We end the call, and I can’t help wondering if I’ve made a terrible mistake.
eleven
Fern
The Tipsy Tavern isbusy tonight, but I’m only here to pick up my to-go order and go back home. I want to make sure I’m ready for Wayan when he’s done having dinner with his brother.
“Here you go, Sug.” Our waitress from the other night walks up to me and hands me a wad of cash along with my to-go order. “I really thought the two of you would last longer than a couple of days.”
“Excuse me?” I have no clue what Shirley is talking about, but a shiver runs down my spine from the pity look she gives me.
“Over there, Sug. Your man is dancing with someone else. He met her here tonight, and they had dinner, now they’re dancing just like the two of you did the other night.”
I follow her gaze and see Wayan dancing with a petite blonde-haired woman—everything I’m not. “Like I said, he’s not my man. He can date whoever he wants.”
“Whatever you say, Sug.” She pats my shoulder, and I know I should leave, but I can’t stop staring at the man I’m falling in love with dancing with another woman.
Before I get a chance to pull myself away and leave, Wayan’s gaze lands on mine. A look of guilt crosses his handsome face.
I turn to leave, but not before handing Shirley back our bet money, “Please take it. I don’t want any reminders.” I glance back at Wayan and his date to find him walking toward me. I stuff the money in Shirley’s hand and run out the door.
“Fern!” He yells from behind me, and my traitorous body stops.
With what little dignity I have left, I reach into my purse, pull out the contract, and turn to face Wayan. “You’re on a date. So thiscontract is no longer valid.” I drop the takeout bag on the ground and proceed to tear up our friends' with benefits contract.
He reaches for me, taking each one of my shoulders in his large hands, “It’s over, right? Our contract, we are no longer bound to it.”
If he had slapped me in the face, it wouldn’t have hurt as much as his asking if we’re over. “Yes, it’s over.”
"Good," he says seconds before crashing his lips onto mine in a kiss filled with lust, longing, and desire—everything I always knew it would feel like. The kiss lasts for what feels like an eternity as we hold each other tight. Finally, he breaks it, leaving us both breathless. “This date was a mistake, but when Aspen and my brother cornered me about it, I felt that I had to go through with it, when all I really wanted to do was spend tonight and the rest of my life with you. I love you, Fern.”
I choke back my tears, “But what about settling down with a wife and a family?” I never thought I wanted that life, but with the right guy, I might.
“I love you, Fern. I’m willing to take whatever you give me, whether it’s as a wife, or a girlfriend, or even going back to the damn friends with benefits, as long as I have you by my side.”
“I love you too, Wayan. And I’d be honored to be your wife and the mother of your children.” As the words leave my mouth, I know they are true. Wayan is the only one I want.
Epilogue - Wayan
Ten Years Later
It’s my forty-fifth birthday,and our cabin is full of all our loved ones, from my brothers, their spouses, and children to Fern’s sisters, their spouses, and children, along with our own eight children. We’ve all come a long way in ten years. Even ourcabin has tripled in size since the day Fern and I met on my thirty-fifth birthday, making room for all of our children.
Fern and I didn’t waste any time getting married. We got married on New Year’s Eve of the year we met. Our first child arrived nine months later. For someone who never thought she wanted to get married and be a mother, Fern is the best wife and mother anyone could ever ask for. As far as all of our nieces and nephews are concerned, she’s also the best aunt ever.
“What are you doing hiding in our bedroom?” Fern asks, walking into the room and closing the door behind her.
“Just giving thanks for you, our children, and the fantastic life we've built together.” And it truly is a fantastic life. Fern and her sisters have opened numerous Curvy by Design bridal shops across the country, even though they all decided to stay here in Temptation Ridge to be closer to each other and raise their families together. Fern gave up her job with Aspen’s mail-order bride company, deciding she wasn’t cut out to play matchmaker after failing to find me a match within the Forever Yours database. Even though she did find me a match.
My brothers and I have also expanded our family business, creating five hundred new jobs in the mountains over the years. We make sure to give back to the town that started it all, Temptation Ridge.
She wraps her arms around my neck, swaying to some unheard tune. “The kids are spending the night with Laurel and Walt. I thought we could do that thing you like to do on your birthday.”
“We do that all the time, Fern, not just on my birthday," I tease.
“Ha, ha, very funny. You know I meant that we could actually sleep in late and make love all night long.”
“Sounds like the best birthday gift ever.” I bend down and place a kiss on her lips, something I make sure to do every chance I get, since I was denied her kisses when we first met and agreed to the friends-with-benefits idea. “I love you, Fern,” I whisper against her lips.
“And I love you, Wayan.”
-The End-
