Page 79 of The Sexy Part
I search her expression, unsure of her intentions.
“Cooper, I don’t want to break up. You’re the best thing to ever happen to me.”
I fold her into my arms, relieved and so thankful. I push her hair back from her face and cradle her cheek. “You’re the best thing to ever happen to me too.”
“All this time I’ve been trying to get back to my old life when what I really needed was to build a new life. I’ve been doing that, bit by bit, but always with one foot out the door. I’m staying for you, for my job at Love Junkies, for my new friends Harper and Mackenzie, and for this wonderful town that’s been so welcoming.”
“You don’t have to give up your dreams for me. If you want to live in the city, I will too. I can commute for work.”
“But it’s more than an hour commute!”
“You’re worth it.”
She throws her arms around me. “Oh, Cooper.” She pulls back to look at me. “I’m happy here, but it’s nice to know you care enough to move for me too.”
“I love you.” My voice chokes.
“I love you too.”
I frame her face in my hands and kiss her tenderly. When I pull away, she wipes tears from her cheeks. She laughs. “Happy tears, I swear. Should we celebrate with ice cream?”
I nuzzle her neck, and she shivers. “I’ve got a better idea.”
She smiles. “I can’t wait.”
Mom and Dad step outside. I’m instantly embarrassed. How much of thiswomen gifting me presentsscene did they see? They were probably watching through the large front window.
Mom spreads her hands wide. “Do we have a happy ending?”
Rowan nods. “I’d like to keep my job with you permanently. It seems like there’s room to grow. Maybe even be partner one day?”
“I’d love that!” Mom exclaims, giving her a hug. She pulls back, smiling. “Besides, I wasn’t going to accept your resignation.”
“What do you think’s in all these wrapped presents?” Dad asks. “They’re about the same size.”
“Open one,” Rowan says, smiling. I have a feeling she coordinated the gifts too.
I rip open the paper, slide the top off the box, and find tissue paper. Under that is a shot glass with a four-leaf clover on it that says Lucky Shot.
“Ha!” Dad says. “For Clover Park, I get it.”
Rowan smiles. “Clover Park is lucky. At least it is for me. I thought you could display it at the bar. Spoiler alert—they’re all the same.”
Dad tosses me my shirt. Mom gathers the shot glasses. “Go on, you two. Enjoy the day.”
“Get outta here,” Dad growls and winks at Rowan.
“Bye!” Rowan says happily.
We walk hand in hand, on our way to the next awesome part of our lives. Together.
Epilogue
Rowan
It’s the end of December, only a few days away from Owen and Shayla’s New Year’s Eve wedding, and Cooper and I are on our way to Happy Endings to celebrate Hailey’s birthday. She’s become like a mom to me, so I’m giving her my mother’s pearl necklace. Dad’s private detective tracked the jewelry down in a pawnshop and had it returned to me. Once the pawnshop owner found out they were stolen, he gave them up. At least that’s the story Dad told me. I’m keeping the diamond earrings for myself. In fact, I’m wearing them tonight. Why save nice things in a drawer? I’m enjoying every day like it’s a special occasion.
Cooper pulls into the back lot of Happy Endings. He’s wearing a navy suit, no tie, with a white button-down shirt open at the collar. He’s so handsome. I’m wearing my favorite little black dress with a lacy black shawl.
