Page 29
Story: Engaged In Espionage
“Oh?”
Her eyes connect with mine and she grins. “I did figure out your secret, just way too late. And now I’m going to win.”
I frown. “What?”
“I kind of overheard Maddie and Connor talking on the way to the hotel, and decided to beat you at your own game.” She slides out of the table and onto her knees.
Wha—“Nope.” I slip onto my knee, and pick her up by the waist, helping her back into the chair. My bruised body rejects this position, but I've been dreaming about this moment for months. Not even a broken rib or two will stop me. “That’s my question to ask.”
Her laugh echoes through the restaurant and people look over, gasping and sighing, but nothing takes my attention off of this woman.
“This wasmysecret and I get to do it.” I raise her hand to my lips, kissing the back of it as I slip the box out of my pocket.
She squeals, her knees shaking and her eyes clouding over. She’s not going to let me get all the words out. That’s okay because I have the rest of my life to show her how much I love her.
“Amelia Quinn, you came into my world and tipped it upside down. And I had no idea that was exactly what I needed. You make me a better man—”
Her squeals get louder, and she covers her mouth with her hand. I shake my head. “I will spend every hour of every day showing you how much I love you. Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” Her voice is so loud and clear, the room erupts in applause. She flies out of her seat and straight at me. As it so often happens when I’m around Amelia Quinn, she knocks me off balance and takes me to the floor. Pain encapsulates every inch of my body, but it's worth it for this moment right here. I wheeze a laugh as she pops her head up above me, her wild curls framing her face. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Agent Sexy Pants.”
And then she kisses me. On the floor of the STRAT, with many onlookers, without a care in the world.
“I can’t wait to be Mrs. Sexy Pants.”
“Didn't I tell you? You always have been.”
Epilogue
Amelia
“Everythingisready.”Maddierushes into the bridal room, rocking the heck out of her blue dress and her six-month baby bump. She gets to work fluffing my hair and checking my train.
“I wasn’t worried.” I smile reassuringly at her.
“Really? Because you invited Caleb’s dad, Liam, and a bunch of FBI agents. That’s just asking for trouble.”
I look at her now. “Did Thane come?”
“No,” Maddie says. “Thank goodness.”
I suppose that is for the best. Caleb will be happy since he didn’t want me to invite Thane in the first place.
“Are Sean and Gus ready to walk down the aisle?”
She raises a brow. “They are going to eat the flower petals and pee on the aisle.”
Probably. But I couldn’t imagine getting married without my favorite duo.
There’s a knock on the door and Connor pokes his head in. “Ready, sis?”
“I was born ready.”
“You were born premature, that’s why you’re so short.”
“Your jokes are getting worse. Maddie, how early can we check him into the retirement center?”
“Okay, come on. No time for sibling rivalry; we have a wedding to attend.” Maddie ushers us out of the bridal room and down the hall to where the ceremony is taking place.