Effie sat still, rapt. Her eyes moistened with tears as she listened to her mom’s honesty. She couldn’t recall ever hearing her mom speak so candidly to her.
Zander placed his hand on her thigh.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been the best mom. My own bitterness about not being able to pursue my dreams got in the way of everything. I’m responsible for filling your head with lies about the Have More Moneys and the Fuck My Life’s.” Mom’s voice cracked.
“So that’s where that came from,” Zander mouthed. He let out a soft chuckle.
“It’s okay, Mom. Apology accepted.” Effie choked out the words.
“You’re too swift to forgive. Let me show you I can be a better mom. I’m sorry for calling you a prostitute and for not believing in you. Tell Zander I’m sorry for judging him. And thank him for loving you. It’s obvious that he does.”
Effie thought about telling Mom that Zander was listening but decided against it. She didn’t want her mom to feel embarrassed. “We both love each other very much.”
“I could see that on the news show.” There was a small pause, then her mother said, “Well…I’ll let you go. But know this. Euphemia Olivia D’Archangel, your father and I are as proud as proud can be of you. You’re a remarkable young woman. You’ll do great things. Go and climb huge mountains, Effie.”
By the time Effie hung up the phone, fat tears dripped down her cheeks.
Zander pulled her close, stroking her hair and making shushing sounds. He kissed the top of her head.
When she’d stopped crying, he eased her back. “That was something, wasn’t it?”
Effie nodded. “It was. I never in a million years suspected what she told me. My heart feels so full I can barely stand it.”
“Then it’s as good a time as any,” he said. His eyes sparkled with mischief.
“To do what?” She blinked.
“I was going to wait and propose to you on the top of a mountain. But I can’t wait any longer.” He slid from the seat and got down on one knee. “Effie D’Archangel, would you be my wife? I’d be truly honored to be your husband, ’til death do us part.”
Effie’s heart felt like it was going to catapult from her chest. More tears—tears of joy, this time—filled her eyes. “Oh, yes, Zander. A thousand times yes.”
“Perfect answer, Ms. D’Archangel.” He reached across to the minibar, opened it, and retrieved a velvet box. “I picked this up earlier today to take with us on our travels. I couldn’t think of a better place to hide it, so…” He shrugged. “Into the fridge it went.”
He opened the box, presenting her with the largest diamond engagement ring she could imagine.
“Oh, I love it, Zander.” She pressed her hand to her mouth.
He plucked the ring from the box and slid it on her finger. “Let’s explore the world together, as husband and wife. I want to have endless adventures with you.” He leaned forward and kissed her, long and hard. Then he broke the kiss, cupped her face, and smiled.
“I can’t wait, sweetheart,” she said, grinning. “Let’s go climb a mountain.”
The End
If you’d like to continue the Adrenaline series, try Book 1, Crazy Love or Book 2: Twisted Love. All books are HEA and can be read in any order.
https://authorcalliebardot.com/hot-romance-books/
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About the Author
Give me a gritty story, pushing through obstacles, followed by a chance at true love and I’m a happy woman. I fought for love, long and hard, and found it. Along the way, I had a lot of fun, figuring if something exists to be explored, I may as well explore it. How else can you figure out what you like?
My books have won awards like Romance Reviews Reader’s Choice New Adult Erotic (Blurred Lines under the pen name Calinda B) and have landed on the NY Times and USA Today Bestseller’s list (Sugar Baby under the pen name Calinda B). If I’m not writing, you can find me under the water, scuba diving, or on land, hiking, saving lives as an EMT, or exploring my breathtaking surroundings in the Pacific Northwest, alongside my sexy, firefighting guy.
Like fantasy and sci-fi? Look for my books under the pen name Calinda B. http://www.calindab.com/
* * *
Books by Callie Bardot:
* * *
Bad Boys Need Love, Too
•Looks Like Trouble to Me, Uncut
•Trouble Times Two, Uncut
•Tracked by Trouble
* * *
Point of Contact
•Blurred Lines
•Sassy Aphrodite and her Sweet Dirty Mouth
•Riding the Edge
* * *
Adrenaline Series
•Crazy Love
•Twist of Love
•Sugar Love
* * *
Standalones
•Fire
* * *
Books under the name Calinda B:
* * *
The Blood Stone Trilogy:
•Grave Stones: Book 1
•Heart’s Blood: Book 2
•Iron and Blood: Book 3
* * *
The Charming Shifter Mysteries:
•Storm Shift: Book 1
•Power Shift: Book 2
•Blood Shift: Book 3
•Soul Shift: Book 4
•Star Shift: Book 5
* * *
Standalones:
•Night Whispers
•Red Rex: Blood Echoes
•Headspace
•Meeting with My Maker
* * *
All books can be viewed on this page: https://authorcalliebardot.com/hot-romance-books/
With umpteen books roaming the universe and more in her head, you can find her at www.calindab.com. Or, if you want to stay connected, join the exclusive mailing list! https://authorcalliebardot.com/hot-contemporary-romance-newsletter/
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Also by Callie Bardot
Adrenaline
Crazy Love: A Rock Star Romance
A Twist of Love: A Rock Star Romance
Sugar Love
The Key to Love
Bad Boys Need Love, Too
Looks Like Trouble to Me - Uncut
Trouble Times Two
Tracked by Trouble
Point of Contact
Blurred Lines
Sassy Aphrodite
Riding the Edge of Darkness
Scorching Heat
Burned
The Diamond Club
Fire
Standalone
Boxed Set: Bad Boys Need Love, too, Books 1 & 2
Boxed Set: Point of Contact Series, Books 1 & 2
Sugar Love Page 36
