by Aleah Barley
Babies and bunting were still years in the future, but Jack had started dropping hints a few weeks earlier that they might get a puppy soon. A little dog with big brown eyes and a good-natured disposition.
He made a quick lunge, too fast for her to combat with the tongs, and managed to snag a hot dog.
“Thanks for working the grill, sweetheart.” He slid the hot dog into a bun before wiping greasy fingers clean on his T-shirt. “Where’s the mustard?”
Mustard. Honey began to sputter angrily.
Now that Jack had a hot dog, everyone was going to want one. They’d never get anything done if they spent all their time hanging around, eating meat and drinking beer.
Then she glanced up and saw the dopey grin on Jack’s face.
She was never going to stop loving him.
“Grand theft hot dog. You better watch out. There are cops crawling all over this place. One word from me, and they’ll arrest you.”
“Uh-huh.” Jack ate the hot dog. “I think there’s about to be a crime wave.” He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a hug. When he kissed her, his mouth tasted like burned meat. “Tell me you love me.”
“With all my heart.”
“Enough to marry me?”
The world stopped. Honey’s heart fluttered excitedly in her chest. “Of course—”
Jack kissed her again, his mouth covering hers and silencing her squeal of delight. When he finally came up for air, his features were split by a wide grin. “I don’t have a ring, but there’s something I think you’ll like even more.” He slipped a small object into her hand.
It took her a moment to identify the cool metal in her palm. A car key.
“The Volvo Sport. I bought it from Logan. It’s going to be delivered tomorrow. Or—” He wiggled his eyebrows, daring, enticing. “We could drive over to his house right now. Take her for a spin.”
A hot rod and a sexy man.
“Perfect.”
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to my biggest fan (and sister), Helena, who has read everything I’ve ever written…no matter how terrible.
Thanks to my mother, who taught me how to live life to the fullest.
Thanks to two of the most supportive, encouraging people I know, John and Henry. You have always believed in me.
Thanks to Ruth, my awesome, amazing, incredible editor. I appreciate everything you do.
Conor—if you made it to the end of this book, then I owe you dinner. Codeword: yummy.
About the Author
Aleah Barley has lived all over the United States, but she recently moved to Motor City. She shares a studio apartment with a big fluffy cat who is constantly trying to use her computer for his own nefarious purposes. You can find out more about her by visiting her blog: aleahbarley.blogspot.com.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
