Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Dario presses another kiss to my mouth to silence me, then mentions, “We can hire a team to help you with all the work.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and stare at him with all the love I feel. “Thank you.” I lock my legs around his waist and pull him closer. “You don’t think my idea to open a soup kitchen is stupid or too big a project to take on?”
“No.” Picking me up, he carries me to the bed and lays me down on my side of the mattress while continuing, “I think it’s an amazing idea. I just don’t want you working yourself to death.”
“Okay.”
Walking around the bed, he throws the covers back and lies down beside me. I crawl beneath the blankets and adjust them over his body before I get comfortable.
He turns so we’re lying face-to-face, then says, “You’re one hell of an amazing woman, Eden.”
I brush my fingers over the five o’clock shadow on his jaw. “You’re even more amazing.”
We’re quiet for a moment, just staring at each other, then I say, “Remember when I said I was worried we’d break up and I wouldn’t have anywhere to go? I’m not worried anymore. I know we’re going to make it as a couple.”
“Yeah? What made you change your mind?”
“You,” I whisper. “You’ve gone above and beyond for me and Tyrone, and seeing how kind and caring you are made me realize I can trust you not to break my heart.”
He shifts a little closer until there’s only an inch between our faces. “I love you with all of my heart, Tesoro.”
“I love you too, baby.”
We continue to stare at each other until he drifts off to sleep. Careful not to wake him, I leave the room to switch off all the lights and grab Bella from where she was sleeping on the couch.
Heading back to the bedroom, I climb into bed again and wait for Bella to find a comfortable position by my feet before I scoot as close as I can to Dario without waking him.
I take a deep breath of his scent and when my sight adjusts to the dark, and I can see him a little clearer, I keep staring at his handsome face as I grow sleepy.
I don’t know what I did to deserve this man but thank you.
I send the prayer out into the universe, and with a heart filled with love and happiness, I fall asleep.
Epilogue
Eden
(One year later…)
My life has been a whirlwind of excitement, happiness, love, and hard work.
Emphasis on the hard work.
The soup kitchen has taken up so much of my time this past year, I’m surprised Dario hasn’t lost his shit yet.
The man is a saint.
It’s the one-year anniversary of when I first opened the soup kitchen’s doors to the community, and I now have a team of over twenty people working for me.
I had to give up the assistant manager position at Skylar’s restaurant, but luckily she understood. I think it was for the best because we’ve grown closer as friends, and I would hate for work to get in the way of our friendship.
“Jesus,” Sherrie gasps as she stares at all the food containers being carried in by a catering company. “It looks like we’re feeding an army.”
I let out a chuckle. “We are. Back to work.”
Sherrie’s been helping out whenever she can, and I always make it worth her time.
We continue setting up the coffee and pie section, and when we’re done, I head to the other side of the hall to make sure the food’s right.
The catering company was Dario’s idea. He also paid a hell of a lot of money to foot the bill.
“Eden, stop doing all the work and let the staff handle it,” Sherrie says. “Dario asked you to meet him out front.”
“I don’t have time! The doors are going to open at any moment.”
“Then you better hurry.”
Letting out a sigh, I rush to the exit, and the moment I walk outside, surprise brings me to a sudden stop.
There’s a huge crowd off people filling the parking area, all here to celebrate the successful year we’ve had. In the middle of the crowd is a small stage decorated with twinkling lights and flowers.
Dario takes the steps up to the stage then speaks into a microphone. “Can the beautiful lady right at the back please come forward so I don’t look like an idiot in front of all these people?”
Jesus.
As I begin to walk, the crowd parts for me, and wherever I look, I see a familiar face.
Emotion wells in my chest, and I have to fight not to cry, but when I see our friends and Dad standing at the foot of the stairs, I can’t stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks.
I take the steps up to Dario, who’s giving me a loving smile.