mixture of nervousness and excitement. We had taken several weekend trips together, but this was going to be our first real vacation. Taking this vacation had taken some convincing on Anderson’s part, as I didn’t want to be away for two weeks during this phase of the new store opening.
He titled his head and stared at me, so I repeated, “What?”
“Jurnee.”
“Yes.”
“Jurnee, one year ago today, we sat in this booth on the worst non-blind date ever. From that moment, my life changed. Every day I’ve woken up to look into your eyes has been the best day of my life. I never want this date to end.” My gaze dropped to the floor as my shoulders shook.
An open velvet box with a blinding diamond appeared, “Jurnee Joplin Messer, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Oh My God! That’s huge.” My hands flew over my mouth.
“That’s not an answer.”
“Yes.” I pushed out in a whisper.
Anderson took me into his arms as we stood. “She said yes.”
The entire restaurant erupted in cheer. I spun around to find all the people I love standing around us. Derrick grabbed me into a hug the second Anderson released me. “What? How did you get here?”
“Your fiancé flew us all out here in a private plane.” My mom bounced in place, waiting to get her hug. “I woke up this morning not having any idea I’d end the day in New York.”
“Welcome to my life, Mom.” I blew Anderson a kiss as he was getting pats on the back from Otis and Eric.
“I’m so happy for you.” Soraya jumped in on the hugs next.
Graham stood behind Soraya with a smile on his face. Bryan stood next to Faith as she chatted with Floyd and Elena. She rubbed her growing belly as she laughed.
“If you don’t like this one, we can pick out a different one.” He whispered into my ear as we both took a glass of champagne from the waiter.
“It’s perfect.”
Anderson beamed next to me as I stared at the ring now on my finger. His arms were possessive around my shoulders, and I leaned into him. Eric lifted his glass of champagne as our eyes met. He mouthed ‘congratulations.’
The evening slid into the night, and the party was winding down. Anderson cleared his throat. “We’d like to thank everyone for helping us celebrate. There are cars ready to take all the out-of-town folks back to the hotel or wherever you’d like to go in the city. Wheels up at ten, so cars will be outside the hotel at eight-thirty.”
“Wheels up?” The surprise on my face made everyone laugh.
“Homecoming.”
“You all are going to the game?” There was no hiding my excitement.
Soraya wrapped her arms around Graham, “We can’t wait to see these Spartans of yours.”
Graham chuckled, “Do not believe her. She’s only going for the beach.”
“Beach?” I spun around wide-eyed to look at Anderson. “It’s going to be one of those days, isn’t it?”
“What kind of day is that?” His grin was ear to ear.
“The kind of day where there is no telling where it will end.”
“Jurnee, I’m hoping to give you a lifetime of those kinds of days.”
Afterword
Want to keep up with all of the new releases in Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward's Cocky Hero Club world? Make sure you sign up for the official Cocky Hero Club newsletter for all the latest on our upcoming books:
To Vi and Penelope – thank you for this opportunity. Your generosity and kindness will never be forgotten.
To Dan – thank you for your calm, patient guidance through this process.
To my fellow CHC authors – I am incredibly honored to be walking this process with you all. Thank you for answering all the questions and providing so much encouragement that I’m sad to be finished.
To the CHC readers – thank you for giving my story a chance. As a huge fan of this series, I hope that I did it justice.
To Dana – Girl, your covers though!! Thank you for saving me EVERY single time!
To the team that helps me make my stories a reality … Richelle, Angie, Leela Lou, Sadie, Troy!
To my Canadian savior … Kyleigh – You are a genius, and I could not have completed this project without you. Thank you for your late-night pep talks, kicking my butt to complete deadlines, and editing the heck out of this story. See you soon!
About the Author
Alexandria Sure is from Michigan and has been writing since September 2014. She spends the long cold winter months writing the stories of the characters that live in her head. Summers are spent in the pool or at the lake. Alexandria can also be found chilling out at the coffee shop, at home binge-watching Netflix, or hanging out with her best guys, rescue puppies, Elliott and Cawood.
Sure’s first novel, Before Him Comes Me, is an unconventional romance of self-discovery.