“Well, after everything that’s happened, I think I need to change my name.”
“Oh really?” A grin tugged at her lips. “Why’s that?”
I took a deep breath and then dropped to one knee, right there in the sand. Gemma’s hands flew to her mouth. “Oh my God, Aaron!”
“Gemma Henderson, you are the most beautiful woman in the world, inside and out. I never thought I’d be doing this—like really, what is going on here?” She laughed as I dropped a dramatic look down at myself, kneeling in the sand. “But it feels right. I don’t want to be Player anymore. I only want to be with you. That is if you’ll have me.”
Before she could reply, I pulled a small Tiffany blue box from the pocket of my favorite leather jacket and popped it open to reveal the rather stunning, vintage inspired diamond ring perched inside.
“Gemma, will you marry me?”
My breath hitched in my chest, waiting that split second for her reply, thinking back to her rejection in the hospital, but it was a quick lived panic attack, as a heartbeat later, she was nodding and squealing. “Yes!”
Grinning like a fool, I took the ring from the box and slid it onto her finger just like in the movies and then—with some assistance—got back up and took her into my arms. With her hair whipping around us in the breezy sea air, we sealed the deal with one helluva kiss.
“So, I guess it’s game over then?” Gemma asked, laughing.
“Oh, baby, I got plenty of games we can play.”
Epilogue
Six Months Later…
“Well, shit! How in the hell did Aaron The Player Rosen beat me to the jewelry store?”
I grinned at Boomer’s reaction. It was perfect. Just as I’d expected.
“Damn. I better step it up, or Holly’s gonna be after me with a frying pan,” he continued with a laugh.
“She’d probably just sic Hunter on your ass,” I quipped, leaning back in the weather worn Adirondack chair overlooking the ocean below. “How is that rascal anyway? Chewed his way through Germany yet?’
Boomer laughed. “He’s all right. Still chewing, but Princess keeps him in line. Seriously though, I’m so happy for you. And Gemma too, although she and I should probably have a little talk before she goes picking out a dress. I need to make sure she’s got the full story on you.”
I twisted at the sound of the back door sliding open. Gemma stepped out; her body showcased to perfection in a sexy turquoise bikini I’d picked out for her a few weekends ago when we’d gone shopping in town. My mouth watered at the sight of her and the tent that popped up in my shorts let me know I needed to cut the call with Boomer short.
“Hey baby, Boomer wants to set up a meeting with you so he can make sure you know what you’re getting into, before the big day,” I called over to her.
On the other end of the phone, Jack laughed in my ear.
“Tell him thank you for his concern, but that I already know all your dirty little secrets, and I’m confident I can handle anything you throw my way,” she tossed back with a sassy smile. She winked at me before she slid on her oversized shades.
“You hear that, Boomer? She thinks she’s got me all figured out,” I said, smiling at Gemma.
He just chuckled. “I can’t wait to get a front row seat for this.”
“Well, I was planning on asking you to be my best man, but that’s a little hard to do when you’re on a different fuckin’ continent.”
“Not so fast, Player. You just might be in luck,” he replied. I could almost hear the smile coming through the phone. “We’re gonna be stateside this summer and if all goes according to plan, we’ll be staying.”
“What?” I jerked upright in my chair. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah. Holly doesn’t know yet. I don’t want to get her hopes up until I know for sure, but I have a big meeting with the powers that be and they might be pulling me back early. So, instead of a month in August, we may be moving back permanently.”
“Wow! That’d be amazing!” I looked over at Gemma, my eyes following the lines of her long legs as she reclined back in her seat. She turned her head at my exclamation and I could see the arch of her brow over her dark shades. “Hey baby, what would you say to an August wedding?”
The smile she gave me was all the answer I needed.
“She’s on board. So you two get your asses back stateside and we’ll have a summer showdown. The war of the weddings.”
Boomer laughed. “I swear—I’m tempted to call you on video chat just to make sure I’m actually talking to Aaron Rosen.”
“It’s me, man. I promise.” I laughed and dropped my head back against the polished wood frame of the chair. “Would it make you feel better if I said I was mostly excited about the open bar and the chance to look badass in a suit?”