Page 135 of Bourbon Bliss
“I forgot to mention, my parents called this morning,” he said. “They’d like to come visit this summer. What do you think?”
“I think that sounds very nice,” I said. “We can finally introduce them to my parents.”
“Exactly,” he said. “I figured you’d be on board.”
I loved James and Darlene, George’s parents. We’d taken a trip to Charlotte so I could meet them several months ago. Fortunately, James hadn’t held a grudge about me beating him at fantasy football. Much like my own father, I’d found common ground in sports statistics with James Thompson. We’d had an excellent visit, and I was excited for them to come see us. To see Bootleg Springs.
“So June Bug, I’ve been thinking about something.”
I opened my eyes. He grabbed me by the waist and pulled me around, so I faced him, straddling his lap. I let my legs rest on either side of him and wrapped my arms around his neck.
“What have you been thinking about?”
“Do you remember the first time we met out here?” he asked.
“Of course I do. That’s not something a girl is likely to forget.”
He smiled. “You liked what you saw that day?”
“It was very impressive.”
“Why, thank you,” he said with a wink. “I’ve just been thinking about the first time I saw you in Moonshine. And then when we sat in this hot spring together. How I had no idea I’d just met the love of my life.”
I slid my fingers through the back of his wet hair. “I’m the love of your life?”
“You bet you are. I’ve been crazy stupid in love with you almost from the start.”
“I can’t say that my love has rendered me stupid, in a literal sense, but I’m very much in love with you as well.”
He smiled again. “I think it’s time I asked you something.”
My heart skipped and my breath caught in my throat. I understood the subtext behind his words. There was only one question he could be referring to.
“Yes,” I said quickly.
“I didn’t ask you anything yet.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said. “I jumped ahead.”
“That’s okay, I know your brain moves fast.” He laid his large palm against my cheek. “But I’m still going to do this right and ask you properly. I already spoke to your parents.”
“Okay.”
“June Tucker, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
I looked into his brown eyes, feeling the deep connection between us. “Yes.”
He brought me in for a kiss. Slow and sweet and delicious. His hands moved up and down my back and the warm water lapped around us.
My heart felt so full, I almost didn’t know how to contain it. This man was everything. Intelligent, steady, easy-going, and fun. And he understood me in a way no one ever had. Not my parents, or my sister. He didn’t see the weird girl. He just saw June. And he liked what he saw.
It was an amazing thing.
He’d taught me to unlock a part of myself I’d been convinced I didn’t have. How to handle the emotions that had often felt foreign and confusing. His love and patience had guided me into a mutually satisfying relationship, the likes of which I’d been convinced I’d never have.
I loved him so much.
“Oh no,” I said, pulling away.
