Hot Pickle - J.J. Knight Page 0,87
for the pictures, so I don’t look like a Lilliputian in the land of the giants.
I take three long strides toward him, like I’m on a runway. And miraculously, I don’t trip over myself and botch the effect. “The better to kiss you with,” I say.
“It’s true,” he says. “Your face is up here.”
“It’s almost time to meet the photographer for the groomsman shots,” I remind him. “We should probably head down.”
He takes in a deep breath, and it shudders as he lets it out. He’s nervous. About his brother’s wedding? That’s crazy.
“You okay?”
He widens the gap in the sheers covering the door to the balcony. “Once Jason’s wedding is over, everyone will be looking to us.”
“That’s all right. They know we’ve moved into the house.”
“They do.”
“We all seem to get along. I love when we come to New York and get crazy with your big family.”
He nods again, and I can tell something is getting to him.
“Max?”
He checks his watch. “Okay. Here goes.”
He takes my hand and leads me out into the sunshine beaming down on the balcony. It’s a small boutique hotel, so we’re only on the second floor. An intricate wrought-iron rail separates us from the busy city.
“Come close,” he says, pulling me against his side.
Below I hear music. Classical music.
I peer down. On the sidewalk below, a string quartet has set up and is playing something peppy and upbeat.
“How cute. They’re busking right outside the hotel.” I lean over to see them better, my arms propped on the rail. “Only in New York.”
“They’re good.”
“Is this what you wanted me to see?” The violinist must have a break in his music, because he looks up and waves. I wave back. It’s midsummer in New York and the weather is sublime. If we didn’t have the wedding, I could sit out here all day. The violinist sets his instrument back under his chin, and the music takes a quieter, more thoughtful turn.
When I turn back to Max, he isn’t standing anymore.
He’s kneeling.
“Camryn Elizabeth Shultz,” he says, and my hands fly up to my mouth.
“Max?”
His eyes are shiny, and his hands shake. “Some people claim there is no love at first sight. But I know the truth. Sometimes you see someone for the first time and just know.”
He clears this throat. “The crowd parts, and your eyes land on someone so perfect, so exactly what you’ve been looking for, that you know this is it. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for. That’s what it was like the day I met you.”
My throat is so thick I can’t even respond.
“I know I was a pain in your side that day. I messed up your schedule, I created havoc in your day. And I embarrassed the hell out of myself.”
“Not so much,” I tell him. “You have no idea how close I came to going back in that room and locking the door.”
His smile is ten miles wide when I say that, and his nerves seem to back off. “During the time we were apart, nothing made sense anymore. But thanks to my brother and Grammy Alma, I got one more shot. And today I want to make sure I never have to let you go again.”
He pulls a small green velvet box from his pocket and pops it open. “Camryn, will you marry me?”
I want to embrace him, kiss his head. But the stupid shoes are miles too tall so I reach out to touch his uplifted arm.
“Of course. Yes. Yes! I will marry you.”
He slides the ring on my finger, and I gasp. It’s the sort of ring you see on the hands of celebrities. Princesses.
“Max?”
“Only the very best for you.” He stands up, pressing his lips to the back of my newly bejeweled hand.
“Then you better kiss me,” I tell him. “Because otherwise, I’m going to assume this is only a dream.”
“Maybe it is.”
His lips are warm and gentle on mine. In the New York street below, the string quartet kicks the tune up a notch. A few people on the street must notice us, because a cheer rises.
A breeze ruffles my hair and Max pulls back to gaze at me. I imprint this moment on my mind. This man. This kiss. This day. I want to remember it forever.
The song comes to an end, and Max leans over the rail. “Thank you!”
As they play one last song, I say, “You have to get them back for our wedding.”
“You want to get married here in New York? Not L.A.?”
“I think so. I want to be with all your family.” There will be things to sort out. My brother. My parents. But that’s for another time.
“You are already a part of it.” His hand closes over mine. “I don’t want to detract from my brother’s big day.” He laughs. “Actually, maybe I do, but I won’t. So, should we keep this a secret? One last undercover romance before everyone knows we’re together forever?”
I look at the ring one more time. “Absolutely. I love keeping secrets with you.”
When we’re back inside the room, I pull a long gold chain from my jewelry box and slide the ring through. Max fastens it around my neck, and I tuck it under my dress, right over my heart.
We’ll think of a fun way to announce this later, but we’re late for pictures. We dash down the hallway to the elevator, hand-in-hand. When we catch up to Grammy Alma, who is also heading down, we share a conspiratorial grin.
“Don’t you two look like the cat who ate the canary,” she says as Max punches the button to go down.
“I have a question,” I say to her.
“Yes, child.”
“If you were to name a pickle after Max, what would it be called?”
She peers at her grandson, eyes full of mischief. “Damsel in Distress.”
“What?” Max asks. “Why that?”
She shrugs. “You might be the big tough one in our family, but it’s the rest of us who keep having to save you.”
“I love it,” I say.
“Done!” Grammy Alma says. The doors open and Max holds the door for us to step inside. She leans in. “And I say, make it the hot pickle.”
Max shakes his head as he enters the elevator and presses the button for the lobby.
He pulls me close. “You have secrets with everyone.”
When my gaze lifts to meet his, I see nothing but happiness and joy. That’s the way I hope it will always be.
Grammy Alma sighs. “Young love.”
Max leans his forehead against mine. It’s fun to have this little surprise for his family.
It’s a great secret. The best kind.
I hope you’ll keep it for us.
Gotta love those Pickles!
You read Jason and Nova’s secret boss love story, right? If not, go get Big Pickle!
Anthony is next with Spicy Pickle! Make sure you sign up for emails or texts to know when he arrives in early 2021!
Intrigued by Colt and the MMA fighters at Buster’s Gym? They ALL have their own series!
Colt and Jo’s epic love story in Uncaged Love.
Parker and Maddie’s second chance romance in Fight for Her.
Hudson and Chloe’s enemies to lovers romance in Reckless Attraction.
BOOKS BY JJ KNIGHT
Romantic Comedies
Big Pickle
Hot Pickle
Single Dad on Top
The Accidental Harem
MMA Fighters
Uncaged Love Series
Fight for Her Series
Reckless Attraction
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About JJ Knight
JJ Knight is one of the pen names of six-time USA Today bestselling author Deanna Roy. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her family.
To choose your next read from one of her fifty books, visit the web site Read Laugh Swoon to pick by book boyfriend, story line, heat level and more!