Epilogue

Megan

I had been determined for weeks that the stress of opening a new facility wasn’t going to get the best of me and so far I was holding my own with the boys on the crew. I’d hand-chosen each one over the past six months ever since Ryan told me about his plans to open the new facility and put me in charge.

He stood in the risers looking down with Jason who had come along for the ride, and the two were whispering about something as they watched.

Over the past eight months of our dating, Ryan’s friend Jason and I had gotten to be friends, and he was still my best source of information when I needed to know anything Ryan. He’d even helped me plan his surprise birthday dinner a month before. He’d hooked up with Jana for a bit, but the two were stuck in a love/hate type of thing that was led by jealousy and sex. Ryan and I didn’t think we’d seen the end of those two.

I turned my attention back to the group and started divvying out jobs. I needed samples of the ground’s soil before opening, and these men had dragged their feet all day. “You’ve got five hours. I’m sure you can gather everything in two. Now get to it.” I put my hands on my hips as they dispersed in their groups of two and when I turned around I realized I wasn’t alone.

Ryan had come down from the rafters. A quick glance up told me Jason had found better things to do in the fresh facility. Ryan put his arm around my waist and pulled me around between two of the large tanks and wasted no time giving me a kiss. His lips glided hungrily on mine, and his body pulled me and pressed me against the large tank. He went to pull away, but I wasn’t done. I grabbed his collar and pulled him closer, taking the previous kiss much deeper and giving his bottom lip a pull when I finished.

His mouth found my ear and his breath sent chills down my body and straight to my core. “You know how much I love it when you get aggressive.” He had always liked me being assertive and I sometimes wondered if that wasn’t why he had me leading the new group. It had been months since he’d made me a consultant, but now this new position was even better. We’d cleaned up the Arkansas plant, and once that was done, he’d given me the news about his future venture. Of course, I’d said yes, I didn’t think it was possible to tell Ryan Walker no, at least I’d never had to.

“You should control yourself, Mr. Walker.” I kissed his jawline, and he laughed.

“You’re one to talk. What we should do is find where the most private place in this factory is and get naked.” The thought of him against me naked lit a fire deep in my core.

I shook my head. “Not until you put a ring on it, Mr. Walker.” I glanced away, and he growled. That had been our ongoing joke for months now, and even though we’d had plenty of sexual experiences, he’d been respectful enough to go at my pace. Turns out, I was a turtle.

“You mean a ring like this one?” He held up a washer that he’d probably picked up from the floor, something that was left behind in the building of the new facility.

“Please, I should have known you’d go cheap.” I rolled my eyes, and we shared a laugh.

“I was hoping you’d go for it. But I guess I’ll just have to give you this one instead.” He handed me a candy ring, and I grabbed my heart like it was the most wonderful ring in the whole world. Then I ripped off the wrapper and put it on and popped it into my mouth.

“Mm. I knew you had taste, I just didn’t know it was strawberry.” I gave him a wink, and he crossed his arms.

“Damn, you look hot with that thing in your mouth. If I had only known you’d go for that, then I wouldn’t have wasted my time getting this old thing.” He pulled a small box out of his pocket and opened it.

Inside I caught a glimmer from the fluorescent lights above us and then he held it up for me to see. Tears hit my eyes when I realized this was no joke. It was a ring, and it was gorgeous and real and just for me. My mind went blank, and all I could do was stare with my mouth hanging open like a big mouthed fish.

“I’ll just take it back.” He started to close the box, but I grabbed his hand. Tears were in my eyes, and as much as I wanted to laugh along with him, I was too overjoyed. “Can I put it on you?”

“Yes, please.” I held my finger up, and he slipped the ring on. Then he held my hand and looked into my eyes.

“Marry me, and make me the happiest man ever?” I belted out my answer as I jumped into his arms.

“Yes!”

He pulled me back against the tank and the feel of the cold steel against my back may as well been a pillow because I was so happy I didn’t know the difference.

Later that night we arrived at his parent’s house to tell them the good news and his mother met us at the door as she usually did when we’d come for dinner.

“What have we here? What a surprise.” Tilly pulled me in and gave me a big hug. Then she grabbed my hand, and as we turned around to go inside, she stopped in her tracks. She turned around, and I could feel her hand closing on my ring. She glanced down, and when she saw the big diamond on my ring finger, she screamed.

Mr. Walker and the maid came running, but by then she was jumping up and down and hugging us all over again.

“What’s the matter, Tilly?” Mr. Walker was holding a glass of whiskey, and the maid had come from the kitchen wide-eyed and ready to fight if she had to.

When she saw that it was us the woman shook her head and went back to the kitchen.

“They’re engaged! Our baby’s getting married!” She grabbed Ryan and pulled him to her, and Mr. Walker came to stand beside me.

“You’re aware of what you’re getting into I suppose.” He gave the two a smiling glance and then threw his arm around me. “Welcome to the family, dear. We’re proud to have you.”

Tilly let go of Ryan long enough for him to catch a breath and then she was crying. “Oh, it’s such a happy day.” She placed her hand on my arm. “I’ll do all the flowers dear, you just tell me what kind you want, and I’m on it.” She turned back to Ryan. “You could have the wedding here if you like? Why I’ve always wanted to do a big wedding, we haven’t had one that was for family.”

“That would be an honor, Tilly, thank you.” I glanced to Ryan who shook his head like I had no idea what I was in for, but I didn’t care a bit. This was my family, no matter what I was going to love it.

All I needed was him by my side. Forever.

The End

Author Note: Who hasn’t dreamed of that one co-worker (real or imaginairy)? See what happens in the next office romance after you get a quick drink of water to help you cool down.