Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
"What about the wedding planner?” James asked, eyes sparkling as they met mine. “How are you feeling about our new business model now that we’ve been going nearly a year?”
I thought about how my wedding planning had evolved over the past year. These days, I worked with fewer couples, but more intensively. James and I helped them build solid foundations before the wedding, rather than just creating perfect surface-level events. If there were problems that would have normally summoned the wrath of the “Wedding Wrecker,” we helped address them early. Sometimes, that meant bringing in a counselor named Derek, who had been one of James’ former employees.
"No regrets," I said honestly. "I think this is the best of both our worlds. I still get to plan amazing weddings, and you get to make sure people aren’t walking into a huge mistake.”
"Wow,” he said softly. “No regrets, huh? Even if it means dealing with my cynical ass questioning everything?"
"Especially then." I wrapped my arms around his neck. "Your cynicism balances my optimism. We make a good team."
"Team?" His hands settled on my hips. "Is that what we're calling it? I was thinking of myself more as the rakish boss with the sexy side-kick."
"Call me a side-kick again and I’ll make the phrase literal.”
“Understood,” James chuckled.
“And I was going to say we have a partnership, but someone still hasn't properly proposed..."
His eyes darkened. "Maybe I'm waiting for the perfect moment."
"I thought we agreed perfect was overrated?"
"Some things are worth getting right." He pulled me closer. "Even if that means making you wait a little longer."
"James Carter, are you telling me you have a ring hidden somewhere?"
"Emma Marshall, are you trying to ruin my surprise?"
I kissed him instead of answering, loving how he immediately deepened it. One year together, and still every kiss felt like coming home.
My phone buzzed, making us both groan.
"That's probably Maggie. She has been calling me multiple times a day while she gets ready for the new shop in Savannah. She’s a wreck."
James smiled. "Still can't believe she's expanding already."
"All thanks to Marcus's investment firm." I checked the message. "And... yep. She says to tell you she's still mad you wouldn't let her call it 'Wake the F*ck Up Coffee.'"
"The FDA would never approve it. I saved her a headache."
"Since when do you care about approval?"
His hand slid higher under my shirt. "Since a certain wedding planner made me want to be a better man."
"Smooth talker." But I melted into him anyway. "We really should prepare for this consultation..."
"You’re right. I’ve got a… rather large problem I need to handle before our clients arrive.” James took my wrist and guided my hand to his lap.
“You weren’t kidding,” I said, gripping him through his jeans. “That’s a huge problem. How do you suggest we handle it? Were you thinking amputation?”
James shivered. “Not funny.”
I slid my palm across him, loving how he groaned against my neck. “Or… were you thinking about a more hands-on approach?”
“That one. Or… mouth-on. Or pussy-on. As your business partner, I feel I should let you take the driver seat.”
“I’ve always been bad at making choices.”
“Fine. You’ve twisted my arm properly, I’ll just have to settle for the sampler platter. Give me all three.”
I laughed against his neck, planting a few kisses there and loving his scent, as always. "The clients—"
"Won't be here for fifty-eight minutes." He stood, lifting me with him. "You had better get started, Miss Marshall. I have been known to enjoy long samples, and we’ve got three to experience.”
“Is that right?”
He carried me toward the couch in the corner of our shared office. “I can never get enough of you. Fuck,” he growled. “I’m addicted, Em.”
“Good. You had better be.”
Fifty-six minutes later, we straightened our clothes and reviewed our notes one last time. James's hair was beyond help, but somehow he made it look intentional.
"Ready?" he asked as our clients approached the office.
I squeezed his hand. "With you? Always."
He smiled in that way of his that still made my heart skip. "I love you. Even if you won't let me call it 'Wreck-Prevention Services.'"
"I love you too. Even if you almost ruined my career twice."
"You're never going to let that go, are you?"
"Nope." I kissed him quickly. "Good thing you have the rest of our lives to make it up to me."
His eyes went soft. "Promise?"
"Promise."
32
EPILOGUE - JAMES
The ring box burned a hole in my pocket as I watched Emma work her magic.
"I just don't know," the bride-to-be was saying. "What if we're moving too fast?"
Emma caught my eye across the table, her lips curving slightly. We'd been doing this long enough that I knew my cue.
"Let me ask you something," I said. "What scares you more—the idea of marrying him, or the idea of losing him?"
The woman—Jessica—twisted her engagement ring. "Losing him. Definitely losing him."