Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 102394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
He looked up, his eyes sparkling in the sun. “Baby, I don’t even know how to put into words how much you mean to me. I hope I’ve proven to you by now that I will always love, honor, and protect you. Please say you’ll be my wife, so I can continue doing that for as long as we live.” His chest rose and fell as he awaited my answer.
“Oh my God. Yes!” As he stood, I wrapped my arms around him. “You really surprised me. I knew this was coming…but not today!”
Wes held me tight in the middle of the driveway, the ball having rolled into the grass. I looked down at the gorgeous, pear-shaped diamond on a gold band. At the end of my book, where the couple got engaged, I might’ve snuck in details about my favorite diamond shape. Good to know he’d been paying attention. Although, of course, when it came to love, the ring didn’t matter. Wes could’ve given me one that came out of a bubblegum machine, and I would’ve been just as happy.
I pulled back for a moment. “It’s beautiful.”
“I’m happy you like it.”
“Like it? I love it.”
He kissed my forehead. “You’ve been long overdue for a beautiful piece of jewelry. The only other piece I’ve ever gifted you was that cheap cock and balls from Venice.”
“I thought it was a cactus.”
Wes smirked. “It was always a cock and balls. It was my cock and balls you’ve been wearing around your neck all this time.”
“I knew I should’ve gone with my first instinct. How was I so gullible? I’ve worn that thing to church!”
He cackled. “I think you should wear it when we get hitched.”
“I might.” I laughed.
My attention then turned to an ice cream truck approaching in the distance. I’d never seen one in this area before. When I looked over at Wes, the smile on his face told me this was planned.
It parked right in front of the house, music blaring. I was certain our neighbor was going to be pissed at us yet again today.
I turned to him. “What’s going on?”
“The final surprise.” Wes beamed as he took my hand. “You once told me your dad used to have the ice cream man come after all of your soccer games when you were younger. That was one of your good memories about him.” Wes grinned. “He sent this for you today.”
I covered my mouth. “He did?”
He shrugged. “With a little help from me, yeah. Since…you know…he can only do so much from where he is. But it was his idea.”
Wow. That warmed my heart.
Wes took my hand as we walked toward the truck. “He gave his blessing, by the way.”
Warmth flooded me. “Oh, I hadn’t even thought about whether you’d asked him…”
“Well, he gave me his permission—right after he told me he’d have me killed if I ever hurt you.”
I shook my head. “That sounds like my father.”
Wes let go of my hand. “Let’s order a celebratory ice cream.”
As I perused the menu on the side of the truck, the window where you order slid open.
“Surprise!” someone yelled.
My jaw dropped. “Mom!”
My mother ran out of the truck to wrap her arms around me. “Hope this is a good surprise. Wes wanted me to help you celebrate the engagement.”
“I can’t believe this.” I squeezed her. “This is the best day of my life.”
“Do we have room for one more person?” my mom asked.
“I thought you were no longer using Paulie…”
She shook her head. “Not Paulie.”
“Surprise!” Wes’s mom shouted as she came out of the truck as well.
“Oh my God!” I ran to her. “Joanna!”
She hugged me tightly. “I think you can call me Ma now.”
“I’m so lucky to have two beautiful moms.” I looked at each of them before smiling over at Wes.
After Wes embraced them both, I turned to him. “How the hell did you pull this off?”
“I’ve been orchestrating it for weeks.”
Wes explained that he’d hired a friend to pick up both our mothers at the airport and drive them here in the ice cream truck.
As the four of us entered the house together, all I could think about was the surprise I’d planned for him tonight. I hadn’t expected there to be an audience, but perhaps the more the merrier.
Later that evening, Wes had cooked a delicious Italian dinner with a side of smoked sausage for the moms. We’d finished eating, and I was chomping at the bit, looking out the window for the delivery man.
When I finally saw the lights of the truck pulling up outside, I rushed out to fetch the box, my heart pounding.
Our mothers and Wes were sitting at the dining room table, still lingering over dessert when I entered the room carrying the box.
Here goes.
“Look what just came!” I opened it in front of them and took out the single copy of my novel.