Page 126 of The Perfect Distraction

“Oh. Well, next to your news, I’m not sure if mine will be as exciting.”

“Just tell me!”

Taking her hand again, he gazed into her eyes. “I was just going to tell you how much I love you and that I want you in my life, and Joey’s, forever. Or something to that effect,” he added with a twinkle in his eyes.

“Forever?”

“Unless you have any objections.”

“None at all.”

“Good. Oh, and there is one more thing.”

“There is?” She couldn’t imagine what else there could be, but then he reached into the side pocket of his cargo pants and lifted out a long black box.

“Colton? What…?”

“So, I went to the jewelry store the other day—the one in town.”

“Yes…”

“And I looked at engagement rings, but I worried you might think it was too soon. I knew we still had a lot to discuss, and I wanted Joey to be involved too. So, for now, I chose this.”

He handed her the box. and she took it with trembling hands. Please don’t cry. Please don’t cry, she chanted in her head as she opened the lid.

Inside was a delicate gold necklace with two interlocking hearts dangling from it.

“I chose two hearts instead of one because you stole both our hearts—mine and Joey’s.”

“Oh, Colton. It’s perfect. I love it,” she said as she lifted it out of the box.

“Here. Let me put it on you.”

She was grateful for his help because her hands were shaking so much she might have dropped it. He reached around and clasped it for her, and then he ran his fingers down the chain to where the hearts dangled against her skin.

“Is there such a thing as an engagement necklace?”

“I don’t know,” she said, laughing and crying at the same time.

“Well, there is now. I just made it up. Seriously though, I promise to love you and cherish you forever if you’ll let me. And that goes for Joey too, even though he’s not here to tell you himself.”

Flinging her arms around his neck, she held on tight, and he rocked her gently as the sun disappeared on the horizon. All the fear and uncertainty leading up to this day had been replaced with joy and hopefulness about their future.

She’d come to Harbor Springs with the goal of mending her broken heart. She’d never imagined that instead, she’d find love with not just one man but two—Colton and Joey. A bonus!

Even though there were still obstacles to be overcome, her future felt infinitely brighter and filled with possibilities. She never would have guessed that what had started out as the perfect distraction would become the perfect love—times two!

THE END