Chad collapsed onto her, taking in her scent mixed with his. Devyn’s arms wrapped around his neck, pulling his body close to hers.
“Let’s go home,” Devyn whined.
“The party just started,”
“Why would I want to be at this lame party when I could go home with you.” Her eyes shined looking up at him.
Epilogue
One year later
DEVYN QUIT MAXI’S A month earlier. She was sick of Alex Girdler’s impossible demands. Alex had only gotten worse since Chad’s favor got them a single shipment of Jamie Ray’s holiday line. She wanted to fire Devyn, and as badly as Devyn wanted out of her position, she decided to stick it out a little longer.
It had all been worth it though. Alex’s unreasonable demands had made Devyn even more determined to make something of her own, so when Chad offered up the idea of the two of them opening up a comic store on the other end of town, she couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Devyn wanted to live her life for herself, not for someone who didn’t appreciate what she brought to the table.
She peeled the sticker from the window letting the words shine in the early morning sun.
The Time Warp.
Devyn folded her arms, looking at the vinyl sticker on their building. Pride beamed on her face.
Chad was hanging a grand opening sign.
With Chad’s marketing experience,Chad was running the social media for their comic book store. The presence online had tons of people in their area excited that a “nerd store” was coming so close. At least that’s what Chad had been calling it. She found his comic stash under his bed when he had been in the shower.
“What do you think?” His arm slid over her shoulder.
“It’s perfect.” She smiled up at him. “It’s ours.”
Her heart thudded at the words. It’s ours. Even after getting serious with him, she still felt her belly flip at those words.
“I have one more surprise to show you inside.”
He took her hand and led her into the dimly lit comic store. He flipped a light at the front door. Devyn’s eyes grew wide, the pride radiating off her. All of this was hers. Theirs.
“What’d, you want to show me?”
She grazed the aisle of comic books, letting her fingers trail over the single issues sitting on the rack. She turned back around to the entrance.
“Devyn,” Chad started, dropping to one knee.
Her hands covered her mouth, muffling the small cry that had tried to escape her lips, “Chad what—”
His eyes welled. “Devyn hush. Don’t ruin this.”
Her expression shifted, the attitude back front and center. “Me?”
“Yes, you. I love you, dammit,” A single tear slipped over the rim of his eye. He opened the box in his hands. Devyn stepped forward, getting a better view of the box. “Marry me.”
“Is that a request or a demand?”
Her heart skipped a beat, waiting for his answer. Her smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Chad jumped to his feet, wrapping his arms around her waist, letting his lips crash against hers.
“It’s a request,” he growled against her ear. “Don’t make me ask again.”
She let her grin stretched across her face. “Then give me the ring asshole.”
Chad slid the ring over finger and engulfed her in a kiss.
The end
Find out how Maria navigates
her own love life...
Winter 2020
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Acknowledgements
THERE ARE A LOT OF people who helped getting me here. I guess I’d like to start from the beginning.
Brianna, I know you’re not reading this, but thank you. Without you, I’d never become the reader I am today. You were one of the best people I’ve ever known and without you, I would have never found my love for stories.
Courtney, Abby, Jordan, Kennedy. All of you heard about the blood, sweat and tears I put into this little novella. Thank you. You all read pieces and gave me your honest feedback, but best of all, you encouraged me and pushed me to keep going even when I didn’t want to.
I’d like to thank my editor and best work friend in the whole world, Katelyn. You made this book better than I ever could by giving me your feedback and showing me how to use a comma. Truly. Thank you. I also wouldn’t be anywhere without my amazing friend and critque partner Megan. Just thank you for the video call that saved me so much embrassment. We’ll just never speak of that again.
Aunt Misty. Thank you for having my back and never letting me give up on my dreams.
Lastly, I’d like to thank my amazing, supportive fiance. You let me sacrfice so much time so I could write this book. I wouldn’t be here without you. I love you endlessly. I couldn’t ask for a better man to have by my side.
Thank you for taking the time to read my book.
