Forty Day Fiancé (Sassy in the City 3)

“I drove a Humvee in Iraq in the service. This isn’t as fun.”

“Thank you for your service,” I said to him, grateful for his efforts then and now. We were eating up the gates. I glanced at the time. I had a text that said boarding had started. That gave me twenty minutes. I felt confident I was going to make it. “What’s your name? I owe you big-time, man. Thank you, seriously.”

“Name’s Willie, and no problem,” he said over his shoulder. “Who doesn’t love a good love story? Especially on Christmas.”

“I’m Michael. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

We got to my gate and Willie just about popped a wheelie. I jumped off the cart. I handed him a hundred bucks and offered my hand for a shake. “Merry Christmas, Willie. Thanks again.”

His eyes sparkled as he tucked the money in his shirt pocket. “You’ve got this, Mike.”

I waved, turned, and realized my phone was ringing. Felicia. I scanned the boarding area as I put the phone to my ear. She wasn’t there. Most of the waiting area was already empty.

“Hello?”

* * *

I sat in my seat, foot bouncing, silently begging Michael to answer his phone. If he didn’t, I wasn’t sure I could stay on the plane. Isla was right. I had to talk to him.

“Hello?”

I closed my eyes in relief when he answered. “Michael, I’m sorry.” My throat tightened. I didn’t know what else to say, I had so many emotions overwhelming me. Where did I start?

“I’m sorry too. I didn’t realize that I wasn’t being clear in how I feel. I was trying not to pressure you and obviously, that was a huge mistake. I love you, Felicia, so damn much. I think you’re amazing and I would want to marry you, baby or not.”

Tears pricked at the back of my eyes. He sounded raw, sincere, urgent. “I’m such an idiot. I’m sitting on this plane and all I can think is that our fake engagement was the most real thing to ever happen to me. I love you too.” I sighed, foot bouncing even more frantically. I glanced around. The plane was mostly full. It was now or never. “I’m getting off the plane.”

I stood up and said, “Excuse me,” to the woman next to me.

She barely moved her legs. I climbed over her, grateful I was wearing joggers and trainers.

“I’m in the boarding area,” he said.

“What?” My heart started to pound. “What do you mean?” I grabbed my bag from the overhead and shoved past everyone pushing upstream like salmon. “Excuse me, sorry, I just forgot something.”

The man of my dreams.

“I’m right outside your flight.”

“How did you get there? You’ll get arrested.” Had he pulled a Love, Actually moment and jumped over a barrier? Sexy, but dangerous as hell.

I jogged up the gateway.

“I bought a ticket.”

Bursting through the doorway, I looked frantically around. Michael was standing at the back of the boarding line. When he saw me he got out of line.

I ran to him.

He scooped me up and we had an epic airport moment. He twirled me around while I hugged him as tight as I possibly good.

“I love you,” he said. “Let me prove it to you.”

I kissed him. “You already have. And I love you too.”

He kissed me back.

Then he set me down and got on one knee. My heart swelled.