3 months later
I’m so excited to see my parents. I haven’t seen them since that dreadful day I left Los Angeles. We talk plenty, but it’s not the same as seeing them. Plus, I’ve told them so much about Beau that I can’t wait for them to finally meet him. My life has been pretty amazing these past few months. I’ve actually made friends here too.
“Bleu, get your cute butt down here, woman. It’s time to go, or we’re going to be late,” Yasmine yells. She is my bestie. She’s only been working at Rosalita’s for the past month, but we hit it off immediately. Today, we’re all going to see Beau’s new house he bought. He’s been so secretive about it, but today is the housewarming. Even Rosalita is going. She insisted on picking up my parents while I finished getting ready, so I’m meeting them at Beau’s. I hope they love him just as much as I do.
“Pump your brakes, Yas, I’m coming.” She insisted I get all dolled up in this black spaghetti-strap dress and ditch the jeans. I know he invited some people from town as well, so I guess I should look presentable. I’m so proud he has decided to put down his roots in Hope Town. This housewarming will give me a chance to meet some of the people he grew up with during his summers here.
“Look at you. You’ll turn every head at the party. Beau is going to have a coronary.” I roll my eyes. “What? I just can’t believe you’ve never dressed up like this for your man. I just thought today was fitting to show what you’re hiding under those jeans you always wear.”
“Trust me, he knows.” I giggle. That man is insatiable.
“You know what I mean, smartass. I know he likes you just the way you are, but you can humor me for a day. Be glamorous with me.” Yas is definitely the glamorous one out of the two of us. She dresses up every chance she gets. I just like being comfortable. Today is no different.
“Let’s go! We’re going to be late, remember?” I tease.
When we arrive, we head around back to where the party is. The house is a two-story rustic cottage with a modern appeal. I can’t wait to see inside. The party is already in full swing, yet I just want to explore this dreamy house. After seeing my parents, of course. Despite Yas’s nagging efforts, we are late. Even my parents are here.
I run as fast as my heels will let me and give them both the biggest hug as soon as I see them. I squeal from my excitement to finally have them here. My father had the hardest time clearing his busy schedule with all his new patients. He did end up rejoining his group, and he has been happier since the transition.
From the corner of my eye, I see Beau walking up with Rosalita. He dressed in a dress shirt that does very little to hide his chiseled perfection and dress pants that hug his muscled thighs in a way that makes my panties wet every time. He runs a hand through his hair, and my heart slams against my chest. That is my guy.
He stops directly in front of us, and I’m ready to introduce him to my parents when the music playing softly in the background stops. Funny, how I didn’t even notice it until now. All the attention is on us. Beau adjusts the collar on his shirt, and it causes echoes from a mic that he has clipped on.
“I want to thank everyone for coming to the housewarming this evening,” he says as he grabs my hand. “Today is a very special day. You see, this beautiful woman came into my life and stole my heart exactly three months ago today.”
What is happening? Today is about him and his new home, not me. My father is smiling, and my mother is sobbing. That damn butterfly species is back with a vengeance. Something is up.
“She delivered me from the shell of the man I was. I thought I had life all figured out, but I was afraid to love. Afraid to try. The moment she was put in my path, my destiny was decided. She challenged me to look at why I was pushing women away— why I wasn’t letting anyone in. The truth is, I was waiting for her. She made me the happiest man on her twenty-first birthday.”
I can feel the heat creeping up my neck as I think back to the earth-shattering sex we had on my birthday. Any doubts I had about my ability to have multiple orgasms were wiped cleaned that night. Hell, I stopped counting after the fourth one. He winks at me with a sheepish grin. He remembers too. I can’t even look over at my parents right now for fear they’ll read the dirty thought I have on replay just from looking at my face. Yas gives me a knowing look. Of course, I shared the deets with her shortly after we met. I had to tell someone. That was fucking epic. Now I’m used to the multiples my man gives me. I force my mind out of the gutter and brace myself for what Beau is going to say next. Is he going to suggest I live in this beautiful house with him because I sure hope so.
He walks around the house to the front door, and the crowd follows. He waits until the small gathering makes it around to join us before he continues. Then I see it. A wooden plague above the door says “Deliverance.”
“You delivered me from my past, Bleu, and now, I want to be your future.” He gets down on one knee, and Rosalita lets out a squeal. She is hugging my mom now. “Bleu Loren. Will you do me the honor of being my wife? I can’t promise to be perfect, but if you say yes, I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy. I will give you the best of me. I love you so much. You are my destiny—my hope!”
Tears fall like a faucet. I know Yas will complain that I ruined her makeup job, but I can’t help it. Now, it’s apparent he’s already met my parents. I’m sure he asked them for my hand in marriage too. I know we’ve only know each other three months, but when you know, you just know. Time has no say when it comes to matters of the heart. Who says there are no such thing as fairy tales. This is mine.
“Yes,” I yell louder than I expected. “My birthday wish was for you, Beau. You delivered me as well. From evil.” I don’t have to explain. He knows that by evil, I mean Ethan. “You have shown me what real love is, and there are no words for how happy I am to be your future wife.”
He slides one hell of a solitaire diamond on my left ring finger before standing. “You made me the happiest man on your birthday because that’s the night I found out you loved me too. I knew before you even admitted it to me. Because of you, I do believe in happily ever afters. We found hope together in Hope Town. We found each other.”
I don’t care that we’re in front of my parents. I give him the most passionate kiss that borders the line of obscene. This beautiful man chose me, and I get to spend the rest of my life loving him.
“One more thing, Bleu.” He digs into his pocket and takes out a set of keys before handing them to me. “Open the door to our new home, future Mrs. Lair.”