Page 104 of Dreaming at Seaside
“Nineties,” Bella corrected him.
“Whatever.” Evan headed for the front door.
Whatever, said with a smile. Music to Caden’s ears.
Evan stopped halfway to the door and returned to Bella’s side with a serious look in his eyes. “Bella, I’m sorry for lying to you about being at the campground that day. I was afraid I’d get in trouble, and…well, I won’t lie again.”
Confusion flashed in her eyes. Caden realized he hadn’t even had a chance to tell her everything that Evan had told him yet.
“That’s okay, Evan. I’m glad you did the right thing in the end.”
“Cool. Thanks.” He headed inside.
“Thank you,” Caden said to Bella. “I have a lot to tell you, but I’m proud of him for apologizing. I never asked him to.”
“He’s an amazing kid, Caden.”
Bella unfurled her hand and read the note on the card. She fisted her hands in Caden’s shirt. “A get-out-of-jail-free card? Did you steal this from a Monopoly game?”
“No, but I copied the idea from the game, sort of.” His chest swelled with love for her.
“Don’t youevercompromise your beliefs for me. I love you for your convictions.”
He kissed her softly. “Oh, sorry. That was meant for me. In case you decide to use your fuzzy handcuffs and forget to respect our safe word.” He arched a brow and she laughed.
“Turn it over,” he whispered.
She looked down at the card.
“Read the other side.” He held his breath as she flipped over the flimsy card. He felt her heart beat harder against his chest. She looked from the card to him, then back again.
“Is…?” Her eyes welled with tears again. “Is this a joke?” She read the words again.
Marry me.
“I’ve never been more serious in my life. I love you, Bella. I knew it the moment you fell into my arms that first night. I want to be your YMCA guy. The guy who does or doesn’t fix your deck, depending on your mood. I want to wake up with you in my arms and I never, ever, want another frigging break from you. Will you marry me, Bella?”
“But…Evan?” Her lower lip trembled.
“I’m not asking you to marry Evan, but if you’re worried that he will be upset, he won’t. He was ready to clobber me for messing things up with you. I have only one stipulation.”
Her eyes widened.
“I don’t ever want to be not-a-husband with you. I want the real deal. You in a white dress, me in a monkey suit. I want you to have the wedding you secretly dreamed of.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks. “How do you know I’ve dreamed of anything like that?”
He touched her dress. “Anyone who kept a dress like this, dreams of a real wedding. Please don’t make me wait any longer for an answer.”
“Yes, Caden. I want to be your real wife, and never, ever be your not-a-wife.”
Please enjoy a preview of the next Sweet with Heat novel
Hearts at Seaside
Chapter One
THERE SHOULD BE a rule about drooling over construction workers, but Jenna Ward was sure glad there wasn’t. She sat on the porch of the Bookstore Restaurant, soaking up the deliciousness of the three bronzed males clad in nothing more than jeans and glistening muscles that flexed and bulged like an offering to the gods as they forced thick, sticky tar into submission. Their jeans hung low on strong hips, gripping their powerful thighs like second skins and ending in scuffed and tarred work boots. What red-blooded woman didn’t get worked up over a gorgeous shirtless man in work boots?
