My story ends here, my little author. Congratulations. I’ll let you relish in the real,fictional Noah whispers, and I want to cry.
Noah kisses the ring on my finger. “A little birdie told me you were now a fan of orange.” A whimper escapes as he kisses my neck. Tears push through my eyes, but I’m not sad. I’m happy. Elated. Content. I once thought I didn’t deserve a passionate, fiery love; I thought I deserved sensible and secure.
But I don’t want sensible and secure and bland.
I want passion and romance and the unexpected.
I want Noah Ashley Prewitt forever.
The entire room claps and applauds. Branda drags Noah to his feet, bear-hugging him before throwing herself at me. My brother and Sam are next, and finally, Ashton.
He pulls me into a tight, drunken hug. “Esme, taking a chance that you’d help me find Noah is the best decision I’ve ever made.” He releases me from the hug but doesn’t drop his arms. “I’m so happy for you, sister.” And with that, he winks and stumbles into Isla’s arms.
I arch a brow at her, but she smiles timidly, shrugs, and mouths, “Congratulations” before walking back to the dance floor with Ashton.
We continue to dance, drink, and sing in a mass celebration, and as word of our engagement got out, the entire town has found its way here, including Sheriff Hodges, who busies himselfkeeping Crazy Colt’s drinking in check while Branda busies herself ogling the law enforcement officer. Isla and Ashton dance, but I don’t miss the way Isla keeps glancing at Sheriff Hodges.This town might get a little more interesting…
Once Noah and I slip out the back to get some fresh, humid air, I throw my hands up. “You knew this would happen tonight!”
He wears a boyish guilty grin and shrugs. “Like I said, I’ve had that ring on me or near for a long time just waiting for you to catch up with me.”
I laugh with disbelief before pointing my finger into his chest and backing him up against the outside wall. “You weren’t lying when you said you were a little too impatient the other night when you were apologizing for getting frustrated at me that I got lost in my book and ignored you for most of the day.”
He grabs my hand and spins us around until he’s holding that hand above my head and pressing his sweaty body into mine. “I go after what I want, and I want you. Forever.”
“You have me,” I say breathlessly as he runs his fingers down my raised arm. “Forever. And again, I promise to try really hard to escape my reverie in favor of real life with you.”
“Because I’m better than the fictional version of me you wrote, right?”
I grin and mean every word that I say. “Noah Prewitt, there isn’t a fictional character around that measures up to the reality of you. Lane lied to me. A real man is better than a book boyfriend, not the other way around.”
“You got that right, sweetheart.”
And then a thought occurs to me as I get lost in thoughts of marriage with Noah. “Where will we live?”
“Here, if you want. I’m a writer. I can work from anywhere. I will gladly live in that camper with you, though I’d prefer if we relocate it. All the rocking that will happen after I marry you might not sit well with your parents.” He winks and moves totrail kisses down my neck and onto my shoulder. I didn’t realize the night could get hotter. But I’m talking to Noah Prewitt, so who am I kidding?
And now… I’m engaged. His roguishness is hitting a little differently. A little more, how do I word this? Expectantly.
Not married yet, Esme.
I push the thought aside.
“What about buying a place here in town? Would you be interested in that?”
“Absolutely, sweetheart.” Noah kisses along my jaw. “We can start looking tomorrow after church.”
“When do you want to get married?” I ask, closing my eyes to deeply feel his lips against the other side of my neck.
“As soon as you’ll let me, Esme.” He pulls away and catches me off guard with his serious expression. “We can go to the courthouse or we can plan a big affair.”
“As much as the courthouse sounds preferable, this town will skin me alive if I don’t give them a wedding.”
Noah laughs. “You still have a little people-pleaser streak in you, don’t you?”
I shrug. “It’s okay in healthy amounts. And plus,” I wrap my arms around his waist and pull him back to me, “I want that with you. To have a man who loves me fiercely to be waiting at the altar for me. I want to walk down the aisle to you while wearing a white dress. I want to exchange vows with you in front of the town.”
Noah shivers as I slip my hand under his shirt and run my fingers down his spine. “So, we’ll plan a wedding,” he rasps out. “And it’s gonna be the quickest planning anyone has ever seen.”
