? ? ?
I lay awake most of the night wondering if Jillian and Skylar and even Madam Psuka were right. Was everything I wanted right there in front of me and I just didn’t recognize it? Was I too stuck on the idea of what I thought the fairy tale would look like? After twenty years of being just friends, had a few days of crazy bound Miles and me for life?
Was this our story?
How did it end?
I sort of felt like the prince had come to rescue me, and I’d turned him away from the castle. But you know what? I didn’t want to be rescued by the right thing.
I wanted to be swept away.
I went to work the next morning, tired and emotional and still uncertain what would happen next.
We got busy fast, and again I looked up every time the door opened, hoping to see Miles walk in. Around ten, I was surprised to see Skylar come in, a big grin on her face.
“Hey,” I said, pouring coffee for someone from behind the counter. “What are you doing here? Not working today?”
“I’m going in late. Can you take a break? I have to show you something.” Her eyes twinkled, and I wondered what she was up to.
“OK. Sure, come in the back.”
She came around the counter and followed me through the kitchen into my little office. “Have your phone?”
“It’s right here.” I reached into my purse, which was sitting on the desk. “What’s going on?”
“Did you see Miles’s post today?”
At the mention of his name, my heart quickened. “No. Why?”
“Look at it.”
“Why?” I asked again, but I was already searching for it.
“Just look.”
I searched his name with trembling fingers and fidgeted impatiently while the results loaded. Scanning the top hits, I clicked on the right one and gasped when I saw the title.
It Happened. I’m in Love.
I know what you’re thinking.
It’s impossible. The only thing that guy loves more than his dick is…well, nothing.
And a couple months ago, you’d have been right.
But there’s this girl, see? Remember Cinnamon Buns? It’s her.
Her name is Natalie. I don’t remember not knowing her. We’ve been friends forever. But I’ve always wanted to be more.
I’m glad I had to wait, though. I needed to wait.
I don’t think I would have appreciated her enough five years ago, or one year ago, or even six months ago.
But now…
Now I can’t breathe when I see her.
Now I can’t sleep without her next to me.
Now I can’t be happy without her in my life.
Now I can’t believe I ever thought she wasn’t the one.
I once told her I wasn’t capable of loving someone completely and forever, but I was wrong.
I was so wrong.
Now I want to spend the rest of my life proving it to her.
I just hope she’ll let me.
My phone was shaking in my hand. “Oh my God.” I looked at Skylar. “Oh my God. He published this?”
She nodded.
“Hey, Natalie?” Hailey called from the kitchen. “Can you come out here? I need you.”
“Oh, shit.” I put a hand to my cheek. “Is my face flushed?”
“Yes.” She giggled and fanned it. “But you better get out there.”
I moved past her and went through the kitchen into the shop, my pulse skittering out of control.
Then I gasped. The entire place was silent, all eyes on me. On the wall opposite the counter, where the pictures of Skylar usually hung, were four huge new photos.
Of Miles.
He wore the same jeans and t-shirt in each one, as if they’d all been taken the same day, and in every photo he held up a different hand-painted sign.
I moved closer, my hands covering my mouth, as I read each sign.
The one on the left said WILL.
The next said YOU.
The third said MARRY.
The last one ME?
Heart pounding, I looked around the room. Was he here somewhere?
“Pssst.” Seated at a table near the door, a little old lady pointed outside. “I think that’s what you want.”
I turned, and sure enough, out on the sidewalk and framed in the window, was Miles. Down on one knee. Holding a ring box.
“Oh my God.” On wobbly legs, I walked to the door and pushed it open. “What are you doing?”
He smiled and took my hand. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m upending your life.”
I laughed as a few tears splashed down my cheeks.
“Did Skylar show you the post?”
I nodded, swallowing hard. “Did you mean it? What you said?”
“Of course I did. I love you, Natalie. Let me show you how much.”
“But—”
“Just listen. I know I’m not what you planned on,” he said, his expression turning serious. “And believe me, I never thought I’d be down here on one knee, begging to love someone forever. But this is not a mistake.” He squeezed my hand, his eyes filling. “I feel it in my bones, Natalie. You’ve always been in my heart. You’ve always been the one I couldn’t forget. And all last night I kept thinking that this—you and me and this baby—it wasn’t an accident. It was exactly what was supposed to happen all along.”