Eighteen Months Later

“Where did I put the wine key?” Callie’s frantic, craning her neck to search for it. Her panicked gaze locks on me. “Reid, I need my lucky wine key.”

Amused, I step closer. Wrapping my fingers around her left wrist, I slowly raise her hand between us.

To show her the wine key she’s had in her grasp all along.

Her expression crumples, and she leans her forehead against my chest. “I can’t take this.” She whimpers. “I’m so nervous.”

“Hey,” I whisper soothingly and cup her nape. When she raises her head, I wink. “I think someone needs a distraction.”

She gives a little grunt before protesting. “Reid.” But I can already see a bit of the stress subside, the panic easing from her expression.

“Rainbow.” I lean forward and drag my lips across hers. “Everything’s going to be perfect.” Softly, I nip at her bottom lip. “Now kiss me already.”

Our mouths collide, and I slide my hands up to cradle her face. I don’t think I could ever tire of kissing this woman. Her free hand clutches my shirt while her tongue sweeps inside to toy with mine.

“Break it up, you two.”

At Grayson’s good-natured complaint, our lips part, and I bask in the sight of a slightly breathless Callie.

“Hey,” I murmur softly.

“Hey,” she mimics.

“I love you.” As soon as I utter the words, her eyes take on a certain dreamy quality that I’ll never tire of seeing. The way my declaration visibly affects her is more than I could have imagined possible.

“I love you back,” she replies softly.

“Ready to do this?”

She nods. “Ready.”

Within seconds of unlocking the doors of Lovestruck, people start filing in. I’m not surprised to see Bert and his buddy, Clint, greet Callie and me. But when I catch sight of many other regulars from On Tap, I can’t help the surge of grateful pride that runs through me at their show of support. However, nothing could have prepared me for the appearance of two other individuals.

Anxiety pulses through my veins at the sight of Callie’s parents walking through the door. If they plan to belittle their daughter—today of all days—they’ve got another thing coming.

They step off to the side, scanning everything from the new hardwood floors to the simplistic yet inviting feel of our custom-made tables, which are a combination of old wooden wine barrels and freshly painted beer kegs. I wait for them to turn to one another and snicker, poking fun at our hard work, but I’m surprised to witness the blatant appreciation in their expressions.

I stride over, intent on snagging them before they make it over to Callie, just to play it safe.

Clara spots me first and discreetly nudges her husband. I reach out a hand in greeting.

“Clara. Martin.” I nod and shake their hands. “If you’d like to grab a table, I’ll get you the wine list.”

“We’d like that very much, Reid.” I’m floored by Clara’s response, and it must show on my face because she smiles. “After all, it would look poorly on us not to support our daughter and future son-in-law’s wonderful business.”

“I appre—” I stop in my tracks, her words finally registering. I whip my head around to ensure Callie’s not within earshot and am grateful she’s busy chatting with new customers. Once I return my attention to them, Martin lays a hand on my shoulder.

“We were far too hasty in our judgment of you, son, and did a lot of talking. We give our blessing to you and Callie.”

My tension eases at his words. “Thank you, sir.” My initial visit with them, my attempt at doing the right thing in asking for their blessing, hadn’t gone well. It wasn’t entirely surprising, however, considering our rocky relationship. Yet I’d still sent them an email, inviting them to our grand opening.

I’d also included the background story of why I chose our business name.

Clara steps up and grasps my hand, giving it a quick squeeze before releasing it. “Callie’s come so far and much of that is because of you.”

They walk away to find an available table, and I rest my eyes on the woman I plan to ask to marry me tonight. As if sensing attention on her, she glances over, notices her parents, and visibly falters. Her eyes meet mine, and immediately, her features transform and her smile radiates love.

It’s a smile I hope to put on her face for years to come.

It gives me hope that later tonight, after our successful grand opening is complete, she’ll give me that same smile.

When she says yes.

* * *

Reid’s been acting strange, almost suspicious, the entire day. I’d chalk it up to the hectic but incredible day we’ve had, but I sense there’s more to it. He’s disappeared in the back even though I know our kitchen guy, Dante, has already finished up and left.

I collapse into one of the comfy leather chairs and prop my feet in the other beside it. With a glance around the now-clean Lovestruck, I relish in the peaceful silence. Tipping my head back, I let my eyes fall closed with a sigh. “God, I’m exhausted,” I say with a low exhale.

“Too tired for a little celebration?”

Without opening my eyes, I smile tiredly at the sound of Reid’s husky voice. “Depends, really.” I sit up and turn to watch him approach with what appears to be a tray holding a medium-sized cake. He carefully slides it onto the table before bracing a hand on the back of my chair. He leans down to dust a soft kiss on my lips.

“Mmm,” I murmur against his lips. Too soon, he pulls back, his eyes alight with mischief. I lean in to get a better view of the cake, and immediately, a smile forms on my face.

The cake depicts our business name and logo, a wine barrel and keg, but there’s something else written at the bottom of the barrel. I peer closer and realize, made with fondant icing, they’ve included a bingo ball with “B-52, I love you” written on it. But that’s not what makes my breath catch in my throat. It’s what has been carefully inserted, just so, beneath that.

A diamond ring.

My eyes fly to Reid, who’s lowering himself to one knee. A myriad of emotions crosses his features—love and what appears to be apprehension.

“I love you, Callie Anderson. Since you’ve come into my life”—he breaks off, a small smile tugging at his lips—“you’ve not only kept me on my toes, but also made me feel things I’ve never felt before.” He pauses and swallows hard, his expression sobering. “I’ve loved having you by my side, having you as my partner with Lovestruck. More so, I’d love to have you by my side forever.” He takes my hand in his firm, comforting grasp. “Will you marry me?”

I watch him as a slow smile spreads across my face. I lean toward him, frame his face with my palms, and whisper against his lips. “Yes.”

Reid’s smile is soon swallowed by my lips on his, but then he draws back, his eyes sparkling with amusement. He pulls the ring from the cake and slides it on my finger, icing and all. And I should know better than to think he doesn’t have a game plan.

“I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. And to make very good use of this frosting.” His eyes shine with affection and humor right before he slides his lips around the ring on my finger to suck off the icing clinging to it.

Soon, the cake is long forgotten, and we are officially christening Lovestruck. It seems fitting. And the thought of what’s in store for the rest of my life doesn’t seem so daunting when I get to spend it with my best friend.

I have a good feeling love will be on tap for years to come.