Page 32 of Blind Date with a #Doctor
“You’re already here every night. Half your stuff is here. I hate waking up without you when you do stay at your place.”
I smile softly. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” He exhales. “And honestly? I don’t want to wait anymore. I want you here. Always.”
Something tightens in my chest. This is forever. I reach up, cupping his face, running my thumb over the stubble along his jaw.
“You really want this?” I whisper.
He turns, presses a kiss on my palm. “I want everything with you, Aspen.”
Epilogue – Six Months Later
Carter
Six months ago, I asked Aspen to move in with me. She made me sweat for thirty seconds before smirking and saying, “I don’t know, Carter… I really love my bathtub.”
I had to bribe her with coffee, unlimited use of my shower, and the promise that I’d never complain about her excessive book-buying habits. She moved in the next weekend and in those six months, my house has gone from minimalist vibes to a cozy explosion of Aspen.
There are books everywhere and her heels are always kicked off by the front door. She steals half the blankets at night and 99% of my coffee every morning. I wouldn’t change a single thing.
Which is exactly why I’m here tonight, at the bookstore where our story, getting ready to propose to the love of my life.
And if Nan, Sally, and Marie take full credit for it? Well. I’ll deal with that later.
Aspen thinks tonight is just another book club meeting. Which is why she’s currently sitting in a worn leather chair, drinking wine, and arguing with Kendra about whether the book’s hero was actually ‘book boyfriend material’ or just another emotionally unavailable idiot.
“I mean, come on,” Aspen groans, gesturing wildly. “He brooded for, like, three hundred pages and then suddenly decided he was in love on the last chapter?”
Kendra snorts. “You do realize you just described you and Carter, right, except you’re the broody one.”
Aspen freezes and I choke back a laugh.
Nan sips her wine smugly. “She has a point, dear.”
Aspen narrows her eyes. “I am nothing like—”
The lights suddenly dim and Nan stands up, dramatically clearing her throat. “Ladies,” she announces grandly. “Tonight’s theme is Grand Romantic Gestures.”
Aspen frowns. “Uh, that wasn’t in the group text.”
Marie smirks. “Maybe you should check again.”
Aspen pulls out her phone, eyes narrowing as she scrolls.
I stand up and her head snaps up immediately. Her lips part and she asks, “What are you doing here?”
“Aspen,” I say, heart hammering, stepping toward her.
Aspen is frozen in place, her wine glass still clutched in one hand, her entire face flushed. I reach her chair, taking the glass and setting it aside, lacing my fingers with hers instead.
I drop to one knee and the room goes silent.
Nan sobs into a tissue.
Aspen stares down at me, completely stunned.
“Aspen,” I say softly. “Six months ago, Nan locked us in this bookstore, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
