Big City Little Rebel

“I love you, Bobbie. I love that you challenge me to think. I love that you don’t back down. I love that you gave your love to me freely. I plain and simply love you.”

She hugged him tightly, then broke away from his grip. “We need to talk.”

Oh, no. Nothing good ever came from those words.”Okay, how about I serve us, and we talk while we eat? I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.” He didn’t wait for an answer but guided her to a seat and poured her a glass of wine. He filled himself a glass, drank it down, and poured a second for courage. If she was going to dump him, he didn’t want to remember it.

“Where’s the box?” Bobbie began serving the lasagna while he walked into the kitchen and picked up the package she’d left behind. He set it in front of her before he sat down.

“I don’t know what’s in here, but I want you to know that I will always love you no matter how tonight turns out.”

She smiled and pushed the box in front of him. “That’s good to know because I have a proposition for you.” She smiled coyly and sipped her wine. “Open it.”

He held the box in his hand. He had a feeling that whatever was in it would be life-altering, but he wasn’t positive how far he wanted his life changed. He was happy with his little piece of heaven on earth right there with Bobbie.

His hands shook as he pulled the lid from the small rectangular box. Inside were business cards. He looked at Bobbie, confused.

She smiled and pulled a card from the box.

Big City Construction—a subsidiary of Mama’s World

Using Our Resources for Good

CEO Beau Westhaven

CFO Bobbie Cruise

(303) 555-1212

A tear slipped from his eyes for the fourth time in his life.

“Yes?” Her voice rose with hope. “You don’t have to say yes. I just thought …”

“Bobbie—”

“The minute I left that night, I had to find a way to make it right for you and to make it right for me. This is the answer.”

She picked up a card and laid it in his hand, covering it with her own. “We are the future. BC Construction is the future.” Her voice climbed and quickened. “This is the way we finance opportunity.” She inhaled deeply and then sighed. “I paid Pete and Todd pennies on the dollar for the building. They’ll need the money for their legal team.”

It was ironic that she’d use the money to buy a building Pete and Todd owned with the money she got from her settlement. The money she paid them would finance their legal defense. Hopefully, they had expensive and incompetent lawyers. “Bobbie—”

“I renamed the building Genesis because it’s our beginning. We’ll sell the units to pay for the next project and fund the victim’s charity I set up in our names.”

Earlier he’d read BC Construction on the permit and thought about the lucky bastards who would take over. He was the lucky bastard. “Are you sure this is where you want your money to go?”

She twined her fingers in his and melted against his body. “Beau, investing in you is the best decision I could ever make.” Bobbie stunned him into silence. “I love you, Beau. What do you think?” She leaned back and stared at him. “Say something.”

His smile turned to laughter. “I’m so awed, amazed, and in love with you that I can’t form sentences.” The only words he came up with were, “Marry me.”

“Don’t mess with my heart, Beau.”

“Say yes, and don’t mess with mine.”

“Being married to me won’t be easy. I’m opinionated and demanding, and I’ll never let up on those who harm others.”

He shook his head. “I hope not. The world needs more people like you. You’re a good human, and I’m better for having loved you. Now, what’s your answer?”

She hopped off his lap. “Yes. Shall we seal the deal in bed?” She raced him to the bedroom, where they made love and planned their future. Bobbie’s only request was a customized top floor for them at the Genesis building. It had to have at least four bedrooms because she planned to fill them with little Beaus. Little did she know he’d had a glimpse into their future, and a tiny little blonde hellion was part of the mix.