Page 72 of An Inconvenient Plan
He wrapped her hair around his fist and smirked. “So you love my dad.”
She smiled a little, still warmed from the conversation. “He said you all love me, so I said it back.”
He used his grip on her hair to pull her close, gazing into her eyes, asking her, no,demanding, she say the same love words to him.
She wrapped her hand around the back of his neck and gazed into his eyes, letting him know that she knew what he wanted, and she also knew that he knew she wanted the words from him.
His lips twitched, but his gaze never wavered. Two warriors engaged in an epic staredown. Neither of them giving an inch.
“Hailey.”
“Josh.”
“I love you,” they said at the same time.
Then they grabbed for each other, kissing like they’d just discovered the best thing in their life. Because they had.
Epilogue
Three days later, Hailey got the heads-up from Josh that it was official—he was now the owner of his dream bar. She scooped up Rose, tucking her into her purse, and left work to make the short walk down the block to Garner’s. He wanted to celebrate with her, and she’d cleared her afternoon schedule to be there for him.
Josh was standing outside, facing in her direction. Rose started barking excitedly. Her dog had fallen hard for Josh just like Hailey had.
“I know, Rose. He gives the best strokes, doesn’t he, with those big man hands?”
Rose got even more excited, nearly jumping out of the purse. Hailey quickly clipped her leash on and set her on the sidewalk. Rose raced ahead, straining at the leash, barking the whole time. Hailey had to hurry so Rose wouldn’t pull her collar tight and choke.
Finally she realized what had Rose so worked up. Josh was holding a small black dog with a round face, huge dark eyes, and pointy ears.
“Josh! You got a dog!”
He grinned. “Meet Max. He’s a rescue. They think part shih tzu, part Chihuahua. I thought Rose might like a pal.” He set Max down to meet Rose.
Hailey watched in delight as their leashes wound around each other while they sniffed each other like crazy. “So cute! I think they’re already buddies.” Both of their tails were wagging.
“Rose needed her equal,” Josh said.
She smiled up at him. That was what he’d said about her. “Yes. A warrior needs her equal.”
He held her by the jaw, tipping her face up, and gave her a quick kiss. “Look up.”
She did. “Ah! Josh! Omigod, I can’t believe it!” The sign didn’t read Garner’s Sports Bar & Grill anymore. He’d replaced it with a new name in deep red—Happy Endings. He’d named his dream bar after her Happy Endings Book Club, her business mission, her life’s mission. He’d named his dream bar for her.
Her lower lip trembled, her eyes hot. “You…Josh…I’m so touched.”
He held her by the chin. “This sign has been tucked in the basement storage for weeks while I fought to nail you down—”
“You can’t nail a person down. You can love them. You can be in a relationship with them, but you can’t…Josh?” She looked down at her hand, which he’d just closed around a small black box. Her heart raced, her mouth dry.
His dark eyes intent on hers, he held her hand closed around the gift. “Hailey, I wanted to show you that I had a strong foundation, owning my own business. I’ll never be rich, I can’t offer you a jet-setting lifestyle, but—”
“You’re a wonderful man with a big heart buried deep inside. I’ve seen it and it’s good. I don’t need a glitzy lifestyle. I only think money is important so you’re not destitute.” She went on tiptoe to whisper in his ear, “My mom couldn’t make rent when I was a kid and we ended up homeless twice. I like money for security, but it’s not how I measure someone.” She gazed into his eyes. “You’re measured by what you do and this…” She stared at the sign again. “This is such a wonderful gesture. I’m still stunned. Your dream bar named after me.”
His voice was rough and gravelly. “The dream isn’t nearly complete without you in it. Permanently. I love you and will spend the rest of my life making sure you have a happy ending with me.”
She flushed and laughed a little too because he was super-romantic, but he’d also slipped a sexy innuendo in there too.
He grinned. “Marry me.”
