Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 64887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Drew shoots me finger-guns, making me chuckle, and then salutes Grayson.
I bring the mic to my lips again. “There’s one last ‘very important person’ Grayson and I need to thank, before we get back to our regularly scheduled programming and let the birthday boy blow out his candles. Actually, this person, more than anyone else, is responsible for Grayson and me getting together.” I shoot a wicked grin at Grayson. “Katie. Thank you, girl, wherever you are. We owe you one.”
Of course, Grayson bursts out laughing at my inside joke, but everyone else at the party looks visibly confused.
As much as I’m enjoying the looks of befuddlement all around me, I decide to let the crowd in on our joke. “Katie is the fool who gave Grayson a fake number in a bar about a year and a half ago,” I explain to the crowd. “And unwittingly led him straight to me, his future wife.” I smile at Grayson again. “His fate.”
“Amen,” Grayson whispers. He kisses my cheek and then raises his glass. “To Katie!”
The party enthusiastically echoes Grayson’s toast, and then mine, as well, when I shout, “To fate!”
As everyone around me drinks, I throw my champagne back with gusto, feeling euphoric. With my bubbly gone, I slide my arms around my new fiancé’s neck and laugh with glee. I can’t believe that wrong-number text brought us here—and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I love you so much,” I say to Grayson. “That was a perfect proposal, honey. I absolutely loved it. The perfect proposal for a perfect day.”
Grayson nuzzles my nose. “I promise this is only the beginning for us, my love—the first of endless perfect days of our happily ever after.”
EPILOGUE
SELENA
“Daisy, here!” I call out. But the damned dog is too excited in her reindeer antlers and jingle bells to stay put for our family photo in front of the Christmas tree. In fact, our old girl is surprisingly spry as she bounds around our family room like a runaway reindeer, leaving the rest of the family—myself, Grayson, Drew, and our three-year-old, Olivia, the blessing we adopted fourteen months ago—posed and waiting in front of Grayson’s tripod.
“Daisy-girl, come here,” Grayson coos calmly, his tone like warm honey. And, of course, the dog obeys her all-time favorite person, the same way she always does. I swear, as much as my beloved fur baby has always adored Drew and me, when she first laid eyes on Grayson seven years ago, she decided the tall man with the gentle spirit and calming voice was hers. Can’t say I blame the dog, given that I had pretty much the same reaction to Grayson the first time I saw him, too. When Grayson flashed me that wide, mega-watt smile at Captain’s all those years ago, I think I knew right then, somewhere in my soul, I was already a goner.
“That’s my good girl,” Grayson coos to Daisy, scratching the top of her head. But then, he goes on to say something that makes me press my lips together with impatience: “You want Daisy to stand next to you this time, Livvy?” Obviously, Olivia will answer her daddy’s question affirmatively, and I think it’s fifty-fifty re-positioning Daisy, especially on the far end of our family photo from Grayson, will throw our photo session into barely contained chaos, yet again.
Not surprisingly, Olivia responds enthusiastically, clapping her little hands and shouting “Daisyyyyy!” So, Drew, who’s best positioned to finesse this new configuration, takes the initiative without being asked, quickly grabbing Daisy by her collar and gently guiding her into position at Olivia’s little feet.
With the dog now sitting next to her, Olivia squeals and does a happy little shimmy that’s so adorable, my heart feels like it’s exploding at the sight of her . . . which only makes me chastise myself for momentarily forgetting what Grayson always says about times like these: It’s the journey, not the destination, babe.
It’s no wonder that’s one of Grayson’s favorite expressions, because it’s the perfect one to describe our life together, especially since we adopted Olivia. With Grayson as my husband, best friend, and teammate, life truly has been a most beautiful journey—or, rather, a most “pulchritudinous” one, as Grayson is so fond of saying.
Through Grayson’s example, from watching him steadfastly demonstrate unwavering love for me and our family, I’ve learned to savor even the simplest of interactions with him, and also with Olivia and Drew, as well, whenever Drew is home from school. Grayson has taught me to stop thinking ahead so much, to stop planning and trying to control what happens in life, but instead to be present in the moment and enjoy whatever comes our way, including unexpected curveballs.
“Okay, let’s try this again,” Grayson says brightly, loping toward the camera on his tripod. “I’ll set the timer for only five seconds this time. Hold onto Daisy’s collar, Livvy Loo!”