Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
"We’re calling it a day," Ian declares, wrapping an arm around Sage's waist and pulling her in for a lingering kiss.
"Gross," Beckett comments with a mock grimace, holding his throat as if he might actually retch. "Save that for when you get home."
"You don’t have to tell me twice," Ian replies with a playful grin, intertwining his fingers with Sage's and giving a quick wave to everyone. "Goodbye, everyone!"
“It’s time for us to leave, too,” Mom announces, adjusting her purse on her shoulder. "Let's give the lovebirds some space." She enfolds Eloise in a warm, lingering hug, whispering that we’d better come for a visit soon before pulling back with a smile.
Mom gives me a hug. “She’s perfect,” she whispers. “I got the living room set up. Don’t screw this up.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I give her a quick kiss on the cheek as they head out, finally leaving us alone.
“Looks like we’re finally alone,” Eloise says with a laugh that echoes through the empty house and lights up every shadowed corner. I take her hand and pull her into the living room where Mom left us champagne. My heart pounds a thousand beats per second, and I can barely breathe. This is it.
I glance at her as we step into the room. She’s a little wild-looking, her cheeks flushed and hair sticking to her neck in damp tendrils. “About time,” she declares before she notices the bottle of champagne and two crystal flutes sitting on the coffee table. “What’s this?”
“Come here,” I lead her over to the sofa and pull her down to sit next to me on the sofa. My palms are damp, and I’m trying not to look as nervous as I feel. She cocks her head, a questioning smile on her lips, and lets me pull her close. “I love you, baby.”
“I love you, too.” She smiles up at me as I hold my breath and pull the velvet box from my pocket. Before she knows what’s happening, I slip the ring onto her finger.
Eloise stops short, looking at me with shock in her eyes as she swallows. She blinks at me, her gaze traveling from my face to the diamond, then back to my face.
“What—” she starts to ask, but the question catches in her throat as she sits next to me, frozen.
“I think we’ve dated enough, so it’s time to move on to planning the wedding.” Not what I’d originally planned to say, but it just works. Kind of like us. “I can’t wait to make you mine forever.
Her mouth opens, closes, opens again, and a new light enters her eyes.
“I can’t wait either,” she finally whispers before dragging my face down for a kiss.
"We should probably dive into planning our wedding," I say with a playful grin spreading across my face. "I've been working my ass off to knock you up, and I fully intend to keep at it until I finally succeed."
I am elbows-deep in fresh laundry when I hear the deep rumble of Atlas’s truck pulling up in the garage. He left a couple of hours ago, saying he had a quick errand to run. While I’m curious as hell, I didn’t question him.
I tuck a stray curl behind my ear just in time to see Atlas burst through the door with a cardboard box in his arms.
“Close your eyes,” he says. Curiosity cuts through me, and I quickly squeeze my eyes shut. I feel Atlas step close to me. “Okay, open them.”
I peel my eyelids open and glance down to find an oversized-pawed Rottweiler puppy with floppy ears and huge brown eyes staring up at me. “What—”
“Surprise!” Atlas hands me the puppy, and I realize he’s way heavier than he looks. “I know how much you miss Winnie. I thought you might need a new little buddy.” The puppy wiggles in my hold, so I lean over to place the warm, furry bundle of adorable energy on the kitchen floor.
"The breeder named him Albert," Atlas mentions as we both crouch down to play with the adorable pup. Happy tears fill my eyes as Albert's damp nose nudges against my hand. "We can change it if you want," he suggests. But I'm too occupied with pulling the puppy onto my lap, my laughter a mix of hiccups and sobs as his tongue tickles my chin, his ears flapping as wildly as his tail.
"I adore his name." I cuddle the wiggly little bundle close to my chest while Atlas leans back on his heels, watching us with happiness lighting up his eyes.
In that instant, Albert paws his way straight into my heart.
"Want to head to the pet store to get some things for our new little addition?” Atlas asks, a playful glint in his eyes as he gives the little puppy a pat on the head.