Page 40

Two Months Later

Jordan

My hands grip the steering wheel and I get honked at again as I struggle to park the car. The pink balloons are taking up the entirety of the backseat, blocking my view. If it wasn’t for Alex and Malia’s help, I probably couldn’t have fit them in the car at all.

But today is Alice’s book release, which means I’ll put up with all the balloons, and the cold weather, and the rude drivers on the road, if it means I can surprise her with the best day ever.

I manage not to pop any balloons and make my way to the back of the bookstore. I knock exactly three times as instructed and wait.

The door swings open and I peek around the balloons to see a grinning Ash. “Jordie, you made it,” he whispers, and holds the door open for me to enter.

“Stop calling me that,” I whisper back, and look down the hallway for a glimpse of my girlfriend. I catch a glimpse of blond hair and her pink cherry bow-patterned dress and I smile to myself.

“Aw, you’re such a simp,” Ash says, and punches my shoulder.

“You’re one to talk. What’s that on your wrist, huh?”

He smirks, looking cocky with his dark red hair that’s getting longer than usual. His most recent tattoo peeks out of his jacket and he grins down at it.

“It says Eli … in cursive,” I deadpan, answering for him.

“Yeah, well—welcome to the simp club.”

“Is everyone here?” I ask, taking a few small steps into the bookstore.

“Oh, yeah. Alice is distracted by Olivia and Malia, so all I have to do is send the text and everyone will come in.”

It took some coordination, but we managed to get all our friends, family, and even coworkers to come support Alice for her big day. Her teacher friends, her mom’s bookclub, and even some of the Manticores and their wives and girlfriends, were happy to come out.

“Okay, let’s do it,” I say. Ash sends the text and leads me over to Alice’s table.

The conversation dies down as we approach, and I place the balloons on the floor by her table. I smirk down at it, seeing that she’s got goodies laid out next to her books, and a pink tablecloth. God, she’s so fucking cute.

“Surprise!” I yell out, holding out the bouquet of flowers for her.

“J, these are so cute! Thank you,” she says, rushing to give me a hug. Her voice sounds wobbly and I give her a squeeze before tilting her head up to better see her expression.

“Are you okay?” I ask, noticing her glassy eyes.

“Yeah, I’m just so happy,” she says with a laugh.

Thank god. I didn’t want to kick anyone’s ass today for making her cry.

“You’re amazing and I love you,” I say, stealing a quick kiss.

She doesn’t get a chance to reply because the next moment, all our friends, families, and coworkers walk into the store, taking up the small space of the first floor. There are easily forty people here, and Alice is stunned.

“Oh, J. Did you do this?”

“I figured everyone needed to hear about your amazing book. Now’s your chance to tell them.”

A tear falls down her cheek and I catch it with my thumb. Alice gives me her most radiant smile and kisses me on the cheek. “I love you so much, hotshot.”

I bask in the happiness that radiates from Alice, stepping back and letting her sell books with the help of Olivia and Malia. When I spot a stack of flyers on the table, I grab them and head outside.

Ash, Eli, Robbie, and Alex are all outside chatting and I narrow my eyes as I step in their direction. The conversation stops abruptly, and my eyebrows fly up.

“Talking about me?”

They all look at me with a mixture of apprehension.

“Okay, what’s going on?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.

“When are you gonna propose?” Ash asks bluntly, and I choke on air. Wow, they really were talking about me.

“None of your business.”

“But you will, right?” Eli asks, frowning.

“Of course. What has gotten into you all?” I ask incredulously.

“Well, we just thought you might propose today,” Alex says, hands in his pockets, the picture of nonchalance.

“And take away from her accomplishment? Hell no.”

“That’s—a really good point,” Robbie says, nodding.

“Did you all seriously think I was going to propose to my girlfriend on her book release day, and then back out of it?”

“Well …” Ash ponders.

“A little,” Alex admits, shrugging.

“ Kyll? ,” Eli mutters in Finnish.

“Sorry,” Robbie says, wincing.

“Wow, unbelievable. Just for that, you’re all gonna stay out here and help me hand out these flyers,” I say, passing them out to each of my friends.

“Excuse me, ma’am, do you like romance books?” Ash yells after a middle-aged woman and Eli swats at him, saying, “Subtle, hani .”

“So there will be a proposal?” Robbie asks me quietly.

I roll my eyes and whisper just for him to hear, “She already said yes.”