Page 83 of Wild for You
“I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to do this, and I don’t think I’ll find a better time than right now.” He helps me sit up, scooting me to the table's edge.
“Jack, what are you—”
I gasp when he lowers himself, very slowly, down on his knee. A flush of heat rushes to my cheeks because the man knows how sexy I think his one-legged squat is.
“Gwenneth Pierson, from the moment I laid eyes on you in that dark bar, I knew there was something special about you. You challenge me in the best ways, and I can’t get enough of you. Even when we fight, there’s no other person I’d rather make up with.” He smiles at me adoringly, then opens a small light pink velvet box revealing the most beautiful pearl ring I’ve ever seen.
“I found this pearl near the coral reef that day on the island, and even though I had no idea what would come of any of this, I took it as a sign from the universe that I’d one day give it to you when I asked you to marry me. So, baby, what do you say? Will you marry me and make me the happiest man in the world?”
“Jack … I …” I gasp as I take the velvet box from him, studying the gold-banded pearl ring. It’s so delicate and unique and completely perfect. “How did you keep this … all this time?”
“I stowed it in my camera bag,” he says. “I’m really glad you made Maggie go back for it.”
“Of course, I’ll marry you!” I say as I help him up, pulling him into a hug. “I can’t imagine a life without you, and I don’t want to try.”
“She said YES!” Jack yells as the door opens and all our friends come rushing in.
I throw my head back in laughter when I see Sam holding a video camera.
“Are you seriously live streaming this right now?” I pin Jack with a glare, and he shrugs. “Baby, this is the happiest day of my life … so far. Why wouldn’t I want to share it with all two million of my fans?”
I shake my head and laugh because it’s such a cocky Jack move, and I wouldn’t expect anything less.
I look around at my best friends huddled together in the small examination room as tears flow down my face. In my wildest dreams, I never could’ve predicted anything about this moment, but somehow, it’s better than anything I ever imagined. I’ve learned so much about what’s important in life. Jack’s shown me how to slow down and have fun, to enjoy the little moments just as much as the monumental ones, and for the first time in my life, I don’t care what anyone thinks of me. I’m happy to be figuring it all out with Jack by my side.
Who knows where any of this will lead? All I know is I’m in love with a wild man, and we’re open to whatever adventure life brings us next.
EPILOGUE
Gwen
Three years later…
“Stay right there. Don’t move.”Jack calls behind the small camera he’s just set up in front of us. My muscles strain as I try to hold a wiggly Archie up for our Sunday family photo. It’s something Jack started as soon as our oldest child, Indie, was born, and he’s extremely proud of our streak.
Whether it’s rain or shine, we’re living with or without internet, sick, mad, sad, or otherwise, Jack Manning will take a photo of his family every single Sunday without fail.
Sparky, our mini Australian Shepherd, runs between my legs, chasing a blowing leaf around my feet.
“There we go,” Jack hits the automatic timer and scoops up Indie in his arms, tickling my favorite giggle out of her. I hear the faint shutters click, indicating he took a photo burst—good, because my ankles are killing me, and it’s hot as sin out here in the Costa Rican sun.
I rub my swollen belly, stretched so tightly I don’t know how I’ll make it another month without popping.
“Perfect! That’s a good one, definitely in the top fifty Sunday family photos!” Jack slides the camera off the tripod and strides up to me, planting a gentle kiss on the top of my head. “You look so beautiful pregnant. You know that, don’t you?”
I laugh. “Who knew the man had such a breeding kink?” I joke.
“Baby, it’s not a breeding kink. Though I’m not going to lie and say I don’t enjoy breeding.” He waggles his eyebrows. “It’s a Gwenneth Manning kink.” He rubs his large palms over my swollen belly, and his tender touch feels so good on my poor, stretched skin. “I’m obsessed with you.” He kisses me again, this time on the lips.
Archie kicks his legs to get down, and I finally relent, setting his chubby barefoot feet on the warm sand. A breeze blows, sending my hair flying in every direction, and Jack takes the opportunity to tuck a wild strand behind my ear.
We’re living in Costa Rica now, mostly full-time, traveling back to Chicago to see our friends every chance we get.
I knew that life with Jack would be amazing, but nothing could’ve prepared me for all the adventures we’d share. It’s comical, really, thinking about how much my life has changed. As soon as I left Éclat and begged Jack to start a production company with me, we took our talents international.
There was a whole new wave of inspired survivalists after Jack’s video. I convinced him to submit his video to an indie documentary festival, and we won first place. After that, everything changed. Jack and I started our own Youtube production company, signing new content creators and coaching them on how to scale their platforms with Jack’s proprietary method.
Together, we teach people how to connect with their audience and monetize their platforms—of course, that’s where I come in.
