Page 23 of Curvy Love

I stand and pull her to her feet. “Which way to your bedroom? We’re getting naked and not putting on clothes again until tomorrow.”

We’re halfway down the hallway, when she pauses. “What about the cake?”

I laugh. “It has to thaw so we have time to play a bit before it’s time to eat.”

I might just want to smear it onto her stomach and eat it off her body.

epilogue

Laurel

I swear I’m practically levitating as I get out of my car and walk to Alex’s taco truck. We’ve been together for a little over three months and I’ve never been happier. He’s so good to me, so fun and his family is crazy and wonderful. I’ve pretty much moved into his house and I get to fall asleep in his arms every night and then wake up to his mouth on my neck or between my legs.

If someone had told me when I moved here that I’d meet the love of my life in the form of the hot taco guy, I wouldn’t have believed them. Crazily enough as amazing as the sex was, that’s not even the best part of our relationship. It’s not his tacos either. No, the best part is being in a partnership. There’s not power play between us. It’s all give and take. He makes me feel like the very best version of myself, and that is pretty damn amazing.

There’s not a line at the moment because it’s a couple of hours after lunch and he’ll be closing up shop soon. I step up to the window and spot his youngest sister, Isabel, first. She smiles widely at me. We’ve become close friends since Alex and I got together and I adore her.

“Hey Laurel,” she says brightly.

There’s a bang and then “Shit!” comes from her right. Then there’s Alex, holding his head and wincing as he peeks out the order window. “Hey babe.”

I’m trying desperately not to laugh. “Did you hit your head?”

Isabel is not even trying to hide her amusement. “He got so excited when he heard your name that he stood up too soon and knocked his head on the counter.”

He disappears from the window, then comes out the back of the trailer heading straight for me. His kiss is wild and passionate and nearly knocks me off my feet.

“What was that for?” I ask.

He cups my face. “I missed you today.”

“The two of you are gross,” Isabel calls from the trailer.

Alex and I both laugh.

“I have good news,” I say.

“You did it? You’re all done now?”

“Yes! You are looking at a fully degreed woman here.”

“I never had any doubts,muñeca, you are brilliant.”

“Not brilliant, but thank you for saying so.” I’m happy, but this is also bittersweet. Graduating means going back home to Austin. Alex is so close with his family, I hate to ask him to leave. He’s told me repeatedly that he’s coming with me, but we’ve never made any definitive plans.

“I have news too,” he says. He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a folded piece of paper. He hands it to me and I unfold and read.

My heart pounds and my stomach flutters. It’s a license for a food truck in Austin, Texas. I lower my hand, looking away from the paper and see that Alex is now on one knee in front of me.

My jaw drops. Isabel squeals from the trailer. And I start crying because I can’t ever seem to process any emotion without the assistance of my tear ducts.

“What are you doing?” I ask him.

“Laurel, you are the love of my life and it would make me the happiest man in the world if you’d become my wife.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a ring. There’s no box, just a ring. “This was my abuelita’s and she wanted you to have it.” He holds it up and I gasp because it’s stunning.

A platinum—or maybe white gold or silver—band with a solitaire diamond flanked by two smaller pearls. It’s gorgeous. Unique and perfect.

“YES!” I bend over and cup his face and kiss him. “I love you so much.”

---