Page 131 of The Emma Special

Allison grabbed the papers and smoothed them out against her chest. “It’s a private party, and you’re not invited.”

James turned back to Emma with wide eyes. “Panty party?”

Emma nodded vigorously. “Yep. I’m in love with my husband, and the girls want to help me seduce him.”

James closed his eyes and swallowed hard. “You don’t need any help, Mrs. Hottie.”

She brushed her hand down the side of his face. “I’m sorry I was stubborn. You’ve been so good to me, and I’ve been holding onto faults that don’t belong to you. I’ve been pushing you away because I was afraid, but…” She pressed a kiss on his forehead. “I’m not afraid anymore.”

James breathed through the racing of his heart. Emma loved him too, and it was everything he’d ever prayed for. “Are you happy as my wife?” he asked quietly so not to be heard by the crowd of friends standing around.

“You bet your bottom dollar, I am.”

James pulled the ring he’d taken from the bathroom counter out of his pocket and held it between them. The light shining from a nearby LED lamp glinted off the diamond.

Emma gasped. “My ring! I thought I’d lost it, and I was silently freaking out.”

“I thought you’d left it behind because you…” He squeezed her hand, not wanting to voice his doubts.

Emma shook her head. “No. I’m not leaving. I don’t want to leave.”

James tipped his chin toward the ring. “Would you be my wife for the rest of your life knowing your worth isn’t tied up in how much you can do to earn your keep?”

Emma raised her right hand with a cheeky smile. “I want to be your wife, your whole wife, and nothing but your wife as long as I live, so help me God.”

“Good.” James took her left hand and slid the ring onto her finger. “Let’s do this once and for all.”

“Got it!” Allison, on the chair beside them, hunched over the book club journal where she wrote furiously. “Your new engagement anniversary has been recorded.”

“You may now kiss the bride!” Daniel shouted.

James took Emma’s hands and lifted her to her feet. “M’lady?”

“You better!” Emma wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in.

His lips collided with Emma’s in a rush. The desire they’d both been fighting crashed like waves against a cliff as their friends cheered and clapped.

When they broke the kiss, Emma held up her left hand and showed it to the girls. “I’m engaged!”

Summer gave Emma’s shoulder a little shove. “You’re married, sweetheart. Embrace it.”

James brushed the pad of his thumb along her jawline and marveled at his wife’s glowing happiness. “Emma, you will never understand how much you mean to me. You help hold me together in so many ways. You are a gift that I will cherish forever.”

She pressed her lips to his again before whispering, “I can’t wait to show you how much I love you. It’s going to take forever!”

“Excuse me!”

Everyone turned toward the barking voice behind them. The new coffee shop owner stood beside an ornamental statue of a giraffe. His pressed, black shirt was expertly tucked into high-rise black jeans.

“I’m going to have to ask you to leave. You’ve been entirely too rambunctious.”

Summer tried and failed to stifle a chuckle. Katie rolled her eyes.

Allison was the one who stepped up to speak. “We were just leaving anyway. This place is a joke.” She turned and snatched up the book club journal and stalked toward the exit.

James grabbed Emma’s hand. “Actually, I have a surprise for you at home. Can everyone come over for pizza?”

“Did you say pizza?” Katie whirled to face him, causing Allison, Summer, and Daniel to stumble against each other like a cartoon train.