We talk. We eat. We sing happy birthday and laugh until we cry when they bring out a cake with so many candles the smoke alarm goes off. Once that hubbub dies down, Nathan stands and clears his throat.
“So many of you asked what I wanted for my birthday this year,” he begins. “And I replied the way I always do. I have everything I could ever want,” he says, and half the crowd recites the words with him.
“I have a wonderful family and a job that gives me purpose, a beautiful girlfriend.” Nathan looks at me with those soulful eyes. A dreamy sigh floats through those listening with a quiet “Awww…” coming from my mother.
“This year, though?” Nathan continues. “I find myself in the strange position of wanting something I don’t have.” He smiles softly at me with so much love and respect on his face, tears unexpectedly well in my eyes. “A wife. A family of my own. A future with the love of my life bringing out the best in me day after day. At Micah’s wedding, I was sure love was a trap and I’d never be stupid enough to get married. But now, after you, that’s the only thing I want in the world.”
Gasps sound around the room and somewhere, Micah whispers, “I knew it!”
I place a hand to my heart as Nathan kneels beside me.
“Mina,” he says in a quiet voice, just for me. “Will you marry me?”
In his hand is a black box, opened to show an exquisite ring, simple yet dazzling, shimmering spectacularly in the light.
Tears well in my eyes and I glance up to see my mother grinning through tears of her own. Nathan’s dad wraps an arm around his wife’s shoulders and pulls her close, both smiling proudly.
I slide out of my chair and kneel beside Nathan, nodding as I throw my arms around him and nuzzle into his neck. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” I whisper, “but I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to earn it.”
“Is that a yes?”
I nod into his shoulder and then he’s sliding the ring onto my finger and kissing me while his family claps and cheers.
The first time Nathan kissed me, it was like my favorite time of day, gentle and unassuming, but filled with expectation and the promise of something wonderful. I didn’t want to like it as much as I did.
The second time he kissed me, it was inevitable. We were drawn to each other like magnets, incapable of ignoring the pull. It broke the definition of what we were and as much as I loved it, it left me confused.
Today, his kiss is sunshine after a hurricane. The first cool breeze on a humid August evening. It’s sweet and welcome and something I never knew I needed but don’t want to live without.
Just like him.
After all that’s happened between us, there’s one thing I know for sure:
I’ll never stop loving Nathan West.
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NATHAN’S PARENTS AND FAMILY
Did you love Nathan and Mina? You’ll adore his parents’ story!
Meet Nathan’s parents in BEYOND DREAMS.
You know that feeling when the famous musician you're totally crushing on shows up at your brother’s wedding dressed as Elvis?
Really? Huh. Guess it’s just me...
Collin West isn't just hot. And he's not just 'the next big thing,' either. He's the biggest thing to happen to music since...music. He's got heart. And soul. And the most adorable ginger hair that’s somehow always a little mussed. Add in his bangin' body and bedroom eyes and it's easy to see why the whole world loves him.
And he wants me.
Harlow Hutton. Not-so-secret lover of all things Collin West. Dreamer of big dreams. Thinker of deep thoughts.
He falls into my life like a fairy tale, whisking me away on a champagne and glitter adventure around the world. London. Paris. Rome. It's a dream come true...
But every princess has a villain. Throw in some demons from Collin's past and our dream might actually be a nightmare...
One thing's for sure, hiding in the swirl of music and passion, is the glimmer of a happily-ever-after bigger than I ever imagined possible.
I only hope we don't get burned in the process...
This standalone contemporary romance is chock full of heart, soul, and all the feels you're looking for!
If you love strong characters who fight for what they believe in, hot musicians in cheap disguises, and four, scowlingly sexy, protective older brothers in tuxedos, one-click now!
Meet Angela and Garrett in FATE.
He shouldn't have kissed me. But I shouldn't have liked it.
Garrett Cooper is grumpy. Bossy. Rude. Sparks fly every time we’re in the same room—and not the good kind. While I’m trying to brighten the mood, he’s dismissing me with a roll of his eyes.
One thing’s for sure. Garrett and me? We would never work.
But there’s the problem…
He’s my last, best chance to save my family’s hotel.
He waltzes into our business meeting—grinning like a Bond villain—and verbally eviscerates me in front of my father and uncle. I try to see the good in everyone, but the only thing this guy has going for him is dark hair, a rugged jawline, and black slacks that hug a fantastic rear end.
I convince him to one last meeting. Just the two of us. A do-over, if you will. Instead of focusing on business, the sparks between us catch fire.
Tall, dark, and evil has never been my thing, but staring into those stormy eyes makes me feel equal parts alive and uncomfortable. Nothing good comes from mixing business with pleasure, especially not with a man like this. Intense. Glowering. And holding the lifeline for my family.
Before I know it, inappropriate text conversations become an X-rated phone call I will never forget. Suddenly, this grumpy, growly man is feeding me strawberries in bed and what am I supposed to do with that?
He doesn’t do relationships. He doesn’t even do connection.
And I’m supposed to be closing a deal, not enjoying that trick he does with his belt.
I have to put an end to this.
I will put an end to this.
