Jock Row (Jock Hard #1)(93)

My own palm covers my mouth—just like in the movies—my wobbly legs holding the swing steady.

“I loved you from the minute I laid eyes on you, Scarlett. I love you, so I’m asking you here, in front all of these witnesses…” He gestures toward the house, where an entire party full of people have their faces pressed against the glass of the living room window.

Laughter bubbles up inside my stomach.

“Would you rather suffer a lifetime without me or marry me and be my wife?”

I drop down on my knees beside him. “I want to marry you and be your wife.”

When our foreheads press together, Sterling snaps the velvet ring box and lets it fall to the ground, cupping my face. Kissing me senseless on the front porch where we met.

He gasps then says, “Let’s get married right here.”

I pull a face. “Uh, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We have plenty of time to figure it out.”

“Come on, honey, it would be so fun.”

Yeah—for him and his baseball buddies.

Someone inside bangs on the window, and we look up to see Ben Wilson waving at us. “What did she say?!” he shouts through the glass.

Sterling looks at me, fumbles and feels around on the ground for the ring. Plucks it up and re-opens the box, removing the pretty little ring nestled inside.

Slides it onto my fourth finger.

I turn it this way and that, letting it catch the light as we both admire how perfectly it fits.

He clasps my hand and holds it up for everyone in the house to see. “She said fuck yeah!”

Unruly cheers erupt and the music explodes back on, blasting louder than it was before, booze flowing freely. I watch as someone shakes a gilded champagne bottle, pops the cork, and detonates it over the entire crowd dancing in the center of the room.

Oh jeez.

I eye the scene dubiously. “That floor is going to collapse into the basement.”

“Yeah, maybe we shouldn’t rush inside just yet.”

He’s so very wise.

And so very mine.

Forever.

“We like it better out here anyway,” I point out. “In our spot.”

We lean into each other again, lips touching. “I love you so fucking much.”

“I love you too.”

“Plus, you’re the best lay I’ve ever had.”





THE END





ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


This book was more difficult to write then you’d probably expect, and I never set out to write something laugh-out-loud funny. Or sweet. Or sexy. These characters took on lives of their own. Scarlett and Sterling wanted drama-free as much as I tried to throw in a little conflict.

Wasn’t happening.

I’m glad I listened, because I love this couple and hope you did, too.

It takes a village, so I want to say Thank You to the slew of people who made it possible for me to hit publish. I don’t even know what order to put any of this in, so I’m just going to wing it:

To Starbucks in my little corner of the world: you go above and beyond. Best brew and crew in the Midwest.

The members of Neys Little Liars, for loving my books and not minding when I’m MIA for days and days at a time. Forgive me, for I am writing….

Thank you to my assistant, Christine Kuttnauer (wife #1). You’re my friend, my therapist, my left and right hand… [insert Batman flapping Superman’s cape GIF here] Pretty sure my life would be utter shit without you.

My Beta readers, Laurie Darter (wife #2), Kristin Cipolla, and—Christine. I absolutely rely on these women for honest, critical feedback—and they delivered, even though it hurt. I don’t think anyone realizes just how much effort goes into a Beta read. The time it takes to comb through and send notes. Thank you.

My copy editor, Becca Mysoor with Evident Ink. You may have single handedly saved this story.

I might be a drama queen, but there’s no exaggerating that truth. To say you have an attention to detail would be a disservice and an understatement. You and your mermaid hair are brilliant.

My cover designer, Sarah Hansen, at Okay Creations, who always kills it. And tolerates when I nit-pick, but with an eye roll.

Gel Ytayz (Tempting Illustrations) for my gorgeous marketing graphics.

And to my clean up crew….

My Editor, Caitlyn Nelson, who I’m certain pulled an all-nighter for this one but was too sweet to tell me so. I will buy you all the taco’s you can eat. And Jennifer VanWyk—your side comments had me laughing more than once.

Danielle Sanchez, my publicist with Inkslinger, PR—thank you for having my back (and my front)—who I’m certain only humors my dumb jokes while she’s trying to be serious and get shit done.

And last but not least: my agent Kimberly Brower (Brower Literary Agency) for representing me with such class—and a special thanks to Aimee Ashcroft (Brower Literary Agency).

Now.

On to writing Love, Sincerely, Yours (with Meghan Quinn) and JOCK RULE (Book 2 in the Jock Hard series). See you on the other side.





Other Titles by Sara


The Kiss and Make Up Series


Kissing in Cars

He Kissed Me First A Kiss Like This





#ThreeLittleLies Series