Warnings and Wildfires

She sighs. “He kind of had to. I’m a bit of a momzilla and voiced some opinions on what you might have dragged my son into. But he set me straight,” she says, barely taking a breath. “I’m sorry, honey.”

Is she apologizing to me?

I glance at Sully again. He stood up to his mom. For me? When I’ve caused him so much trouble?

I can’t even be upset with her. She’s just looking out for her son. Because that’s what a good mother does.

“That’s okay, Mrs. Wallace. I’d have some questions too, if I were you.”

She hugs me tighter and over her shoulder I see Sully sigh with relief.

“You must be hungry,” she says, running her hand over my hair.

“A little. I think that’s what woke me up. Something smelled good.” I glance around the kitchen as she releases me. “Where’s Celia?”

“She ran over to the apartment,” Sully explains.

“Do you need help, Mrs. Wallace?” I ask as she retreats to the stove.

“No. You stay there. Let me feed you.”

Sully watches his mother for a second before taking the chair next to me. “Are you okay?”

I flick my gaze to his mother and back to him. “I think I’m going to be just fine.”

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

“You sure that’s the one, Maddy?”

“Yup.” She presses her finger against the glass right over the vintage-style red garnet ring we picked out for Aubrey. “She’ll love that one.”

The cushion cut stone has a halo of tiny diamonds surrounding it and more set into the slim band. It’ll look perfect on Aubrey’s hand.

“Yes?” the saleswoman asks.

“That one.”

“Are you nervous, Dad?” Maddy asks while I’m paying for the ring.

“Nope.” Well, I’m concerned Madison won’t be able to contain her excitement and will spill the beans before I propose.

But I also wanted her to feel included, which is well worth the risk of Aubrey learning about my plans.

“Pack your bikini, baby!” Sully shouts when he comes in the door.

“Uh, what?”

He strides into the kitchen, wearing a big smile, eyes full of mischief.

“We’re going to the beach for your birthday.”

“Where? What beach?” Excitement bubbles up inside me. “I have—”

“No classes until Tuesday.”

“But what about your classes?”

The gym’s back on track and doing well since the re-opening. We’re busier than ever. Not really a good time for Sully to take a vacation.

“Murphy’s covering. Tickets are paid for. Hotel is booked, so don’t try to talk me out of it.”

Excited, I throw my arms around him for a kiss. “Thank you.”

He pats my ass a few times. “Come on, go get ready.”

“We’re leaving now?”

“In two hours.”

“Sully,” I scold. “I can’t pack that fast.” But I’m laughing and already running to the bedroom as I say it.

Two hours later we’re waiting to board our plane to Tampa.

“I’ve been checking the weather all week. It’s actually pretty chilly down there right now,” Sully says.

I glance at the wide plate glass window at New York’s frozen winter sky. “Is it warmer than negative two degrees?”

“Yup.”

“Then I can’t wait.”

The next morning, Sully has me up early to watch the sunrise on the beach. The sand is so soft under our feet, it feels like flour.

It’s January, so we’re one of only a few people walking along the surf. We’re probably the only ones in shorts and T-shirts.

The sunrise happens both gradually and fast, breaking the dark blue night sky with bursts of yellow and orange.

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper.

Sully must be as awed as I am because he doesn’t answer. I turn and find him down on one knee.

“Looking for shells?” I tease.

He holds up a small black velvet box. “Nope, try again.”

With shaky fingers, I reach out and he takes my hand. “I never knew what my life was missing until I met you. Your kindness and creativity inspire me every day. You’re the only person I want to watch all my sunrises and sunsets with. Will you marry me?”

Tears roll down my cheeks the second I realize what he’s doing. I blubber out, “Yes.” Then fall to my knees in the sand beside him.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

“I love you.”

“Good, because you just said yes and you can’t take it back.” He grins as he plucks the ring out of its box. “Careful, I don’t want to drop it in the sand.”

My left hand won’t stop trembling as he takes it and slips the ring on my finger. “It’s so beautiful. How’d you know I wanted a—oh my God! Maddy. I’m such an idiot.” I frown.

He grins even wider. “I’m shocked she managed to keep it a secret for so long.”

“But that was months ago.”

“I knew I wanted to propose at the beach. It’s been killing me. I wanted to do it that night we went to lights in the park. And then I thought maybe New Year’s Eve—”

I dive at him, knocking him back against the sand and pepper his face with kisses. “This is perfect.”

His arms wrap around me, warm and secure.

“Can we get married on the beach too?” I ask.

He leans up and presses a kiss to my lips.

“We can get married anywhere you want.”

EPILOGUE

Strike Back has finally reached two-hundred and fifty thousand subscribers on our YouTube channel. A quarter of a million people in record time.

Sully also scored a lucrative sponsorship deal. They’d outfitted the gym with tons of new equipment after we fixed the place up.

And tonight Strike Back is throwing a party to celebrate. We’re live-streaming parts of it on the channel.

“Congratulations, man,” Griff says, shaking Sully’s hand.

Sully’s arm tightens around my shoulders. “All her, Griff. This is Aubrey’s doing.”

Griff nods at me. “You gonna turn this into a full-time business?”

“Maybe.” I tip my head in Wrath’s direction. “I’ve been working on a plan for Furious Fitness. I just haven’t sold him on the videos. Trinity’s supposed to help me convince him.”

Griff chuckles. “Good luck with that.”

“Go, circulate,” Sully says. “But see me later, I have something I want to discuss with you.”

“Got it.”

Sully turns to me, cupping my face and rubbing his thumb over my cheek. “I need to see you in my office.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Not a thing.” His simmering stare and lowered voice suggest exactly what he has in mind.

“Oh.” My gaze darts around the room. “You think that’s a good idea when it’s so crowded?”

“I think it’s a great idea.” He steers me toward the office and slowly twists the knob. “What the fuck?” He shoves his shoulder against the door, pushing it open enough to get an eyeful.

Sully and I stand there, mouths open, staring at the sight in front of us.

Jake glances over his shoulder, shielding my sister from our view. I’m pretty sure that heap of cloth on Sully’s desk is her dress.

“Can’t you take a hint?” Jake jerks his chin at us. “I shoved the chair against the door for a reason.”

Slowly, we back away and shut the door.

We stand there and stare at each other for a few seconds.

“Let’s never speak of this,” I finally say.

He chuckles and leads me away from the door. “What are we going to do?”

I shrug. “About what?”

“Aubrey, I’m serious. I love my brother, but commitment isn’t in his vocabulary.”

“Uh, I’m pretty sure my sister’s allergic to relationships so I wouldn’

t worry about it.”

His gaze strays to his still-closed office door. I rest my hand on his arm.

“Not our problem, Sully. Whatever goes on between them, won’t impact us. Promise.”

“Promise,” he echoes.

I glance back at the office again. “Boy, that’s going to make Sunday dinners awkward. Not to mention our wedding.”

His gaze darts around the room and lands on the back door. His mouth slides into a sly smile. “Come on, I have something I want to show you outside.”

Skeptical, I squint at him. “Is it in the backseat of your Jeep?”

He flashes the impish smile that warms me from head to toes and makes me love him even more each time I see it. “You’ll have to come with me to find out.”