“You said we were going on a date,” she whispered with a laugh.
“This is a date.” He had the nerve to actually look confused.
She laughed. Boogie wanted to get her out of the house and go on an actual date because they had yet to do so due to all the chaos. She figured they would do dinner, a movie, something like that. But of course, Boogie had other plans.
“You don’t do anything half-assed, do you?” she asked with emotion building in her voice.
“When it comes to you? No.” He grabbed her left hand. “Baby, listen, I know this is all happening fast, but to me, it feels like a lifetime. Since I was a lil nigga, I knew what it was wit’ you. I don’t see any use in delaying this anymore. I want to have the honor to be your husband. What do you say? Will you be my forever? Will you marry me?”
Sweetie’s head swam, and she swooned. Boogie must have anticipated that, because his strong hand held her in place. When he was sure she was steady, he let go and opened the ring box. It was breathtaking and huge and something every woman would love to wear every day.
“Yes,” she whispered around the lump in her throat. Things were moving fast, but it felt right. She was comfortable. Sweetie spent so much of her life being unhappy, and that ended the moment Darren DeLuca re-entered her life. The answer, to her, was obvious. “Yes,” she said louder this time and with more confidence.
Boogie slid the ring onto her finger and stood, dwarfing her with his height.
“Thank you,” he murmured as he gazed into her watery eyes.
“For what, baby?”
“For making me the happiest man in world. I love you so much, Sweetie Bishop.”
“And I love you, Darren DeLuca.”
They shared a kiss that would lead to her being bent over the gummy worms if she didn’t pull back, which she did.
“Why this place?” she asked as she looked around.
“Needed some place as sweet as you, love. You like it?”
She grinned before she twirled around. “I love it.”
“Good. It’s yours.”
“What?” she whirled around to face him once again.
“It’s yours. I bought it for you.”
Sweetie beamed. “It’s so cute, Boogie. Thank you!”
She hugged his neck and kissed all over his face. She couldn’t believe she owned this little spot. She’d never owned anything before. As if he could sense her mind overthinking already, he said, “Don’t worry. People already work here and run the place. All you gotta do is sit back and collect the funds and get some free candy whenever you want.”
She giggled. “What even made you think of this?”
He shrugged. “A sweets shop for my sweets shop.” He patted her pussy through her jeans and bit his bottom lip.
She giggled and slapped his shoulder. “You’re too much.”
“There’s more for you over by the register.”
Her eyed widened. “More is crazy, Boog. This is already so much.”
Still, she was curious, so she walked over to the register and picked up an envelope. When she opened it, she gasped. It was a welcome packet for The Riptide cheerleading team. She looked up at him with wide eyes.
“Congrats, baby. You done leveled up to the big leagues.”
“No fucking way!” She jumped up and down as she stared at the packet in front of her. He chuckled, and she dove into his arms. This time, she would kiss him and allow it to take them as far as they wanted. Hell, she owned the place. If they wanted to spread their love all over the place, then they damn well would. There was absolutely nothing to stop Sweetie from getting everything she wanted in life anymore, and for that, she was eternally thankful.
Ten Years Later . . .
