The Troublemaker - Cathryn Fox Page 0,68
right things.”
His smile is a little wobbly when he says, “If you’ll let me, I’d like to spend the rest of my life saying the right things to you.”
Tears spill down my face, my emotions on such a roller coaster ride, it’s almost impossible to think straight. “I think I could get behind that.”
Warmth races through me as he kisses my fingers again. “Am I the right guy for you?”
“You’re the only guy for me,” I say and he lifts me from my chair and spins me around. I squeal, my heart full of love and laughter. I take in my new restaurant as he spins me. My God, I still can’t believe he did all this to show me how much he loved me. He really is one of the good guys, and I’m the luckiest girl in the world.
He sets me back on the chair and goes down on one knee. “You wanted something special, Kins. You wanted something just between us that we’ve never done with anyone else.” He takes my hand, and asks, “Will you stay my wife?”
I laugh. “I can’t say anyone has ever asked me that before.” He smiles at me, and while it might be impossible, I fall a little more in love with him. “Yes, Cason, I’ll stay your wife.”
His smile is so big, he reminds me of a child on Christmas morning. “Then how about we christen this place, Mrs. Kinsley Elizabeth Palmer-Callaghan?”
“That’s kind of a mouthful, Cason.”
He grins at me. “Speaking of a mouthful…”
Epilogue
One month Later
“I am so nervous,” I say to Kat as we take a peek out into the dining room.
“Don’t be,” Kat says as she ties her apron around her waist. “This is going to be a fantastic opening.”
“That’s right, Kinsley,” Jason says. “Kira said we’re almost completely full tonight.”
I turn to look at Jason. “Did she now?” I tease, knowing full well he has a crush on the hostess.
“What?” he asks and squares his shoulders as he goes back to his prep work. “It’s what she said.”
I chuckle and look out into the dining room, and my nerves jump. I check my watch and nibble on my bottom lip.
“Don’t worry, he’ll be here,” Kat says and nudges me.
I laugh. “I hate that I’m such an easy read.” Truthfully, I know Cason would move a mountain to be here on opening night, but his practice has to come first and if they run late, there is nothing he can do about that. While I want my husband—I will never get used to saying that—I totally understand he has to work, too.
Just then Katee, Quinn, and my sister-in-law, Nina, all walk in the door together, and my heart jumps, thrilled that they are here to support me tonight. My in-laws follow behind them and I wave. Cason introduced me to them right after I agreed to stay his wife, and I am lucky to have such great friends and family, but I’m sad that my own parents haven’t talked to me since the backyard fiasco, and probably don’t even know about this place. But I can’t think about that right now, not when a beep lets me know our first order is in.
“Okay, let’s do this,” I say and we all turn our focus to making the best damn food in Seattle.
As the three of us work, and what an amazing team we make, a new set of footsteps on the kitchen floor reaches my ears. I turn to find Cason coming toward me, a huge smile on his face.
“Hey, babe,” he says.
“You’re not supposed to be back here,” I tell him, as I go up on my toes for a kiss.
“I should leave then?”
I chuckle. “Not before you kiss me.”
His lips find mine and I’m sure I just heard Jason say, “Get a room,” under his breath.
“How are things going?” Cason asks as he rubs my arms and glances around.
“Fantastic. I can’t believe this is really happening. I almost want to pinch myself, to make sure it’s not a dream.”
Cason reaches around me and pinches my ass. I yelp. “Not a dream,” he teases and nods toward the dining room. “Half the team is here and we’re all hungry.”
“It’s so nice that they’re here to support you, Cason.”
“They’re here to support you, Kins, not me.”
I smile, and lean into him, but then his face changes, his smile drops as concern dances in his eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
He rubs my arms again. “I didn’t come here alone.”
I stiffen, having no