I gasp.
“I know our relationship may seem unconventional to some, but it’s our story, and it’ll always be my favorite one, no matter how many other chick flicks you make me watch or how many romance novels you read.”
I release a sob, laughing between.
“Will you marry me, Viola Fisher?”
I nod because I’m too overcome with emotion to speak actual words.
“Yes? Is that a yes?” he clarifies, smiling up at me.
“Yes!” I shout. As he slides the ring up my finger, he places a kiss over my knuckles.
“You just made me the happiest guy in the world. Do you know that?” He stands up and cups my face. “The fucking happiest.”
“And you say you aren’t like the guys in my romance books?”
He leans in and kisses me, softly at first, and then opens my mouth wider with his tongue and presses deeper. I groan against his lips, and he grips my waist tighter.
“Dammit, I want to fuck you right now,” he whispers against my lips, and I chuckle. “How’s that for romance?”
“I’d say you nailed it.”
“You ready to find out if we’re having a little prince or princess?”
“Yes!”
Chapter 20
Travis
NINE MONTHS LATER
“Courtney!” I bellow from my office. “Get in here, please!”
“Yeah, boss?” she asks, peeking her head inside. She’s dressed up more than usual, which is really no surprise since it’s Friday. Drew always stops in and brings everyone lunch at the end of the week. It’s one of the arrangements I’ve had to make to get Courtney on my permanent staff. She’s proved to be an asset, and after she had started getting offers from other companies, I knew I had to up my game to keep her even if that meant offering Drew as bait.
“I have a one o’clock interview, so any lunch shenanigans need to be done before then.”
She steps in and rolls her eyes at me. “Please, Travis. Drew has made it very clear that we’re just friends.”
“But that hasn’t stopped you from trying.” I curl my lips up in a mocking smirk. She hates it when I give her shit for crushing on Drew.
“Well, I’m not a quitter,” she says, shrugging. “Those cuffs might come out to play one of these days.”
I snort and shake my head at her. “You’d have more luck devirginizing a monk.”
“Hey, don’t tempt me.”
“Trust me. I’m not.” Drew is an idiot for not taking Courtney up on her offers. She’s gorgeous and smart and looks at him like he’s the best thing since Nutella. But Drew isn’t over Mia yet, which is a damn shame, so he keeps Courtney at friend-zone distance. As far as I know, they only talk and text each other about Viola, the wedding, or the baby. Courtney is the maid of honor, and Drew is my best man, which gives Courtney more excuses to be around him. I only hope he gets over Mia before it’s too late and Courtney has moved on.
“So, where are you taking Viola this weekend?” It’s our first weekend away since the baby was born six months ago in February. We haven’t had a date night since, and we’re ready to have some alone time without having to schedule it between feedings, diaper changes, and afternoon naps.
“That’s a surprise,” I retort.
“C’mon, I won’t tell!” she pleads, but I know better. Those two tell each other everything. And I do mean everything.
“Fine!” She folds her arms over her chest and frowns. “But when you can’t find the network IP address to the printer again, don’t ask me!” She starts walking back out of my office.
Laughing, I yell for her to come back, and I tell her. “I’m taking her up to a cabin at Lake Tahoe. No TV, no internet, no cell reception. Completely off the grid,” I say with an anxious smile. “There’s a landline for emergencies, though. I know Viola will worry if there’s no way to call home.”
“Good, you two need it.”
“Trust me, I know. I plan to make Viola exhausted for an entirely different reason this weekend.”
“Yeah, yeah. You’re going to hump like rabbits. Spare me the details.”
“Who’s humping like rabbits all weekend?” Drew asks from the doorway, and Courtney spins around so fast, I swear she’s going to fall on her ass.
“Your sister and Travis. They’re going up to the cabin to bang all weekend.”
Drew sighs. “That’s an image I’ll never get out of my head, thank you.”
“Until you’ve walked in on them, you have nothing to complain about,” Courtney says with a visible shiver.
“Well, that’s what you get for walking into my office without knocking,” I fire back, remembering that day very well.
“Sex on the clock, huh? How come when I suggest personal time on the clock, I get told to get out of your office?” Courtney quips.
“Get out of my office,” I say without a beat.
Drew laughs and shakes a bag of food at her. “I have your weekly bonus.”
“Perfect, I’ll be taking my lunch break on the clock.” She turns and glares at me.
An hour later, Courtney lets me know my interviewee has arrived and said to prepare myself. Rolling my eyes at her comment, I tell her to send her in. A moment later, the door swings open, and the moment I catch sight of her blond hair and designer purse, I can barely hide the gasp that releases from my mouth.
I look at the clock and realize Travis will be home any moment. I haven’t started packing yet, and I know he’s going to want to leave as soon as his mother arrives.
Grabbing a suitcase from the closet, I glance at my reflection in the mirror and frown. I look like a hot mess; I haven’t showered in three days, and my hair contains dry shampoo and baby spit up. It’s piled on top of my head with a rubber band I found on the bathroom floor. Sweatpants and a holey T-shirt complete my less-than-glamorous look. I haven’t worn makeup in months, and I can’t even remember the last time I wore clothes that didn’t come with a stain or an elastic waistband. But the truth is, I’d rather be at home with the baby than pushing papers in a corporate setting. I get paid in snuggles and coos, and I wouldn’t give up those moments for a winning lottery ticket.
“Viola!” I hear Travis yell from the staircase. I quickly rush down the hallway and shush him. “Oops, sorry.”
“You know it’s naptime!” I whisper-hiss as he walks up the stairs.
“I know, I’m sorry.” He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into his chest, pressing his lips against my forehead. “I’m just so excited to get some alone time with you this weekend.”
“I am too, but I’m nervous to leave the baby.”
“Don’t be nervous. Everything will be fine. The baby will be fine. We’ll be fine. I promise.” He tilts my chin up and presses a soft kiss on my lips. “Are you going to be okay?”
“Yes, I’m just not feeling well.”
“It’s nerves, princess. We need this, okay?”