Page 145 of Let It Breathe
Drawing back to survey the room, she saw all her favorite people stepping out from behind barrels and stacked boxes of wine. Her mother slipped out of the storage room, crying and laughing as Reese’s dad held her hand. And Sheila—there she was with Eric’s arms around her, looking teary-eyed and truly happy for her. And Larissa with Dr. Wally and?—
“About fuckin’ time.” Axl stepped forward, grunting as he grabbed Reese’s hand. “That’s a damn nice ring. How much did that set you back, son?”
For crying out loud. “That’s rude, Grandpa.”
“What?” Axl huffed. “I’m an old man. Ain’t got time to pussyfoot around asking twenty questions when one will do fine.”
Reese gritted her teeth, then glanced at the ring. “Oh.” She hadn’t really looked at it before, but it was gorgeous. Platinum, or maybe white gold—she knew zilch about jewelry. The sparkly-but-modest diamond was set low so it wouldn’t snag on things. Two smaller diamonds flanked it, and Reese couldn’t believe how perfect it was.
“It belonged to my grandmother,” Clay said softly. “I’ve had it all these years, hoping that someday, I could put it on your finger.”
“Oh my God, Clay. I love it so much.” Another round of tears rolled down her cheeks. Leave it to him to instinctively know much a family heirloom would mean to her. “And I love you.”
“Good.” Grinning, he embraced her again. “Because you’re about to be stuck with me for life.”
“And, cut!” Kate’s voice sliced through another quick clatter of applause. “I think we’ve got what we need.”
“Wait, what?” Reese drew back again, confused. “That was for the film?”
“Not exactly.” Clay laced his fingers through hers. “Like you said, the documentary was pretty much buttoned up, but Kate said something at that last meeting about wishing she had a happy ending to tack onto it.”
“Clay called me afterward.” Kate stepped over to join them. “He told me he wanted to propose to you, and asked if that might be the happy ending we needed.”
Reese drew a breath, glancing at him with a fresh wave of fondness. “No.”
“No?” He blinked in confusion. “We don’t have to use the footage if you want. Kate offered to film it so we’d have it for ourselves, but if you don’t want it in the documentary, she promised we don’t need to?—”
“No, I mean this isn’t the ending.” Smiling, Reese wrapped her arms around him again. “It’s just the beginning.”
Another round of applause rolled through the room, but Reese barely noticed. All she felt was Clay in her arms, the magic of the moment, and the perfect sensation that she’d gotten exactly what she’d wished for, even if she’d never dared to hope for it.
“I love you,” she whispered again.
“I love you, too.”
Behind them, Axl cleared his throat. “Someone want to let in that damn camel? He’s been butting his head at the door, trying to get in here. How about I just open the door?—”
“Stop!” Reese shouted the words at the same time Clay did, then laughed. “No head-butting crotches at our engagement,” she added. “But we’ll go outside and see Leon.”
Her family and friends moved aside, making a path for their exit. Reese drew in a joyful breath, glancing at Clay as they walked toward the door where the curious alpaca peered through the glass.
Glancing at Clay, Reese squeezed his hand. “You ready for this?” She wasn’t talking about petting Leon, and her new fiancé seemed to know it.
He squeezed her hand back with a smile. “With you, Reese, I’m ready for anything.”
* * *
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Whooo, that scene choked me up a little. Not gonna lie, I got teary-eyed writing an epilogue nearly fifteen years after I first wrote the book. Don’t you love when things work out like they did for Reese and Clay?
Up next, you just got a peek at two major characters from the next story in the Can’t Have Hearts Club series, About That Fling. Jenna McArthur is about to have one magical, passionate night with the one man she’ll learn is completely off limits . . . no matter how hard they fall for each other. Keep reading for an exclusive peek at chapter one!
Your exclusive peek at About That Fling
Jenna McArthur wrapped her lips in a tight “O” around the slender shaft, sliding it back along her tongue as she gently began to suck.
She drew back with a sigh, choking a little on a mouthful of Diet Coke as she reread the note she’d pulled from her lunch bag.
