Epilogue
A year later….
Joni didn’t “date” Eric for the next year. Instead, they went out for dinner, to the movies, attended family gatherings, weddings, and holiday office parties together as “just friends”.
It had become a joke with their families, but neither Joni nor Eric sought to change the status quo. She truly hadn’t been ready for a new love when she’d met Eric. Hell, the body wasn’t even cold on her previous relationship. And for a few months she’d been convinced he was simply the transition guy. The one who’d teach her how to trust again. And that was what he’d done.
Only he hadn’t gone anywhere and she sure as hell hadn’t wanted him to. She was head over heels in love with the man.
She’d been so deep in thought she hadn’t even noticed they’d reached their destination until Eric turned off the car.
She glanced up at the restaurant. “Charleston?”
Eric grinned. “Don’t move.”
Joni remained in the passenger seat and gave Eric a curious look when he got out of the car and walked around to open her door.
“So chivalrous,” she teased. She started to get out, but Eric stopped her.
“Not yet.”
“What’s going on?”
Eric leaned against her door. “Are you ready to start being honest?”
“Start?” she asked. “Haven’t we been honest—sometimes brutally so—for the entire past year?”
He shook his head. “No. We haven’t.”
She frowned, confused. Then the slightest sliver of fear coursed through her. The last time she’d been in this parking lot, her cheating boyfriend had knocked her for a loop. Surely Eric wouldn’t bring her here to break up with her. There wasn’t a cruel bone in his body.
Joni took a calming breath, certain there was a simple answer to her next question. At least, she hoped so. “What do you mean?”
She smiled, feeling foolish for her brief bout of panic. But these weren’t new words. They’d said them before. “I love you too, Eric. You know that’s the truth, right?” Was he questioning her feelings for him?
He nodded. “Yep. I know how you feel about me. I mean how could you feel anything less. I’m a total stud.”
“And arrogance wins out again.” Her giggles died quickly when Eric dropped to one knee beside her. All the wind whooshed out of her lungs when he reached into his pocket and pulled out a box.
“Holy shit,” she murmured.
“I met you here a year ago today. I followed you out into this parking lot like some insane love-struck stalker.”
Her lips tipped up in a smile, though tears started to form in her eyes. Good tears. Happy ones. “You did have this sort of crazed look in your eyes.”
“And luckily for me, your resistance was low. Made picking you up pretty damn easy.”
“It’s not too late for me to start making it harder.”
Eric wiggled his eyebrows seductively, which sent her eyes straight to his cock. Twelve months later and they still came at each other like a couple of oversexed, hormone-driven teenagers.
“Stop looking at my cock, Joni, or I’ll throw you in the backseat and have my wicked way with you. And while that’s extremely tempting, I have plans tonight. A romantic proposal followed by a candlelight dinner inside.”
“And here I was thinking you were just taking me to Denny’s for my birthday.”
“Jesus. When have I ever taken you to Denny’s? And dammit, stop interrupting me.”
“Sorry,” she said, waving for him to continue. “You were saying something about me being easy and you being a stalker. That’s not the romantic part, is it?”
He winced. “Yeah. Actually, it was.” He opened the box, revealing the most beautiful—and biggest—diamond Joni had ever seen.
Her eyes widened. “Dear God, Eric. You couldn’t find a bigger rock?”
He laughed. “You’re the only woman on earth who would complain about the diamond being too big.”
She flashed him an apologetic look. “That’s not what I meant. It’s beautiful. Perfect.”
“Just like you. Marry me, Joni. Make babies with me. Grow old with me.”
Joni was helpless to hold back the tears. She swiped at her cheeks as she nodded. “Yes. I want to do all of that.”
Eric put the ring on her finger, and then opened his arms. She fell into them easily, knowing there was nowhere she fit better.
He kissed the tip of her nose, then her lips. It started as a sweet kiss, but soon, it turned molten.
When they finally parted, he glanced at his watch. “We better head inside. I have reservations for seven. It’s five after.”
Joni followed Eric into the restaurant, marveling over the difference one year could make. She was so distracted by her happiness—and the ring on her finger—she didn’t realize Eric was leading her into a private room in the back.
When they entered, she was shocked to see all of their friends and family there, waiting to congratulate them.
Eric put his arm around her shoulders and announced, “She said yes.”
At that point, they were swallowed up by the masses, engulfed in a sea of hugs and well wishes. Eric’s mother was crying tears of joy and thanking Joni for managing to get her boy to settle down.
When they were finally able to get back to each other, Joni narrowed her eyes at Eric, though her smile ruined the effect. “A party? Awfully sure of yourself, weren’t you? Damn arrogant man.”
“I think it’s time for you to admit you like that about me.”
Joni pushed up on her tiptoes and pretended to kiss him on the cheek. While she was there, she whispered, “Never.”
The sound of a champagne bottle popped, drawing them apart.
Lucas poured each of them a glass, then lifted his own. “To the happy couple. I would have enjoyed that ten thousand dollars, but I much prefer the role of best man.”
They all laughed.
When her glass was empty, Eric topped it up for her, then leaned closer, tapping his against hers in a private toast.
“Here’s to new beginnings,” he said.
Joni smiled. “And happy endings.”
New to Pat’s Pub? Be sure to check out the other books in the series, including Lucas and Caitlyn’s story in , available now.
Other books in the series include:
May Flowers
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