Why Not Tonight (Happily Inc. #3)

“You’re welcome.” She got in her seat.

He watched as his mother went back in the house. “I stopped seeing who she was and all she did for me. I forgot what was important and only focused on a single lie. I should have remembered everything else, only I didn’t.” He looked back at her. “I remember now.”

“Good. You’re not mad at Nick, are you? For getting in touch with her?”

“No. He did the right thing.” He touched her arm. “I’m sorry you got caught up in all this. I hurt you and I never wanted that to happen.”

“I’m tougher than I look.”

“You are.”

His gaze settled on her face. She tried to read what he was thinking. There was still so much they hadn’t talked about, hadn’t cleared up. She wasn’t sure what to say, so thought maybe he should be the one to initiate the conversation. Which sounded smart and mature but was so not her style.

“San Francisco?” he asked.

“I can’t wait.”

The drive into the city was relatively quick as they caught one of those rare traffic lulls. Before she’d really had a chance to decide what she was going to say, or not say, or if she was going to insist on her own room, they’d pulled up in front of the Ritz-Carlton. She took in the beautiful entrance and knew that once again Ronan was going to dazzle her. The man was good at that.

The check-in process was quick. In a matter of minutes they were in an elevator, then on their floor. Ronan opened the door to their room and let her step into what turned out to be a beautiful suite.

It was close to sunset and the first thing she saw was the view of the city with the bay beyond. There were a couple of sofas and a doorway leading to what she assumed was the bedroom, but none of that mattered. Not when she saw the bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket and rose petals scattered on the floor.

She looked back at Ronan, who crossed to her. He led her to the larger sofa and drew her down next to him.

“When you told me you loved me, I couldn’t handle it,” he said, staring into her eyes. “You overwhelmed me.”

In a good way or a bad? But before she could ask, he was speaking again.

“You are the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. Your spirit, your optimism, your beauty. You have the most giving heart. You’re smart and stubborn, and I am grateful every day that I’ve had the chance to get to know you.”

He touched her cheek and smiled. “I, on the other hand, am a moody bastard who dislikes everyone and rarely sees good in the world.”

“That’s not true.”

“It’s a little true, but I’m changing. I’m becoming a better person.” His expression turned serious. “I was so afraid of who I was. No, that’s wrong. I was terrified of turning into my father. The idea obsessed me, even as I told myself focusing on what I didn’t want was sure to make it happen. I needed a better role model. Running from something wasn’t going to be enough. Then you tumbled into my life.”

“I didn’t tumble,” she whispered, hoping, barely breathing and loving everything he was saying.

“You crashed your car into a tree.”

“It was raining and not my fault. If you’d bothered to take your cell phone home, none of this would have happened.”

“I know. I think about that. How if I’d just remembered, everything would be different and what a tragedy that would be.” He cupped her face and kissed her. “You’re my miracle, Natalie. You are the best person I know and I’m grateful to you for everything you’ve done for me. I have no idea why you’d bother to love someone like me but I’m going to accept the gift and hope you never change your mind.”

He slid to the floor. She was confused for a second, then realized he was on one knee.

Her heart actually stopped beating. She couldn’t breathe and desperately didn’t want to start sobbing because she was not a pretty crier.

Ronan reached around her and withdrew a ring box from behind the cushion, then opened it, revealing a stunning, incredibly beautiful diamond solitaire ring.

“Natalie, I love you. I have for a long time. Being with you is the best part of my day. I want us to share our lives. I want to have children with you and grow old with you. I want to stand in the crowd as you accept awards and accolades for your brilliant art and I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. Will you marry me?”

“I don’t know what to say,” she admitted, then laughed. “Yes. Yes! I love you, Ronan. Of course I’ll marry you.” She flung her arms around him and hung on as if she would never let go. He held her just as tight before he slid the ring on her finger. It fit perfectly and just looking at it made her heart race. Or maybe that was being so close to Ronan.

“I love you,” he whispered. “For always. I promise.”

She knew in her heart that he would keep that promise. That he would protect her and care for her and be an amazing partner for the rest of their lives.

He kissed her, then led her to the window. They watched the last of the sunlight fade and the city come alive with sparkling light. The view was beautiful, bright with possibilities.

“There’s a balcony,” he whispered in her ear. “I brought some eco-friendly, biodegradable paper with me.”

She grinned. “Paper airplane contest?”

“You know it. I’ve been practicing in secret.”

“You think you stand a chance?”

He stared into her eyes before kissing her again. “Not from the first second I met you, and I’m grateful for that.”

“Me, too. Always.”

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If you loved the charm and romance of Happily Inc, read on for an exclusive peek at how another local couple found their happily ever after!

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Not Quite Over You

by Susan Mallery





CHAPTER ONE


LOVE AT FIRST sight was never a wise decision, but Silver Tesdal couldn’t help herself. Sure, the Airstream was a few years old, with a couple of exterior dents and a messed-up interior in need of complete refurbishing, but still, the lines, the space. It was everything she’d wished for. She would need a three-quarter-ton truck to tow it and more staff, but she could make that happen—at least in her dreams.

There was a second, smaller Airstream in even worse condition but the twenty-three-foot length would be perfect for low-key affairs. She could already picture what the two would look like refurbished and sporting her AlcoHaul company logo.