River

by E. L. Todd

  “Neither,” he said. “We’re just celebrating.”

  “If these pie-eating contests become a regular thing we’re going to get fat.” We finished our small dinner then waited for the pies to come.

  “Not if we keep throwing them at each other.” He had a wicked grin on his face. His eyes sparkled brighter than they ever had before. His hair was slightly messy because I ran my fingers through it too many times when we were in bed. His t-shirt was old but it still made his body look nice.

  “We’re going to be banned from this place.”

  “I always leave a generous tip.”

  I nodded. “Now it’s all making sense.”

  River watched me closely, like he was searching for something.

  “What?”

  He kept smiling. “I used to be jealous of the guys and what they had. But now they should be jealous of me.”

  My eyes softened.

  “I have what I’ve always wanted, and I’ve never been this happy.” His fingers brushed mine before he pulled them back to his side of the table.

  “I’m happy too.” Hiring River was the best decision I ever made. I realized that I found Prince Charming instead of settling for a stuffy CEO.

  The waitress brought the pies. “Alright, good luck.”

  We stared at the pies then each other. River slowly moved his hand to edge then hit the timer.

  We both dug into our food, but River just shoved his pie into my tin.

  “You’re such a cheater.”

  He took a few bites then shoved the entire pie into my face. Bits of whipped cream got on my clothes and in my hair. I gasped as he crossed the line and wiped everything out of my eyes. Then I threw his pie in his face. It made a noticeable splat noise as it collided against his cheeks.

  He pulled it off and wiped the goo off his face. “Is this a pie-eating contest or just a food fight?”

  “You tell me.” I scooped a handful and threw it at him.

  “That’s it, brat.” He moved from his seat then joined my booth. “I’m going to get you good.”

  “This is so crossing the line!” I threw more at him.

  River moved to the floor next to the table and got on one knee. Then he pulled a box out of his pocket then quickly opened it. “I want to throw pie in your face for the rest of my life. Marry me.”

  I was just about to throw more food in his face but my hand stopped and everything fell into my lap and I gasped. “Oh my god…”

  I could distinguish his smirk even though his face was caked with cream. “You going to say yes or what, sweetheart?”

  “Oh.” I extended my right hand. “Of course.” Then I realized I gave him the wrong hand. “Wait, this one. Is it the right one…?” I pulled it back again.

  River snatched it then slipped the ring on. “Thank you for saying yes—even though it took you long enough.”

  “I’m sorry.” I moved into his arms on the floor. “It’s such a beautiful ring.”

  “I’m glad you like it.”

  People in the restaurant clapped and whistled.

  “Best proposal ever.”

  He smirked as he pulled away. “I knew you would like it.”

  “I love it, River.”

  “So, you’ll have kids with hippie names with me?” he asked.

  “Waterfall and Mountain,” I said. “Should we start making them?”

  “That sounds like an excellent idea, fiancé.”

  “I like the sound of that. Fiancé. But I prefer husband.”

  “Soon enough, sweetheart. Soon enough.”

  Also by E. L. Todd

  I'm in love with Skye Preston.

  The Skye Preston.

  The daughter of the wealthiest businessman in the world, and the most beautiful woman I've ever known. Her looks don't compare to her golden heart. And her heart doesn't compare to that big brain of hers.

  But I could never tell her.

  Because we've been best friends for twenty years.

  She has a jerk for a boyfriend, and I'm not the only one who thinks so. The rest of the gang can't stand him either. But I'm not the kind of guy to intervene. I respect her too much to pull a stunt like that.

  But then I spot her at a party, too drunk to even walk. The men are eyeing her like easy prey so I take her home. But when we get there Skye is different. She looks at me differently. She touches me differently.

  And she wants me differently.

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