“I understand,” I said, holding back my laughter as I glanced at the TV.
“Not yet, you don’t,” he said, his voice gruff again. Taken aback, I opened my mouth to speak, but he held up one hand. “But I suspect you will…someday. When the two of you have kids of your own.” He looked into the kitchen, smiling as he watched Lyra kneading dough, her arms covered in flour.
“Does that mean I have your blessing, sir?”
“Yes,” he said with a decisive nod. “Take care of my baby girl.”
“I will, sir. I promise I will.”
And my planning was coming to fruition as I felt the ring box inside the pocket of my pants. My nerves were shot. Even though I was confident she’d say yes to my proposal, my desire for everything to go as planned was taking my brain and heart hostage. I wanted to give her a night she would never forget.
Lyra emerged from the room, looking like sex on a freaking stick. Her black gown had a slit up the side, revealing her tan and toned legs.
Thank you, yoga.
With cherry red lips, she smiled and said, “I’m ready.” And my heart thumped within my chest. I’d never get tired of those two words. Not ever.
Three hours later, we’d filled our bellies with food and drink. I’d needed a few shots of Tito’s to take the edge off, but knowing the countdown would begin in less than an hour, I was ready to get Lyra on the dance floor. Maren, knowing my plan, gave me a wink as I extended my hand to Lyra. “Let’s dance, Khaleesi.”
Lyra hopped to her feet, and I led her to the dance floor as Maren walked to the DJ booth. We danced and laughed as the song finished. When I heard the familiar sound of Harry Nilsson starting his rendition of “Over the Rainbow,” I swallowed hard.
Lyra smiled, not realizing the song was for her. “Aww, I love this song. And you do, too, which is kind of a miracle, right?”
I smiled, reaching into my pocket to grab the ring box. My hand trembled as my fingertips gripped the leather.
“You know, it’s kinda crazy,” I said, looking around the room. “If this party had taken place a year ago, who knows what would’ve happened? We might not be standing here right now.”
“True.”
“At the time, we both thought it was the worst New Year’s ever.”
“We did.”
“Little did we know.” I smiled, pressing my forehead to hers.
“Little did we know,” she echoed.
“I want to make this one the best Near Year’s ever, Khaleesi.”
Lyra looked confused. “It already is, Dev.”
“Not quite,” I said, shaking my head. “But it will be soon.”
“You’re being weird.” She looked concerned. “Are you okay?”
“I’m better than okay.”
In the middle of that dance floor, I took the deepest breath of my life and knelt down before the woman I loved. She gasped and held her hand to her mouth. “Oh my God, what are you doing?”
“Lyra Castillo, I never dreamed I’d be lucky enough to call you mine. But you are.”
“Yes, I am. I am, I am, I am.” Tears spilled from her eyes. She pressed her lips together, her eyebrows raised and her eyes and cheeks wet with tears.
“I want to ring in this new year with you as my fiancée. And I want to ring in every year with you by my side; as my fiancée, my wife, and one day as the mother of my children. I want to start every year and finish every year with you. Every last one.”
“I want that too,” she said. “I want all of it.”
“Will you marry me, Lyra?”
“Oh my God, yes!” She pulled me from my knees and jumped into my arms. I spun her around the dance floor as Harry finished our song.
I took her hand in mine and held the ring up in front of her. “This was my nani’s ring, and it would make me so happy if you wore it. But if you don’t love it and I mean really, really love it, I’ll get you any ring you want. Any ring at all. Just say the word.”
“I’d be honored to wear your nani’s ring, Dev. Please put it on.”
I slid the ring on her finger, my heart bubbling over with happiness. It fit her finger perfectly. The finger it was always meant to fit. The finger of Lyra Castillo: hottest woman alive, smartest woman I’d ever known, and the love of my freaking life.
THE END
The With Me in Seattle Universe
For More information about The With Me in Seattle Universe, click here:
https://www.ladybosspress.com/with-me-in-seattle
Acknowledgments
I want to give a HUGE thank you to my beta readers: Deb Bresloff, Pamela Carrion, Kelly Sisulak, Megan Kapusta, Beth Suit, and Tiffany King. For me, the beta reading process is absolutely critical as I can be a super forgetful person and sometimes write inconsistent details. You guys keep me on top of things, you catch my errors and appreciate my quirks. Thank you for taking the time to read every single chapter (and the other additions I end up posting in our group) that I write. This book wouldn’t be what it is without all of your awesome feedback and suggestions!
Deb Bresloff—thank you for loving Dev & Lyra as much as I do and for being my rock with this book. I appreciate all of your support so much. Thank you for always believing in me!
Pamela Carrion—Thank you for your devotion to our man, Dev! And thank you for all of your beautiful graphics. You are so talented and such a great friend!
Tiffany King—Thank you for believing in me and for reading my romance even though it’s not your favorite genre! One day I’ll write you a YA, I promise!! ;)
Beth Ehemann—thank you for insisting that this story idea be a full-length novel instead of a short story! It’s that conversation that set the stage for Dev & Lyra to have their story. Thank you for always encouraging me to push myself further!
Kristen Proby-- I am so happy to be an author with Lady Boss Press and will always be grateful for this opportunity you have given me. Thank you!!
Hollie Westring, I just love working with you! So happy that Tiff recommended you to me all those years ago. You rock!
Thank you to Kari March of Kari March Designs and Kristen Proby for the beautiful cover!
Thank you to my readers for reading and supporting me and my writing! You are so appreciated!
And finally thank you to my husband, Chris, who has supported me and every dream I’ve ever had. Thank you, sweetheart.
About the Author
Melissa Brown is a pop culture maniac and hopeless romantic--in fact, you'll see many pop-culture references in her books! She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and children. She enjoys writing contemporary romance and romantic suspense.
All of Melissa's books are currently available exclusively through Amazon.com and are part of the Kindle Unlimited Program. This is her second book with Lady Boss Press.
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