The Beauty of Us (Fusion #4)

“It might be autobiographical.”

Her lips twitch. “I like those kinds of stories.”

I nod and lick my lips. “I wasn’t looking to fall in love when I met you. I was excited about the opportunity to feature your business on television, but beyond that, I had no expectations. In fact, the week after we wrapped filming, I was supposed to fly to Miami to scout out another place.

“But then I met you, and I knew that you were going to be an important part of my life. I’m so glad that every other man before me fucked up so colossally. I’m so happy that they were all idiots, because they gave me the opportunity to show you how a woman should be treated.

“They gave me the opportunity to fall in love with you, and for you to love me in return. Riley, I’m not a young man. I’m not over the hill quite yet, but I’m experienced. I failed at this once before, and in that experience, I learned some very important lessons, the most important of which is trust. Mine and yours. Trust is a choice, Riley, and that’s something that we’ve always had for each other.

“And in that same vein, love is a choice. Every day, even when you’re pissed at each other. It’s a decision, that even though I may be disappointed or frustrated, or you may be ready to smack me on the back of the head, we will continue to choose love. The trust and the love go hand in hand for me, and that’s where I failed before. I’d chosen someone whom I certainly didn’t trust, and we chose not to love.

“I won’t do that again. With you, I’ve learned that there can’t be one without the other. Just like there is no me without you.”

Tears are falling down Riley’s cheeks as I sink to one knee and pull the ring out of my pocket, holding it up. Riley’s hands cover her face, but she continues to watch and listen.

“So, I’m asking you today, with all the love and trust in my heart, to marry me. Continue being my partner, my love, my life.”

“Trevor,” she whispers.

“Will you marry me, Riley?”

She nods and sinks to her own knees, cupping my face in her palm.

“Of course I’ll marry you.”

I slip the ring on her finger and pull her to me, kissing her like crazy. Suddenly we’re surrounded by everyone. They’re applauding, whistling, and the girls are crying.

“Everyone’s here?”

“I thought you’d like to celebrate with the people you love the most.”

We stand together, and I wrap my arm around her shoulders, not willing to let her go quite yet.

“She said yes!”

“We heard,” Nana says as she hugs Riley. “Congratulations, sweet girl.”

“That was a great speech,” Mia says. “It’s worthy of my pizza.”

“Wait, you made pizza?” Riley asks, her eyes as wide as saucers.

“That and carrot cake,” Mia says, smiling with satisfaction. “This man pays attention. You should keep him.”

“Oh, I plan on it.” Riley lifts her lips to mine. “I’m absolutely keeping you. I love you.”

“I know.”





Epilogue





One day later . . .





Riley


“Should we start inviting the guys to our brunches?” Addie asks the following day. We’re at our usual brunch place, just the five of us, drinking mimosas and eating a lot of food.

Like, a lot of food.

It’s our Sunday tradition.

“You just got engaged last night,” Mia says with a frown. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

“Yeah, why aren’t you in the sex cave?” Kat asks.

“I was in the sex cave all evening,” I reply, and shift in my seat, not just a little sore today. “Taking a break isn’t a bad thing.”

“She can go back to the sex cave later,” Addie reminds us all, and chooses an orange muffin from a platter. “I’m so happy for you, honey.”

“Thanks. I can’t stop staring at my ring.” It’s a beautiful halo ring, with a round diamond in the center. “Trevor said it was his grandmother’s.”

“That’s sweet,” Cami says with a smile. “It’s gorgeous.”

“I know.” I’m beaming, and I don’t care. I just got engaged, and I’m the happiest girl in the world. “Oh, and I have some news for you guys.”

“Please don’t tell us you’re already pregnant. I mean, let’s take some baby steps,” Kat says with a frown, making me laugh.

“No. No babies for a while. I have work news. Trevor has arranged for us to have a permanent show on Best Bites TV.”

“Wait,” Addie says, holding up a hand. “We’re going to have a camera crew around permanently?”

“We’re starting with six shows to see how it goes, and then they’ll renew from there. And, it’s not necessarily going to center around the entire restaurant. They’ll be focusing on one aspect.”

“No,” Mia says, immediately shaking her head.

“The kitchen,” I confirm. “Here’s the thing, Mia; they loved you. You’re a natural in front of the camera, and you’re beautiful. It’s a great combination.”

“What kind of stuff do they want her to do?” Kat asks.

“They want her to go head-to-head in a cooking competition with a celebrity chef. They haven’t decided if it’s going to be the same chef each week, or if they’ll switch it up each week.”

“Why me?” Mia asks. “You guys, I admit the show we already filmed wasn’t bad, but I don’t really want cameras in my face all the time.”

“Trevor is looking into using a studio so you don’t have to have cameras in the kitchen. It’ll be a set made to look like your kitchen.”

“Wow, the network is throwing a lot of money at this,” Addie says.

“They are. Mia, it’s a great opportunity for you. You’ll be compensated well.”

“Do they know who the celebrity guest is?” she asks.

“They already booked Camden Sawyer,” I reply, and try to hide my wince behind my champagne glass.

“No way,” Mia says, shaking her head adamantly.

“Come on, Mia, Camden was a long time ago,” Addie says. “It’s been close to ten years since you’ve even seen him.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Mia—”

“I said no,” she says, and stands. “I will not do a TV show with my ex-husband.”

She marches out of the restaurant, and the four of us are left staring at each other in shock.

“Did she just say he was her husband?” Cami asks.

“She did,” Addie replies.

“Well, shit,” Kat says. “This is going to be interesting.”