Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
I stand up, and when I walk inside, my friends are all laughing and hugging. Abby holds her hand out to me, and I join in, hugging each of them. “They’re coming home,” I say.
We all cheer, and everyone is talking at once. I hate to interrupt the celebration, but I want to tell them before I leave. “So there’s something I need to tell you guys.”
I unlatch my necklace, pulling off the engagement ring and making a big to-do of putting it on my finger. I hold my hand out. “So before he left, Colter and I got engaged.”
They all squeal and take turns hugging me.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell us!” Abby says.
Emerson puts her hand on her hip. “Heck, we could have had the wedding planning done in these last two weeks. Congratulations, Poppy!”
We spend the next hour celebrating, but we’re all ready to call an end to the night earlier than planned since all the guys are coming home.
My man is coming home, and I’m going to make sure I’m home, waiting for him.
EPILOGUE
COLTER
Two years ago, if someone had told me this was going to be my life, I would have told them they didn’t know what they were talking about. But here I am, surrounded by all my friends, engaged to the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.
Jason, Elias, Kanan, Davis, and Zach are all surrounding me, but I keep looking toward the bathrooms waiting for Poppy to come out. Of course, it may be a while because she went in there with Teresa, so I’m sure they’re talking.
“Congratulations, man. You deserve this.”
Zach holds his beer bottle up. “I’ve never seen you this happy. The woman must be a miracle worker or something.”
I nod, unable to keep my smile contained. “She’s the best.”
Davis nudges him in the ribs. “What about you, man? When are you going to settle down?”
He holds the beer in his hands, and I noticed he’s not drinking. “Haven’t you heard? I’m not tameable.”
We all laugh. Zach has no idea because love comes when you least expect it.
Elias holds his hand out. “Wait, haven’t you guys heard? He is going on his first assignment.”
It’s been two months since we found Zach and four of Walker’s other mercenaries in some jungle across the world, and Zach has been hard at it since he got home. The guys started a private security firm called Stronghold. They haven’t found a building—hell, I don’t think they’ve done most of the things people do before starting a business, but it seems Zach is already taking on clients.
“What’s the assignment?” I ask Zach.
Before he can answer, Elias cuts in. “He can handle it. He’s babysitting some kid.”
Zach looks at Elias. “She’s not a kid. She’s Logan’s little sister.”
Elias points at him, laughing. “Wait, hold up, you’re protecting your best friend’s little sister? Isn’t this the same woman that followed you around and told everyone you were her boyfriend?”
“Stop,” Zach says.
But there’s no stopping Elias once he gets going. “No, seriously, she’s the one that would tell people you were going to marry her someday.” He shakes his head. “Dude, you are in so much trouble, and you don’t even see it.”
Zach looks confused. “What do you mean?”
Davis takes pity on him. “Forget him. It will be fine, I’m sure. Just don’t break any rules and you’ll be good.”
“What rules?” Zach asks.
Davis looks at him. “Like messing around with your best friend’s sister.”
Zach shoves Davis playfully. “Fucker, you’re married to my sister and have kids with her. You broke all the damn rules.”
Davis doesn’t look the least bit ashamed and just shrugs his shoulders.
They keep giving each other shit, and as soon as I see Poppy walking toward me, I hold my hand out to her. “See you later, guys.”
I lead Poppy to the dance floor. “You okay?”
She melts into me. “Well, let’s see, I’m engaged to the man of my dreams, and you’re marrying me in two months. Yeah, I’d say I’m more than okay, Colter.”
I kiss her forehead because I know if I touch her lips right now, I won’t be able to keep it PG. “I wish we were already married.”
She rubs her pelvis against me. “Me too.”
I freeze against her. “Don’t say that to me because I’ll have you at the Justice of the Peace tomorrow.”
She puts her arms around my neck. “I told you I didn’t care where we got married. We can do that if you want to.”
I stop dancing and look into her eyes. “You would do it, too, wouldn’t you? If I asked you to marry me tomorrow, you would?”
She ruffles the hair at my nape. “You know I would.”
“Fuck.” I grunt. “Baby, there’s nothing I want more than to be married to you, but I’m not ruining your dream wedding. We’re going to do this right.”