I keep dragging him with me until we reach the dock where Coop is leaning against his plane.
“I wondered if you were going to show up,” Coop says, though his irritation is clearly feigned.
King furrows his brow. “I’m not sure any surprise that involves Coop is something I’ll like.”
“Ha! Good one. You almost sound serious. Now, I don’t have all day, so all aboard or forever hold your peace.”
We’re quiet as the plane rumbles over the Atlantic, but the closer we get to the island, the more King starts to recognize where we are. He grabs my hand when the tiny island comes into view, but I think he’s afraid to look at me. I’m not sure what horrible thing he thinks might happen this time around, but I’m determined to take the bad memories of this place and turn them into better ones.
Coop smoothly lands the plane in the water and gets us as close to the beach as he can right as the sun starts sinking on the western horizon. The winter clouds glow orange and pink, and I couldn’t have planned a better night for this. I thought about saving this for Christmas, but I couldn’t wait two more weeks.
Before we get too far up the beach, Coop shouts after us. “Just your friendly reminder that I’ve got things to do and places to be, so I will not wait around for hours while you two fool around in the jungle.” He points at me in warning. “And you,” he says to King. “I intend to leave with as many passengers as I brought with me, and I will not be blackmailed into leaving anyone behind in case you decide you need to even the score.”
King looks at me, one eyebrow higher than the other. “Are you ever going to tell me what dirt you have on Coop?”
“Oh, it’s so good! But if I tell you now, I can’t use it against him later.”
His smile turns mischievous. “I’ve got plenty of other info we could use. You should tell me.”
I laugh. “Later. I only have so much time to get this right if we don’t want to end up stranded.”
I’m not about to take Coop’s warning lightly. He’s got himself a wife now who, according to him, irritates him to no end, but he seems happy. And I’m sure he’s eager to get back to her.
If I had more time, I would take a little path through the trees that leads to a gorgeous waterfall, which is where things went down the last time we were here, but I’ll content myself with the beach bathed in the golden glow of sunset.
Taking my spot in front of King, I drop to one knee.
Both his eyebrows shoot up. “Oh, you’re actually—”
“Hush, Kingston. It’s been ten years, three months, and fourteen days that I’ve owed you this, so let me get it all out, okay?”
He nods, a smile playing on his lips.
I take a steadying breath. “You were my first date. My first kiss. The first boy who made me think I knew what love felt like. When you’re young, everything feels bigger than it is, and my feelings for you were so overwhelming that I barely knew what to do with them. And when you promised me forever, that felt…” I shrug. “It felt too big. And I was scared. So I ran away and didn’t look back, and I have regretted it ever since.”
His smile shifts into one of empathy. “Georgie, you don’t have to—”
“I’m not done, Royal, so close that beautiful mouth of yours and let me finish.” I huff a sigh of frustration, struggling to remember what I was planning to say next. Adding this speech on top of the episode was a bad idea, but it’s too late to go back so I press forward. “I have regretted a lot of things in my life, especially settling for anything less than the unconditional love that you have always given me.”
“Lane was an especially terrible decision,” he agrees.
I glare at him.
“Sorry. Continue.”
“Royal Kingston, being married to you these last six months has been better than I ever thought it could be, and I am so lucky to have you as my partner in life.” I reach into my pocket.
King’s eyes go wide. “If you’re going to propose to me, Shortcake, I’m going to have to remind you that you’re already my wife, so it’s kind of too late to…” He drops off when he catches sight of the folded piece of paper in my hand.
I smile and hold it out to him. “I hope it’s better than a proposal.”
Taking the paper, he unfolds it slowly and then squints at it in the dwindling light. I can see the exact moment when he comprehends what he’s reading, like a fire bursts to life behind his eyes. “It’s the deed for the bakery.”
“I got Vanderman to do some rearranging of ownership because it was no longer accurate.”
His voice grows rougher. “You added me back on. And you’re…” He looks up, swallowing. “You changed your name?”
“The world needs more Kingstons. You should never have to be alone. Speaking of more Kingstons…” I reach into my pocket again, this time with trembling fingers.
King doesn’t wait until he sees the ultrasound. He pulls me to my feet and wraps me up in the tightest hug, holding me like he’s suddenly afraid to let go. “Georgie.” My name is barely a whisper, but that whisper says so much.
“For better or for worse, you’re stuck with me now,” I tell him and hold him just as tightly.
He laughs, the sound warm and comforting. “Better. Life with you is always better.”
The End
Other Books in the Coastal Kisses Series
Crush Landed by Michelle Angus
To Have and to Scold by Deb Goodman
The Deal Maker by Britney M. Mills
