I take another drink of coffee. After the s.e.x, we stayed up talking, smoothing things out until we both felt better. What happened was the first fight, and we both agreed it wouldn't be our last. I don't want it to be our last. Because people fight, people get mad over stupid things, and people even say stupid things they don't mean.

But they make up.

Because that's what you do when you love someone.

"I don't really know," I confess. "I like Grand Rapids, and it's not so far I can't come back here. And I like to travel around. I guess when I imagine myself settling down to pop out a few babies, this town would be nice to call home. Maybe. I don't know. It's so far away."

I rest my head against Ben's muscular shoulder. The swing slows and Ben pushes his foot on the deck again, keeping us in motion.

"But then again, this is all I know as far as childhood," I say. "If that makes sense."

"It does," he says. "And I moved around so much it's hard imagining what it would be like to have stayed in one place."

I nod, thinking how difficult that would have been for me. "We got a few years before either of us need to worry," I say, then feel embarra.s.sed. "And a few years before we decide if that worry is together or not," I backpedal.

"Right," he says. "Not worried yet." We swing in silence, and I finish my coffee. I set the cup down and twist so I can wrap my arms around Ben. "Tired?" he asks.

"Yes. Want to go inside and lay down?"

"I do, but I don't want to move."

I softly laugh. "Same here."

A few minutes later, we get up and move inside and in bed. Ben's wearing boxers and nothing else, and I have on his T-shirt and undies. We snuggle close together, hearts beating in sync. I close my eyes, listening to his heart beating.

Everything is right in my world again.

I have what matters. Love. Someone who sees me for exactly who I am and accepts me fully. It hits me then, that this is what life is all about. Not letting anyone confine you, not limiting yourself to fit in. Being you, and being happy.

Living outside the lines.

EPILOGUE.

Ben A year later Sunlight streams through the large windows in the kitchen, the ones that give a magnificent view of the water behind the house. There's hardly a cloud in the sky, and the day is already hot. It's going to be perfect for boating, perfect for going out to that little alcove, the spot that's become ours. I take my eyes away from the water and pick up my fork, stomach grumbling with hunger but nerves making it hard to eat.

"If you don't want the rest of your bacon, I'll eat it," Felicity says, eyeballing my plate.

I can't help but smile at her, moving my gaze to her face. We've been staying in Cabin 18 again, oversleeping and arriving late for breakfast at her parents again, like usual. Her hair is in a messy braid, her cheeks are slightly sunburned, and her sundress shows off her large t.i.ts that are hardly covered in a red and blue bikini top.

She's beautiful. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me, and today, I'm going to propose and make her mine for the rest of our lives.

If she says yes, that is.

I don't know why she wouldn't. We've talked about weddings and getting married and having kids. We've even walked through jewelry stores, looking at rings so I would know what she likes. I combined a few of her favorites and came up with the design myself.

I hope she likes it.

"When have I ever not finished bacon?" I ask, raising and eyebrow.

"Hey, there's a first for everything," she says and cuts into her pancakes. "Still tired?" she asks, lowering her voice. "I mean, I know I wore you out and all last night..."

"I wore you out," I shoot back. "How many times did you come?"

She kicks me under the table. "Shush! My mom's right over there!"

I laugh and look behind me. Her mom is busy washing dishes, unable to hear us talking. Besides, I think I can say anything right now and she wouldn't care. Being old fashioned, I asked her parents' permission for their daughter's hand in marriage.

They gave me their blessing and her mom has been on the verge of ruining the surprise all weekend. And now I'm on the verge of asking her over pancakes, because I want to see that ring on her finger, I want her to know that she's the one, that I'm never going to let one day go by without her in my life.

I want her to know that I love her more than anything in the entire world.

And yeah, I want to make sure she says yes and feels the same. There's always a chance when it comes to her. Felicity is full of surprises, which is one of the many things I f.u.c.king love about her.

"Ready to get wet?" I ask when we finish eating. She gives me another shut-the-h.e.l.l-up glare then wiggles her eyebrows and nods. Over a year of being together and the pa.s.sionate s.e.x hasn't slowed down. I hope it never does.

"On the water. What did you think I mean? You have such a dirty mind."

"Oh please, and you don't."

We put our dishes in the dishwasher, spend a few minutes talking with her mom. I cringe at how obvious she is, and feel relief when just the two of us finally go outside. The morning is spent riding the jet skis around on the water, not stopping until we're hungry and ready for lunch.

We've gone a few miles from the house, and dock the watercrafts at a lakeside restaurant and eat outside along the water. Then we ride around for another hour before going back to her parent's house to shower, change, and nap.

We spend the rest of the day on the beach, being lazy and just enjoying each other's company. Dinner is served late on purpose, and Felicity's mom asks her to stay inside and help clean up, giving me time to set stuff up by the water.

I move about frantically, getting the bonfire started, and setting up the blankets, wine, and candles. When it's finally how I want it, I panic and realize I left the ring in my bag back in Cabin 18. I run like a lunatic up the boardwalk, grab it, and run back down before Felicity comes out. I'm panting and out of breath, but not from the short run.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. It's Felicity's mom, letting me know Felicity is on her way.

I swallow my pounding heart and wait, watching her dark figure draw closer and closer, until firelight flickers off her beautiful face. She slows as she draws near, taking everything in. She's smiling and looks slightly terrified at the same time. Not terrified of what's to come, but terrified she's getting it wrong.

"Ben?" she asks, voice shaking. "What is all this?"

I go to her, taking her hands and leading her closer to the water. I kiss her, drinking her in and pulling her to me. I can't help but get turned on the moment our lips touch and I feel her body against mine. I never want to let her go.

"Felicity," I start, keeping my hands on her. "From the moment I spilled coffee down your shirt, to us standing here right now, I knew we were meant to be. There is no one else I can imagine spending the rest of my life with-you forgave me for mixing up Star Wars and Star Trek, after all-and you've made me the happiest man in the world."

She has tears in her eyes and one hand over her mouth. I reach around and pull the box from my back pocket, dropping down to one knee.

"Will you marry me?"

Her head moves up and down, unable to speak. "Yes," she says softly as tears roll down her cheeks. I take her left hand and slip the ring on her finger. It's a perfect fit, thanks to Erin finding out her ring size. Speaking of, she should be arriving at the house soon. Everyone closest to Felicity was in on this in some way, and they are all coming to celebrate.

I stand and pull her to me, kissing her for a few minutes until she pulls away to look at her ring.

"It's beautiful!" she whispers, turning her hand so the firelight catches off the diamonds.

"I'm glad you think so. I came up with the design."

She looks at it a minute longer than kisses me again. "So it's beautiful and one of a kind."

"It is. Just like you."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR.

Emily Goodwin is the author of the twice banned dark romance, STAY, as well as over a dozen other t.i.tles. Emily writes all types of romance, from love stories set in the zombie apocalypse to contemporary romances taking place on a western horse ranch. Emily lives in Indiana with her husband, children, and many pets, including a German Shepherd named Vader. When she isn't writing, Emily can be found riding her horses, designing and making costumes, and sitting outside with a good book.

STALK ME.

www.emilygoodwinbooks.com.

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