“I didn’t want you to give up a relationship with her.” Bryan winced as he shifted in the bed. He touched the side of his head and grimaced.
She gently palmed his chest. “Stay still. You’ve got a concussion, a torn muscle in your shoulder, a third-degree burn on your hand, and smoke inhalation.”
“But you said you love me? I’m really awake, right?”
She chuckled. “You’re awake, and, yes, I love you.”
He leaned his head back and smiled. “I love you too. I wanted to tell you, but I think I fell asleep while you were on the phone with your mom, and then the next morning, you were packing. I—” He took her hand in his good hand, rubbing his thumb across the back of it. “I knew you needed to find your voice, but that wasn’t something I could do for you.”
She shook her head. “No, you couldn’t have. It was something I needed to do. Something I’d needed to do for a long time. I thought standing on my own two feet meant being alone, but it doesn’t. It means being strong enough to lean on someone I love.”
She braced her hand on the bed and lowered her lips to his. “I love you, and when you don’t look like you’ve fought a giant, I plan to kiss you until you believe it. I will never leave you again. You have my promise on that. You’ll come first from now on.”
His eyes slid closed. “I love you too.”
The last thing he felt before drifting off again was the touch of her lips to his.
Chapter 32
Two weeks later, Bryan was feeling much better. Elise was now having to fuss at him for trying to do too much too soon. She popped his hand as he went to grab one of the boxes of calendars.
Once word got out that there was a fireman calendar in the works, there were enough preorders that Elise could put a rush on the shipping, and it was looking like they were going to need several more shipments.
“I can lift a single box of calendars,” he said.
“No, you can’t. The doctor said six weeks…at least. And maybe more. You’re not lifting anything until we know for sure that your shoulder is healed. Got it?” She pointed a finger at him. “Don’t make me ground you.”
He laughed. “You can’t ground me.”
She set her hands on his hips, lifted on her toes, and kissed him. “Yes, I can.”
“I’m injured. That’s not very nice.”
“It’s very nice.” She narrowed her eyes and tapped him on the nose. “You’re injured.”
Carlos shuffled into the station pushing a hand truck stacked with boxes. “Listen to the woman. I need you healed so I can put you back in the hospital.”
“I keep telling you, you would have done the same thing,” Bryan replied.
“And I keep telling you that would be different.”
Mason Andrews, Bryan’s brother-in-law, lumbered in holding Jack as Bryan’s sister, Holly, and his mom, Debbie, walked next to him. “It wouldn’t be different,” Mason said as he set Jack down.
The little boy ran to Bryan. “Uncle Bry.” He danced around Bryan’s feet with his arms raised.
Elise caught the slight downturn of Bryan’s lips. Her sweet fireman hated not being able to pick up Jack and set him on his shoulders. She lifted the little boy, and he threw his arms around Bryan’s neck.
Bryan caught her gaze, and the gratitude shined in them. “Hey, buddy. I’m sorry I can’t pick you up.”
Jack twisted in Elise’s arms and hugged her. “Thas okay. I like her too.”
Mason shook Bryan’s hand, and Holly hugged him. “We just got back into town. We weren’t missing this for the world,” she said.
Bryan’s family had driven in as soon as they’d received word about his injuries and could get everyone packed. His family had stayed for a few days after the fire and had just returned for the big calendar reveal.
Elise had enjoyed meeting them. Mason was huge and sweet. Holly was a blast. Feisty, funny, and they’d instantly connected. She was like the sister Elise never had. Bryan’s mom was a hoot. Talk about fussing over someone. She fussed over Bryan even more than Elise, and Elise had to admit Debbie might have gone overboard a few times.
“This party starts in an hour, right?” asked Mason.
Elise nodded. “Yep, and judging by the number of people standing outside, we’re going to sell out.” They were getting noisier too, and the station was alive with Gregg, Harris, Carlos, Derek, Liam, and some of the officers that had protected them after the beach house was destroyed.
Snickering, Holly covered her mouth. “I can’t believe you got him to pose shirtless.”
Bryan rolled his eyes. “Shut up. I wanted to keep my job.”
“You wanted to show off your chest,” she shot back.
“I have to agree with her.” Mason laughed.
Groaning, Bryan shook his head. “You really don’t have to agree with everything she says. My sister is notorious for being wrong.” He leveled his eyes at Holly.
Sighing, he rubbed his face. As much as he tried hiding it, it was obvious to most everyone that he was still recovering. It didn’t take a lot to wear him out.
Elise put her arms around his waist. “Hey, I’ve been standing on my feet for hours, and this party starts in an hour. Mind keeping me company while I rest a second in the lounge?”
He leaned down to whisper, “I know what you’re doing.”
She shrugged, dropping her arms and taking his hand. “We’ll be back in a little bit.” Elise winked as they sauntered off for the lounge.
“See you in a bit,” Holly called.
They slowly walked to the lounge and shut the door. It was a nice break from the chaos in the bay. They crossed the room, and Bryan eased down onto the middle cushion.
Taking a deep breath, he leaned back. “I guess I didn’t realize how tired I was.”
Elise curled up next to him and combed her fingers through his hair. “Yeah, me too.”
He rolled his head. “You just want me to take a rest.”
“You need it.”
“Maybe.” He kissed her. “I love you. Thank you. For all of this.”
Setting her cheek against his, she nodded. “I love you too. Thank you for being you.”
Epilogue
Eight months later…
Bryan caught Elise around the waist and lifted her in the air, swinging her around. “You did it.” He was so proud of her. She’d worked so hard and stepped outside her comfort zone, opening her studio and displaying her photos.
“Only because of you,” she said.
He set her feet atop his and swayed to the music playing at her first gallery showing. “No, sweetheart, this was all you.”
Circling her arms around his neck, she shook her head. “No. I won’t take all the credit. If you hadn’t been so encouraging, it would have never happened.”
“It would have. You’re so talented, and I’m so proud of you.” He glanced around the building. “This room is filled with people who love your work as much as I do.”
A tiny giggle popped out as she set her forehead against his chest. “I honestly can’t believe it.”
She couldn’t believe it? Oh, but he could. After his beach house was repaired, they’d been roommates and dating while she bought the old record shop building, renovated it from top to bottom, and moved into the apartment.
Her relationship with her mom was still…tense. More than once he’d held Elise while she cried, but she’d stood her ground. It was part of the reason why her family, along with his family, was in attendance. Aside from a little surprise he’d planned.
The calendars had sold like gangbusters. The station had brought in enough that the city had encouraged the police department to consider doing one. All those jabs about being half-naked on a cover had come back to bite them now that they were considering doing something similar.
“You’re amazing, Elise.”
She leaned back and lifted her gaze to his. “Only because you’re beside me.”
He swung them around and cau
ght the deejay’s eye, giving her the signal they’d discussed before the event started. The music tapered off, and Elise took his hand to leave the dance floor, but he rooted himself in place.
Turning, Elise tilted her head. “What are you doing?”
He pulled her back, kissed her, and then dropped to one knee.
Both of her hands flew to her cheeks as her eyes widened. “What?”
“I have loved loving you the last eight months. I love your laughter, your kindness, your courage, and your heart. I’d consider it an honor if you’d be my wife.” He paused, taking the ring from inside his tux pocket. “Elise Richards, will you marry me?”
For a second, she seemed so stunned that he wondered if she’d heard a word he said, but then her head slowly began moving up and down. “I’d love to. Yes, yes, I’d love to be your wife.”
As he slid the ring on her finger, he stood and wrapped his arms around her. “I was really hoping that would be your answer.” He touched his lips to hers to the sound of an entire gallery of people cheering.
He’d risked his heart, and she’d rescued it.
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Looking for a new series? Turn the page to read the first chapter of Her Pretend Billionaire Boyfriend.
Sneak Peek! Her Pretend Billionaire Boyfriend Chapter 1
Tristan Stone swiveled his chair away from the boardroom table and looked out over the Seattle skyline. The sun glinted off the windows of the Space Needle while a white-capped Mount Rainier stood in the background. He wished he was there, on the top of the mountain, and not dwelling on the board meeting that had just ended. He didn’t want to think about the dozen or so men and women who’d argued about which direction his grandmother would’ve wanted him to take the cruise line he’d inherited.
He missed her.
Find someone to love, sweetheart. Not all women will want you for your money. His grandmother’s words were like a megaphone in his head. He could still feel the aged hand touching his cheek and see the wrinkled face smiling up at him. Even while she was sick, she’d been thinking of him.
He’d tried to convince her he didn’t feel lonely, but she could always see through him. Three months, and not a day went by that he didn’t miss her laughter and wisdom.
“Tristan!” Grayson Matthews’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Are you listening to me?”
“No,” he said without taking his eyes off the skyline.
“Nice. Real nice.” Grayson huffed, pulling a chair directly in front of him and sitting backward in it.
Tristan leveled his eyes at him. “What?”
“That board meeting was out of control. Why didn’t you do anything?”
Why? Because he didn’t want to do anything. His grandmother wasn’t even cold, and vultures were circling. “My head isn’t here.” He had tasks to finish for his grandma. One of which was taking a cruise on the last cruise ship she’d designed so he could spread her ashes over the ocean.
Grayson’s icy blue eyes softened. “Buddy, I know you miss her, but if you want this company to continue, you’re going to have to bring that alpha dog reputation you’ve created to the table.”
Alpha dog. Tristan snorted. “I know, but this is different. I’m not buying up a company. This was her company. A company…people…I promised to take care of.” He was used to taking over companies, bulldozing over anything that got in the way of making it successful and turning it into a thriving business. This was different. He’d made a solemn vow to take care of her employees, among other things. Things he wasn’t willing to tell his best friend.
“Listen, man, I know you were close to her, but…”
Tristan stood and raked a hand through his dark-brown hair. “I’m not selling this company. I’ll buy out everyone’s shares if I have to. I don’t care if I go bankrupt keeping it.” He closed his eyes. He wasn’t just close to his grandmother. Other than Grayson and his Aunt Felicia, she was the only person he trusted to love him for more than just his money.
The chair squeaked as Grayson stood. “Maybe you should take a vacation. Get out of here, get some fresh air, grieve. Come back when you’re ready to make some hard decisions.”
Grayson continued when he didn’t respond. “Seriously, take one. Two weeks. What can possibly happen in two weeks without you here? It’s been three months, and nothing’s changed yet.” Grayson grasped his shoulder and turned him around. “You took care of her the last eight months of her life. I know it had to be hard on you. Taking a break will help.”
Tristan did like the idea. The stress of taking care of a loved one was worse than he ever imagined. The last month or so, his grandma didn’t even know who he was. She’d look at him with a blank expression most of the time, and when she was even remotely coherent, she’d call him by his father’s name, Thomas.
He had promised his grandma that he’d take a cruise and spread her ashes. May as well get it done. He could check that off the list. “Maybe you’re right.”
Grayson smiled and pulled out his phone. “Ohhh, I’m going to need you to say that again. I want to record it and replay it when you’re being arrogant and egotistical.”
“I’m not arrogant or egotistical. I’m just right all the time.” Tristan chuckled.
His friend’s eyes widened. “Let me take care of it. I’ve got the perfect place in mind. Hot women, warm sand, cool clear water. I can even picture it. The two of us, lounging on some tropical oasis and sipping fruity drinks that come in pineapples.” He pulled up the search engine on his phone. “Cheesy, but tasty.”
Tristan rubbed his knuckles down his jaw. “No, I want to go somewhere no one will recognize me. I want to be left alone.” He wanted to be Tristan. Not Tristan Stone the billionaire. He wanted to feel normal. For once, he wanted to be just one of the guys. An idea began to form.
“You might try Mars, then. You’re a thirty-one-year-old billionaire, and you’re in every socialite paper known to man. And with that baby face of yours? Good luck.” Grayson laughed.
“I could grow a beard.” The words popped out of Tristan’s mouth. What? He hated beards. They were itchy.
Grayson lifted an eyebrow. “You? Dude, you tried that remember? A five o’clock shadow nearly had you in a straightjacket.”
That was true, but if it could give him some anonymity, maybe it was worth it. “I’ll try again.” And if he went undercover on the cruise ship, maybe he could get a better understanding of the company.
“Okay, if you think you can.” Grayson’s lack of confidence didn’t help.
Tristan tugged on his dark-gray suit coat, straightening it. “And I want to go alone. I think I need it.”
His best friend’s face fell. “What? But I’m your wingman, your right-hand dude, your mate, your—”
“I know. Normally, I’d want you to come, but I really think I need some time alone.” Plus, he didn’t want Grayson to know what he was really planning.
Grayson eyed him and then huffed. “Fine, but you owe me a paradise getaway with hot women.”
“Aren’t you dating that model? What’s her name?” Tristan wracked his brain. Grayson had a new girlfriend every five seconds. “Gwen Hanover.”
He shrugged and looked at the floor. “Nah, she was okay, but she had this weird thing where she smacked her gum.”
“You broke it off because she smacked her gum? I met her twice. Neither time was she chewing gum.” He’d never met a guy so afraid of commitment.
“Yeah.”
Tristan shook his head. “One of these days, you’re going to have to evaluate a woman on more than her quirks. Granted, I didn’t think she was good for you, but she wasn’t horrible either. Not nearly as bad as that Heather woman.”
Grayson grunted and shivered. “At least I date.”
“I date. I date a lot.” Tristan was also lo
nely. A lot. The women who were attracted to him were typically interested in two things: his money or their fifteen minutes of fame from being associated with him. It happened enough times that he’d stopped asking anyone out.
A thin dark eyebrow went up, and Grayson pierced him with a look.
Tristan shook his head. “Fine, so I don’t. I have to go. I’ve got some plans to make.”
“Okay, but don’t forget, you owe me.” His friend pointed a finger at him.
“Whatever.” Tristan grinned and walked out of the room. He needed a beard, a single room, and passage on a cruise ship.
* * *
Belle Evans’s leg bounced as she waited to board the cruise ship. Never in her wildest dreams would she have ever thought she’d win a cruise and ten grand. All her life, she’d figured those contests were hoaxes. Who sticks their name in a box and actually thinks they’re going to win something? She’d hung up on the radio guy twice before he’d convinced her she’d won.
She wasn’t the only winner, either. At least twenty others had won, or that’s what she was told by the cruise people when she got her tickets. They’d be picking out random paying passengers too. Something about fixing their image and using them as advertisement by getting photos and feedback at the end of the cruise. If it weren’t for the ten grand that came with the trip, she wouldn’t be going. It’d given her the ability to get ahead on her mom’s nursing home payments.
Her phone buzzed, and she checked it. Ugh. Laura, her best friend since high school who was now her ex-best friend had been calling incessantly all morning. How many times was she going to call her? She needed to catch a clue and leave her alone.
Their relationship had always been like that though. Laura would do something to hurt her, and for some reason, Belle would always forgive her. This was different. She’d done something that Belle couldn’t just brush off this time. It was time to stop thinking about Laura and get on with her cruise.
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