“It really was,” I say when nothing comes.
“How are you feeling?” He presses his lips against my crown.
“Incredible. Better than…” I have to rein myself in or I’d be screaming it. “I’m on top of the world.”
“Good.” His eyes sparkle, delighted. “Because this was only the beginning, baby. You’ve got a lifetime of this ahead.”
I bury my face in his chest to hide another goofy smile and my burning red cheeks. “You sure about that, Daddy? What if I turn out to be a brat?”
“Then you’ll bemybrat, and I’ll love you all the same.”
My head snaps up as the word leaves his lips. Did I mishear it? Did he just say he loves me?
“Y-you…?”
He nods. “I do. With all of my heart.”
I curl tightly into his arms, overwhelmed by the thought, but overjoyed all the same.
It’s crazy to think all of this started with a broken-down car that left me furious.
Now? I can’t picture a future without him in it. Don’t want to, either.
Because I’m his, and he’s mine.
And nothing will ever change that.
EPILOGUE
BOONE
Six Months Later
White sand underfoot. Palm trees overhead, casting long shadows to spare us from the heat. The ocean’s deep blue water disappearing into the horizon. And cocktails with tiny umbrellas, served in coconut shells . . .
This is the life.
The only thing that can make it better? Callie, lying on a beach towel in a pink polka-dot bikini that tests the limits of my self-control. Her hand on my thigh, with a sparkling ring on her finger.
Seeing as that’s how we find ourselves, I must be the luckiest man on the planet.
“So, you finally made it out to the beach. Is it everything you dreamed it would be?” I take a sip of my drink.
She tilts her head to the side, eyes narrowing in thought.
“No.” She shakes her head. “It’s a lot better.”
“And why’s that?” I slip my hand over hers, grazing the ring to make sure it’s real.
Yeah, this is our honeymoon. But I’m still in total disbelief that she said yes. That we had our wedding. That she went from being my princess to being my wife. I’ve got a feeling it’ll never truly sink in.
Part of me doesn’t want it, either. I’d rather live in my blissful state of whimsy.
“Because the last time I wanted to come here, I didn’t have you to dream about.” She smirks.
And just like that, I’m ready to forget about the beach and spend the next two weeks hidden away with her in the hotel’s bed.
“You’ve gotta be careful with what you say, princess,” I say through gritted teeth. “Otherwise, I might forget we’re in public.”
