…at this point, we could just admit that we were made for each other?”

“I love you, Scarlett. I’m one lucky guy that you’ve chosen to be with me,” Wade says quietly. Then he seals his words with a kiss that curls my toes.

Epilogue

Scarlett

One yearlater

“Are you sure about this?” Grandma asks a sharp look in her eye. She’s leaning on her cane, her long pearl necklace knocking against the rings on her fingers.

When Mom and Dad came back from Florida, they brought Grandma. They convinced her to move to Serendipity Springs. I don’t know how they did it. I don’t know why they wished this travesty on this happy little town. I don’t know if Serendipity Springs can work its magic on Grandma because she might be too far gone. She’s abrupt, cranky, and obstinate.

I’ll probably turn out just like her.

She’s renting an apartment at The Serendipity now and is excited to be closer to her grandchildren. She’s already been here three months and always says how happy she is to be close to family. Aka, Wade and me. I think she’s just excited to be closer so she can boss us around. It ought to be interesting. She’s already butting into all of her neighbors’ businessand somehow knows everyone who lives in the building. She’s a quick worker.

“Am I sure about what, Grandma?”

“About marrying this boy.” She points toward the window with the view of the backyard where the wedding guests are gathering.

“Of course, I’m sure about it, Grandma,” I reply with a little nervous laugh.

She shakes her head. “Because let me tell you, if you’re not sure about it, I have the keys to your brother’s car.”

She holds up a set of keys in her left hand and jingles them. I honestly have no idea how she would’ve gotten her hands on those because Phoenix would not trust his car to anybody—except maybe Wade.

“Wow, how did you get those?” I ask.

Grandma shakes her head. “It wasn’t easy, let me tell you that.”

“Do you not like Wade or something?” I ask.

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