Page 105 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 1

When his smile grows even wider, those dimples digging deep into his cheeks, he says, “You know what comes next?”

I want to roll my eyes, but I don’t. I embrace him even tighter, and reply, “Go ahead and say it. You know you’ve been dying to.”

“I do. I do, baby.” Slipping his arms around my waist, he says, “I do forever with you.”

“Good. I do, too.”

Under sunset skies on the edge of an Avalon cliff, we kiss, sealing our fates forever together before heading to our reception up the hill.

Inside the bar where we met, I sit on the tablecloth-covered counter and take a bite of my first In-N-Out burger. Did anyone really expect us to have our reception catered by another place? Instead of a chocolate fountain, we have a french fry tower, and a buffet table with every variety of cookie imaginable. Though my husband’s favorite is the double chocolate chunk. I’m thinking those are the cookies that led to the proposal. I’ve taken notes for my clients.

Nick stands in front of me, biting his lip nervously as though I’m performing surgery. I rest a hand on his shoulder, and say, “It’s delicious.”

Like a proud papa, he announces, “She likes it.” Everyone carries on with their celebrating, not worried with our antics.

Tugging him by the lapels of his tuxedo, I say, “Come here. Let me kiss you, dear husband.”

Our kisses are NSFW, not suitable for weddings . . .or receptions. “I can’t wait for our honeymoon.”

“A week atourbungalow, totally unplugged from the rest of the world. Only you and me, babe.” I pick up my cocktail and take a sip, the rum going down way too smoothly.

“Sounds like heaven.”

“It’s the best gift ever. I don’t know that thank you is enough. Your parents were very generous.”

Clinking his glass against mine, he says, “Don’t fall for their tricks, dear wife. Cookie wants grandkids while she’s young.”

“The plot thickens.” I giggle. Glancing over at his brother and date, I ask, “How does Andrew feel about us getting the beach house?”

Nick turns to locate him. “He gets their house. They’re downsizing. It may be bigger, but real estate on the beach in Malibu is more valuable, so they’re about even.”

“Tatum already told me not to throw the bouquet to her, so maybe I’ll toss it to Dalen.”

“It took us three times to get it right.”

“Third time’s a charm.”

As he caresses my cheek, the amusement disappears and is replaced with sincerity. “We aren’t lucky, Natalie, and charm had nothing to do with it. We’re destiny.”

I release a breath and then lean against him. “I should sendThe Chada thank-you gift. If it hadn’t been such an awful date, I wouldn’t have been heading home.”

Bending down to kiss that spot just below my ear that makes me weak in the knees, he then says, “Yeah, I’m not that big of a man. Let’s just leave him in the past.”

I laugh. “Already forgotten.”

My best friend comes over with the shot hat. When she holds it up, I say, “Nope. That gets me in trouble every time.” I kiss Nick’s scruffy cheek, because he’s so damn sexy, and he’s all mine.

His arm wraps around my waist and he kisses me right back. “I’m just the kind of trouble you need.” He helps me from the bar.

“If I put that hat on, we’re going to end up making Cookie’s wish a reality.”

Twirling me out, he brings me back in, holding me tight against him. Dipping me, he asks, “Would that be so bad?”

“I still want to have two kids with you, but I’m thinking we have some fun for a few years, build the business, and grow your career. What do you say?”

“I already said it in front of the world.” I’m whipped up against him, eye to eye. “I do.” I kiss him, and when he sets me down on my feet, he adds, “We have time for a family.” Cheek to cheek, we slow dance. “I’m happy we’re returning to New York together. No more long-distance. You’re stuck with me now, Mrs. Christiansen.”

Harrison comes over and says, “The bar’s opening up to the public soon, so we have to wrap it up.”

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