Her father put on his reading glasses and perused it. “It says he’s allowed you to purchase all of his shares for the price of a dollar.”
Maddie’s heart wrenched. She forgot to breathe. Her brain couldn’t process. “You gave me all of your shares?”
“Well, technically he sold them to you,” her dad said. “He’s no longer the majority owner. You are.”
Maddie bent to pick up the dollar. She traced the familiar old numbers scrawled with black Sharpie across the green background along with the words “Call Me.”
She held a hand over her heart as a sharp, bittersweet ache filled her chest. It was the dollar she’d paid to Nick at the kissing booth so long ago.
“You kept it all these years.”
“I told you, that was some kiss.”
Nick had given everything back to her to do with as she wanted. Hell, he’d even given her dollar back.
“I know I’ve got a thing about control, but I don’t want to control anything about your company, Maddie. I do believe in you, and I know you’re responsible for your own success.”
“You were right about me having to believe in myself. I think I’ve finally left my past behind me. You’ve made it possible. I never thanked you for all you’ve done. I’m glad you’re here to see our first success.”
“The first of many.” He stepped forward and took up her hand. “I want to be around to see more of them too, if you’ll let me.”
Maddie dabbed at her eyes. Her mascara was running, but she couldn’t stop crying. She felt lightheaded and flushed.
“So do you remember it—the story around the campfire?”
“I remember some stuff you made up about love and happily-ever-afters. Something about bringing everyone back together because that’s what love does.”
“That’s what a wedding does.”
The blood was really going to her head. Nick pulled her close until they were face to face. His spicy cologne filled her nostrils.
Maddie was dizzy, the room was spinning. She could see her parents, Cat, Jenna and Derrick, Gramps and Grandmeel all standing there smiling. Then she looked into Nick’s beautiful brown eyes, and they were full of tenderness and something much deeper she was afraid to name.
She didn’t know exactly what he was going to say, but she sensed it was going to be good.
“I’ll love you till the day I die. Now marry me.”
“That’s a little pushy, Holter,” she finally managed to say. “I know you’re used to bossing people around all day, but I’m going to need a little more than that.”
“Okay.” He took a deep breath and looked deep into her eyes. “I can only promise to love you forever, with all my heart and soul.” He lowered himself to one knee. “Please marry me.”
Oh, that was good. Really good.
Her eyes blurred, but in her peripheral vision she could see Cat bring her hands to her mouth in shock. Her mom gave a little clap and held onto her dad. Even Grandmeel threaded her arm through Samuel’s.
Nick slipped something shiny and sparkly onto Maddie’s finger, but she barely noticed. All she could see before her was the gorgeous, wonderful man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. “Yes,” she said. “I will.”
He rose up and covered her lips softly with his, cupping her face in his strong hands and giving her a full-mouthed kiss that was slow and lush and perfect.
“I’m still dizzy,” she said when it was through.
“Not too dizzy, I hope,” he whispered in her ear. “The evening is just beginning.”
“Nicholas,” his grandfather said. “It’s about time you finally got your head out of your—”
Nick held up his hands. “Okay, okay, Gramps, I get it.”
“One more thing.” Samuel moved in menacingly close. “I never thanked you for giving me the chance I never thought I’d get. You’re a good boy, Nicholas. I love you.” His voice cracked on the last words.
Nick was never one to blush, but he was doing it now. If Maddie wasn’t mistaken, his eyes were a little watery too. “Love you too, Gramps,” he said in a low voice as they embraced.
“Join us for dinner, son,” Henry said after a while, clapping Nick on the back. “We haven’t had the chance to thank you for all you’ve done for us.”
Rosalyn kissed him on both cheeks and hugged him. “More importantly, we want to welcome you to the family.”
“I’d like that a lot.” He glanced at his watch. “But we’ll have to take a rain check. We’re going on a little trip. If, of course, Maddie’s agreeable.”
“I don’t have any clothes.”
“Trust me, you won’t be needing any.”
Maddie blushed. “Nick! Our families are right here.”
He reached behind him and pulled up a standard black wheelie bag. “I mean, you won’t need any because I packed for you. OCD does have its uses.”
Nick moved to kiss her again, but Grandmeel intervened. “You’re not going to go gallivanting away with my granddaughter on some phony honeymoon without marrying her first. It’s just not proper.”
Samuel interrupted. “Amelia, for God’s sakes, leave them be. They’ve been apart long enough.”
For once, Grandmeel said nothing.
“Don’t you dare get married without me,” Maddie’s mom called out. “We want a service in the church. With flowers and bridesmaids and the whole family.”
Maddie kissed her grandmother on the cheek. “It’s all right, Grandmeel. Your objection’s noted, but I’m still going.”
Grandmeel shot a nasty glare at Derrick who pointed innocently at himself. “Don’t look at me, ’Meel. I like the guy.”
Madison kissed everyone and gave teary good-byes. She saved Cat for last.
“Cat, I’m so sorry about everything. I’ll be able to pay you back now with the prize money from the competition.”
Cat shrugged. “It’s for the best, Maddie. Robert just wasn’t The One. But I will take my money back. I always did want to see Hawaii.”
Maddie hugged her sister hard. “You’re the best sister ever.”
“I know. And I’m fine.” Cat brushed back her own tears and pushed Maddie away. “Now go have fun!”
Finally, Nick took Maddie’s hand and led her out of the hotel.
“Where are we going, anyway?” Maddie asked, sneaking a peek at her beautiful sparkler, which she held out to catch the light at different angles.
Nick approached the curb and put his arm out to flag a cab. “Turns out I really do own a small Caribbean island.”
“That’s great, but Nick…” Maddie tugged on his arm until he stopped.
“Yes, Maddie?”
“Would it be okay to maybe get a room here tonight? I mean, it doesn’t have to be anything big and fancy.”
Nick frowned. “You really are afraid of flying. Unfortunately, we can’t drive there.”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just that we’ve wasted enough time, and I don’t want to waste a second more. Not that I wouldn’t love an oceanfront suite but right now the only view I want is your naked chest on top of me.”
“Wow,” Nick said. “I can’t argue with that.”
She kissed him impulsively on the cheek. “I still can’t believe you saved that kissing booth dollar after all these years. There’s only one problem.”
Nick frowned. “What’s that?”
“You were a shark even back then, because the dollar was meant to go to the Rescue Dogs’ charity.” She tapped him on the chest. “You weren’t supposed to keep it.”
Nick tossed back a laugh. “Kiss me again, and we can adopt one to make up for it.”
She tugged on his sleeve. “Nick, one more thing.” His eyes were dark and dangerous and lit with the same glow of happiness she felt inside. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Madison. No more talking.”
Then he kissed her again, and she knew it was the beginning of a whole lifetime of kisses.
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About the Author
Miranda Liasson loves to write stories about courageous but flawed characters who find love despite themselves, because there’s nothing like a great love story. And if there are a few laughs along the way, even better! She won the 2013 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award for Series Romance and also writes contemporary romance for Montlake Publishing. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, three kids, and office mates Maggie, a yellow lab, and Posey, a rescue cat with attitude. Miranda loves to hear from readers! Find her at mirandaliasson.com, Facebook.com/MirandaLiassonAuthor or on Twitter @mirandaliasson.
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