Page 99 of The Best Book Boyfriend
My dick twitches at the memory of having her in my hands like this before. I’ll never get bored of her thinking up these sexy scenarios for us, though, of course, by the time we’re done, it’s always my name on her lips, and hers on mine. And of course, I’ll keep dishing out five-star reviews for every book that gives us new inspiration in the bedroom.
“Are you laughing at blown away?”
“Yes. And Dickie? Seriously?”
“You are so immature,” I say as she fits the final lightbulb. I lift my palm to take hers in mine, guiding her down the steps.
“But you still love me?” She gives me the fright of my life when she jumps from the second last rung, throwing her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist, but there’s never a doubt that I wouldn’t catch her.
“I certainly do.” I pull her into my chest and meet her lips with a deep kiss that shows her just how much.
We signed a lease, together, on this space a few months ago, the same week Kara moved into my place permanently. We’ve barely spent a night apart since we confessed our feelings, and one weekend we went hill-walking and by the time we came down we’d made a plan. Sell her house, lease a second venue, collaborate on an events space with a plan for community classes and workshops during the day, then drinks, music and comedy at night. Then carry on living our very own Happy Ever After.
Some might say it’s too soon, but I know more than anyone how fleeting life can be. When there is joy you lap it up, when there is love you hold on tight, and when there is hope you go after it together.
When I set her down, she walks over to the stage, turning pirouettes across the dancefloor, and I watch closely, still in awe I get to call her mine. We step up onto the stage together and I flip the switch that sparks our glowing neon sign to life.
Moonshine Bar. Her idea and a completely perfect choice. I move behind her, sliding my arms around her waist, kissing the slope of her neck as we admire our handiwork.
The place finally looks finished now we’ve fitted the lampshades over the bar and in the booths that line one side of the room. The electricians have completed their work on stage lighting and a sound system, and I’ve asked a local band to come in and do a soundcheck for us tomorrow. It’s been a labour of love, a lot of late nights either grafting here or at our dining table researching sound proofing, flooring choices, entertainment licences. I’ve loved every minute because we’ve done it together, and here we are at the finish line.
Tonight we have Friday Night Dinner with our friends. These nights look a little different from the days when I first met Kara, back when she’d spend them crying on the floor eating takeout around her coffee table with Megan and Hattie. We were weirdly nervous to introduce our two groups of friends, but they hit it off so well we ended up turning Friday girl’s night into a bigger monthly dinner. According to the group chat, Megan and Rob are already enjoying stiff margaritas. Hattie will be on her way soon, no doubt ready to rip him to shreds when he brags about his latest dating antics.
There’s just one thing I still need to do before we head home to join them. I hold Kara tighter to my chest, if that’s even possible.
“I think we should have a wedding here,” I whisper into her ear.
“That issucha great idea,“ she says, pulling away. She stands at the front of the stage with her hands on her hips and I can see her brilliant brain flooding with ideas. “We could offer exclusive hire and partner with a couple of local food trucks on catering. We could put a photobooth over near the doors. Ooh, we could—”
“No, Kara—” I interrupt. “Weshould have a wedding here.”
When she turns around, I’m exactly where I want to be, on one knee in front of her, holding out the ring I’ve been carrying until I found the perfect moment. This moment. Kara’s hands come up to her face just in time to catch her shriek.
“Oh my God, is this really happening?” I can see the sweetest little tears building and she fans her face with her hands. “Oh shit, shit, shit. Sorry.”
“Kara...” I reach one hand out to take hers, pulling her closer towards me. “My heart woke up the moment I first saw you in my coffee shop, and every day since you’ve helped it grow. Meeting you is one of the best things that has ever happened to me and I never want to be anything other than yours. You made me the happiest man on the planet when you asked me to be your Book Boyfriend, but now I’m asking, can I please be your Book Husband?”
“Yes. YES!” she nods, wiping away her happy tears with one hand while I slide the ring onto her finger. “Oh my God, yes.”
She pulls me up to stand, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I love you so much, I can’t wait to be your wife.”
We kiss for a while, there under the stage lights, until she pulls away and whispers into my ear, “Hey Luke, is the CCTV on in here yet?”
“No, why?” Her hand unbuckling my belt is the only answer I need.
Kara
I once said that the only thing better than curling up in bed with a good book is finding a little window seat in a cute cafe and meeting a new Book Boyfriend for the first time. Turns out I was wrong. It’s this.
It’s lying here on the floor, the warmth of a thousand suns washing over me, partly from the stage lighting, partly from the heat of my boyfriend who has just collapsed on to my chest, well-fucked and utterly spent. I could bask in this glow for hours.
Did I say boyfriend? Sorry, I meant fiancé!
I am pretty sure I’m in shock. Not because I’m flat on my back naked on the stage of our new bar and events venue, it was inevitable that it would happen at some point, but becauseI’m engaged.
Me, Kara Wilson, the girl who thought she’d never love a real man again yet met the most incredible one who has made her feel loved every minute of every day since. And now he’s going to be my husband? I would never have written this story for myself.
I stop stroking Luke’s hair and lift my hand to admire my ring more closely. I got so caught up in the moment listening to his proposal that I didn’t really pay attention to it and my heart stops when I see it properly.
