Page 127 of Snow, Ice, and Spice
My entire body is buzzing, I’m so overwhelmed.
I nod to the scoreboard. “I thought you weren’t into grand gestures. You could have just called me,” I tease as I get my bearings back.
A soft smile tugs at her lips. “I changed my mind. I kind of like them now.”
That tightness in my chest eases. That invisible fist around my heart is gone now.
“I love you, Maya. I want to be with you.”
She looks shocked and relieved all at once. “You do?”
“Without a doubt. You’re all I’ve ever wanted.”
That gorgeous smile I’ve been aching to see appears. It feels like a Fourth of July fireworks show in my chest.
I push back from the partition and scramble toward the stands. When I look up, I see her running down to me. Around us fans cheer, but I don’t hear it. All I can hear is my heart thudding in my ears.
She’s in my arms a half-second later. I kiss her like it’s the end of the world. When we break apart, I rest my forehead on hers and catch my breath. I savor the feel of her in my arms, the taste of her on my lips.
“That’s one hell of a grand gesture you pulled off.” I have to yell, everyone around us is cheering so loud. “I’m impressed.”
Her melodic laugh is heaven to hear. She cups her hands over my cheeks.
“Being in love with you has that effect on me,” she says. “I’ve got more up my sleeve too.”
My chest feels like it’s about to explode in the best way. “Is that so?”
She bites her lip, nodding. “Like, years and years’ worth.”
I grin and kiss her. “Good thing we’ve got forever together.”
Epilogue
6months later
Maya
“Seriously, Ingrid. I can’t thank you enough for letting me use your cabin as a workspace.”
I’ve got her on speaker as I pack the last few orders of the day in the guest bedroom.
“No thanks necessary. I’m hardly ever there now that I’m spending most of my time in San Diego.”
A pang of guilt hits. “I still can’t believe that you weren’t mad when I quit as your PA to focus on my earring business.”
Ingrid chuckles. “How could I be mad that my best friend was finally pursuing her dream?”
I glance around the bedroom, which is cluttered with boxes, shipping labels, packing materials, and dozens and dozens of earrings. Despite the chaos around me, I smile, thrilled at the business I’m building.
“I can’t believe I’m actually doing it. I have my own earring line.” I let out a squeaky laugh.
“Believe it. Maya Babes Earrings is gonna be an empire, I can feel it. I mean, the day you launched your website, you sold out in three hours. Do you know how amazing that is? On top of that, your earrings are in Sadie Skinner’s boutique. You’re a superstar already.”
I beam at how my best friend pumps me up. I finish sealing the last package and drop it into a tote bag on the floor. I count four bags total packed with orders for me to take to the post office first thing Monday morning.
Phone in hand, I head out to the kitchen for a glass of water, stopping by Mr. Pudding’s bowl to feed him. “I still owe you for helping me think of the name for my business.”
“You can pay me by setting aside a pair of those emerald chandelier earrings you just finished designing.”
