Friends to Lovers (Heart of Hope 6)

“There’s one more present.”

I looked over at the tree but didn’t see anything. Then I looked up at him. His expression appeared nervous.

“Did I tell you that I’ve loved you practically since the first day I walked into your bakery after you charmed me at Jude and April’s wedding?”

How I could smile wider I didn’t know, but I did. “You did?”

He nodded. “I did. I didn’t realize it or acknowledge it, but I did.”

“Then I don’t feel so silly for waiting for your daily visit like a giddy school girl because I was head over heels in love with you.”

For a moment he simply stared at me. Finally, he said, “So…you’ve loved me and I’ve loved you for a while now.”

I turned between his legs, wanting to get a better view of him as I tried to understand where this conversation was going. “It seems so.”

“That means it’s not too soon for this.” He held up a ring, the diamond catching the light from the tree and the fire and throwing beautiful shades of light around the room.

I gasped and looked into his eyes. “Cy.”

“Marry me, Petal. I want to live in your light and warmth every day for the rest of my life.”

Tears were streaming down my face like an idiot. But I didn’t care. I thought all my dreams had already come true, but now, I knew for sure.

“Yes. Oh Cy. Yes.” I threw my arms around him. He fell back with an oomph and laughed. I trailed kisses all over his face until I found his lips. And then I kissed him hard and deep pouring all my love into it.

He rolled us until I was under him. He slid the ring on. “I love you Petal.”

“I love you, Cy.”

“Do you think you can orgasm without screaming and waking my mother because I plan to consummate this engagement right here, right now.”

I bit my lower lip. “I don’t know. You’re so good at making me come. I can’t help but scream.”

“I guess we’ll just take our chances.” He pressed his lips against mine sealing the dream with a kiss.

Epilogue

Petal – August

Cy sped through the downtown traffic honking and barking at his mother on speaker phone. “She’s having a baby, mom. I can’t calm down.” He jerked the car to the right and laid on the horn. “Get out of the fucking way you moron.”

“Cy, you have to calm down. You’re not the one having the baby. Petal. Are you there Petal?” his mother’s voice came over the speaker.

“I’m here.” I was between contractions which were now every five minutes apart.

“How are you honey?” she asked.

“Hoping Cy doesn’t kill anyone.”

He glared at me and then turned his attention to the entrance of the hospital.

“This is so exciting. I’m going to meet my grandchild soon. Well…hopefully today,” Jane said, apparently ignoring the part where Cy was driving like a maniac. Then her words sank in.

“Hopefully?” I squeaked.

“Well, Cy took nearly thirty hours before he was born.”

My gaze snapped to his. “Thirty hours. That’s nearly three days.”