pulled out the small, burgundy velvet ring box and knelt down on one knee. Wanting her to have the memory of hearing the words from my chocolate bar’s label come from my lips, I asked, “Marry Me?”
She remained quiet, so I launched into my planned speech. “Violet, you are my entire world. I don’t want to live another day without you. If you’ll let me, I’ll gladly spend the rest of my life doing everything in my power to make you happy and loving you with every beat of my pre-owned heart. Will you marry me?”
A long moment passed as her eyes darted from mine, to the ring, to the huge chocolate bar, and back again. Just as I was beginning to wonder if she might turn down my proposal, she breathed out the single word that made me the happiest man in the entire world… “Yes.”
I whooped with excitement and stood to twirl her around in my arms. The factory workers and other visitors whistled, clapped, and cheered as they gladly joined in our big moment.
Vi whispered near my ear, “Let’s go back to our room to get naked and celebrate.”
“Fantastic idea!” I told her as I set her down and took her hand to jog out of the building. Laughter and catcalls followed us, since it was obvious why we were in such a hurry, but neither of us cared.
Since we didn’t want to waste all of our energy running back to our hotel room, we slowed it down to a quick walk once we were outside on the sidewalk.
With impeccable timing, Soraya called Vi. I had told the woman about my plan, so she was anxious to hear how it went.
I beamed with pride when Vi answered her phone, “I’m engaged to marry the man of my dreams!”
Even though the phone was pressed to Violet’s ear, I heard Soraya’s thrilled yell. Evidently not wanting me to be left out of the fun, Vi pressed the button to put Soraya on speaker and alerted her to the change as we continued our speed-walk to our hotel.
“I can’t wait to plan the bachelorette party,” Soraya’s smooth voice came through the phone’s speaker. She sucked in some air before adding, “We can play Pin the Junk on the Hunk.”
We were passing a family on the sidewalk, and Soraya’s loud voice carried out around us. The mother bulged her eyes out in our direction as she protectively covered her son’s ears.
My initial instinct was to apologize for the inappropriate outburst, but I was too giddily happy to let anything dampen our spirits. Besides, I sincerely doubted that Soraya’s risqué suggestion would be the worst thing the young man would hear today.
The girls chuckled and made grand plans, including creative ways to incorporate Reese into the wedding ceremony, as we completed our walk to our room.
While Vi used the keycard to unlock our door, I suggested, “Hey, maybe we could return to Hershey for the bachelor and bachelorette parties. You two could provide the entertainment by recreating the scene when you met and wrestled over chocolate. We could probably find a big vat of chocolate for you to roll around in.”
“Not happening.” Vi narrowed her eyes at me as we walked inside our room. Turning her attention back to her friend on the phone, she said, “Soraya, we need to hang up now. We’re back at our hotel room, so I’m going to give Oliver a private demonstration of my wrestling skills.”
Soraya’s deep chuckle sounded through the speaker, just before she said, “Sounds fun. Enjoy.”
Vi hung up the phone and set it down before turning her fiery gaze to me. I swallowed audibly as all of my blood rushed to my crotch.
Her eyes darted to the giant proposal-wrapped chocolate bar I was still holding. “I don’t know which of you I want more.”
“Have us both,” I suggested.
Her greedy gaze locked with mine, just before she lunged.
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Check out other books in the Cocky Hero Club series:
What happened to Claire Biggs in picturesque Brunswick Bay Harbor, Maine? Did her husband harm her? Did she run away? Find out by reading the addictive Brunswick Bay Harbor Gems. Read on for a sneak peek of Book 1, Shattered Diamonds.
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