Page 48 of A New Chapter in Rosewood Beach

“Who’s it from?” Alexis asked slyly, her tone making it clear that she knew exactly who it was from.

“Terrence.” Vivian felt herself blush. “He’s asking me if I’m free to get some pastries with him right now at Seaside Sweets.”

“You should!”

“Are you sure you don’t need anything else?”

“Mom.” Alexis looked her mother dead in the eye. “You need to live your own life too, you know.”

Vivian smiled. “You’re right.” She stood up and kissed both Alexis and her baby on their foreheads. “I’ll see you two adorable ones later.”

She left Alexis and Grayson’s house and made her way down to the beach, where Seaside Sweets bakery was located. On her way, she texted Terrence to let him know that she was soon to arrive. Her heart was as light as a feather as she stepped inside the sweet-smelling bakery and heard the bell jingle over her head.

Terrence was already there, waiting for her at a table by a window. He waved to her and she approached him eagerly.

“Hi,” she said a little breathlessly as he stood up and gave her a hug.

“So glad you could make it,” he said warmly.

“Me too.” She grinned, and they shared a sweet kiss which made her heart beat faster.

“I bought you a lemon-filled doughnut,” he told her as they sat down together. “I know it’s your favorite.”

She looked at the fluffy doughnut on the plate in front of her, which had been dusted with powdered sugar. “It is my favorite! How did you know?”

“You mentioned it once.”

She noticed that the tips of his ears were pink, something that she found incredibly endearing.

“Besides,” he continued, clearing his throat. “Considering what it is I’d like to ask you, it’s important for me to start knowing your favorite things.”

“What are you talking about?” she asked slowly, cocking her head to one side.

“I… well, I have something to ask you.”

She laughed. “Yes, that I already knew. You just said that.”

Terrence cleared his throat again and clasped his hands on the table. “Vivian, I’ve known you for a while now. I’ve been interested in you romantically for a while now too. I’ve known what I wanted for a long time, and I want you to know that I’m more than willing to be patient while you figure out what it is that you want.”

Vivian held her breath, wondering what he was about to say to her.

“But I want to keep being honest with you, and the truth is that I know I’ll never find another woman like you—so smart and full of life and fun to be around. I’ve grown exceedingly fond of you, Vivian, and I—well, I was wondering if you would consider officially becoming my girlfriend.”

Vivian’s heart nearly burst with happiness when she heard his words. “Yes,” she said immediately, the word spilling out of her without hesitation. “Absolutely, Terrence.”

His face lit up. “Are you sure?”

She reached for his hand across the table and squeezed it tightly. “I’m more than sure. I’ve grown to be exceedingly fond of you too, Terrence.”

They shared an adoring smile, and she felt gratitude fill her like a glow. She was incredibly thankful that she didn’t have to accept that her life would be boring and unexciting during her coming years.

Instead, the future looked so much more exciting than she ever could have dreamed.