Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 142801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
The pair looks at the paperwork. Heads shake and mutters are made.
“The application is for a spousal visa,” Rebecca murmurs, still red cheeked.
“Your second visa application,” Vernon adds snidely.
Gee, thanks for the reminder, Vernon.
“No, there’s been some mistake. That’s the wrong category of visa.”
“That’s all you have to say?” Vernon demands. “Nothing to explain the reason for two spousal visas?”
“No, not really.” I narrow my gaze, suspicious. Is Vernon from the immigration department or the morality police?
“Not that it has anything to do with Eve’s visa or, quite frankly, anything to do with you, but Eve is in a settled relationship.” Oliver adopts a superior tone, eyeing the pair as though they’re underlings.
“What about the Pulse Tok video?” Rebecca asks meekly.
“And the media interest?” Vernon demands. “Do you have anything to say about that?”
“Just that they’re very intrusive,” I reply, aggrieved. “They were already camped outside of the hotel when we got back yesterday.”
“I’d love to know who’s feeding them information.” Oliver fumbles with the pillow, and Rebecca squeaks at his inadvertent dick slip.
“Listen,” I say, trying very hard to master myself. “That pack of sharks has gotten most of it wrong. We didn’t split up,” I add in my most innocent tone. “I had volunteering commitments. On the other side of the world.” Totally plausible, right?
Vernon’s gaze slices my way. “I’m not sure I believe you.”
“Really? Well, last week, I spent hours applying ointment to that man’s infected mosquito ass bites while we were in Papua New Guinea.”
Oliver turns and flashes his taut, tanned buns. They’re still dappled with red, raised welts. Naked sunbathing will do that to you in the tropics—the mosquitos are on steroids over there.
“Enough of this,” Vernon gripes. “You need to prove to us that this is a legitimate relationship.”
“Hello!” I hold out my hand to indicate Oliver’s undressed state. In response to their blank stares, I add, “The man is butt nekkid.”
“Sex doesn’t constitute a relationship.”
But I can see Rebecca disagrees.
“What’s his favorite color?” Vernon demands.
I fold my arms with a sigh, then send Oliver an I told you so glare. “Remember this conversation? Didn’t I say we needed to go over this?”
“This is highly irregular,” Vernon puffs. “Miss Fairfax will be detained, likely deported, if we don’t see evidence that this is a real relationship.”
“You want evidence?” Oliver demands, Frisbee-ing the throw pillow across the room.
Rebecca gasps, and I squeak as all that gorgeousness eats up the floor between us. Swinging free, if you know what I mean.
Oliver whistles and Bo barks, bounding between us with a box between his teeth. Oliver takes it and drops to one knee.
“That was clever.” Really clever, though I’m not sure where I want to look most.
“The benefits of jet lag. We’ve been working on it while you slept, haven’t we, Bo?”
“I hope you kept your pants on.”
He doesn’t laugh, though his chest moves with a deep inhale. “I know it’s probably too soon, but when you know you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you just know. I might not know your favorite color, but I know mine is the red gold of your hair. I know you to be fierce and loyal and loving, and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to deserve you.”
My heart lifts, my whole being turning weightless. I glance down at my feet, not sure how they’re still touching the floor.
“I swear to love you with all that I am, over an engagement that spans years, if that’s what you want. Because my heart chooses you, my darling, from now until my very last breath.”
I have no hesitation. My heart is filled with nothing but certainty and love. His heart chooses mine, and mine his.
Tears course down my face as he flips the box open to reveal the ring of my dreams. A violet sapphire, almost the color of his eyes, a dainty row of diamonds circling it. My hand trembles as he slips it onto my finger.
“Eve, my love. My heart. Will you marry me? Sometime? Anytime? Just say you’ll always be mine.”
Epilogue
A Little Bird Told Us . . .
She said yes!
Have you seen the City Chronicle’s Pulse Tok scoop?
Did it bring a tear to your eye when our London billionaire (big boy) beau, Oliver Deubel, showed his American sweetheart, Eve Fairfax, (and the rest of the world) his naked love?