Page 157 of Cuffed (Everyday Heroes 1)
“It isn’t a painted zombie rock, but I think it will make you happy all the same.”
“This can’t be . . .”
“My backup plan.” His smile is wide as his eyes dance with excitement.
“What did you do?”
“I’ve been doing a lot of overtime for the department, so I figured why not use it as a down payment on a new business venture. It’s always been a dream of mine to own a business. You know, have something to fall back on when I retire from the force.”
“Grant,” I say his name again as I shake my head in disbelief. I must be freaking dreaming right now.
“I have some confessions to make,” he murmurs as he shifts and wraps his arms around me from behind as we both stand and stare at the new sign. “They were all in on it. Every single one of them, even poor Leo. I haven’t been working late because of the station, I’ve been madly scrambling to convince the owners of Blue Skies I’d be a better fit than the backup offer they were just about to sign on. That, and paying them a little above asking price had them changing their tune on which person they thought would be the best buyer. Then I had to get paperwork for loan docs. Desi was enlisted to keep you busy and away from my house. Leo has known for the last few days and played along so he didn’t spoil the surprise.”
“So, there is no Fly High?”
“There is, but not with you two. I’ve already called them and told them you wouldn’t be showing up.”
“Grant . . . I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything.”
“I need to say everything.” I laugh as none of this sinks in.
“No, you said all I needed to hear upstairs.” He presses a kiss to the back of my head as Leo whoops at something, and Desi’s cackle rings across the tarmac.
“This is too much, Grant. I can’t—the money—”
“I figured I didn’t need a new patio after all.”
“But you put in all that overtime.”
He shrugs sheepishly. “I assumed if you had a place of your own, you’d be stuck with me. You can’t go gypsy when you have roots. And I want you to have roots, Em. Here. With me. Ones that tangle with mine and can never be ripped out. Lazy Sunday together ones and white picket fence ones.”
“I’m stunned. Shocked. Overwhelmed.”
“This is yours, Em. Your school. Your dream. Yours. My dream has always been you, and I have you. Your dream is the school, and now you have it. Oh, but there’s one caveat.”
“Anything,” I say, still thinking I need to pinch myself.
“The new owner says it’s against code to have someone living in the hangar.”
“He does, does he?” If I could smile any wider, I would.
“Yeah, he’s a stubborn SOB, so I don’t think I can get him to change his mind . . . but I happen to know one half of a king-sized bed that’s unoccupied.”
“I snore.”
“I know.” He laughs.
I turn to face him for the first time and know I could never repay him for what he’s given me. The safety. The security. The love. The friendship. The humor. The opportunity.
“I’ll pay you back. I’ll work harder than—”
“I’ll count on it,” he murmurs as he presses his lips against mine.
“I’ll sign an agreement to—”
Another kiss.
