My body buzzed with excitement as I thought about what that meant. Moving in together, getting married, having a life partner to do anything and everything with, accomplishing our dreams together. Before Leo, I’d never let myself think about a future like that. Now, it was all I could imagine.
“I want it all, too,” I whispered to him. “I’m ready to make all our dreams a reality.”
He dipped his head, lips brushing against mine as his mouth curved into a smile. “What are we waiting for then? Let’s make it happen.”
“You’re going to blind me with that thing,” I teased Jules as she rested her left hand on the bar top, the light reflecting off the pear-shaped diamond on a gold band.
Jules looked down at the ring with a wide smile. “I can’t stop staring at it,” she sighed happily, tears glistening in her green eyes. “I still can’t believe we’re getting married.”
I rounded the bar and pulled her into a hug. “I’m so happy for you,” I told my friend, more than thrilled for her and Wes.
Wes had proposed to Jules about two weeks ago, nearly to the day of when she officially moved to Golden Falls a year ago. The two of them had talked about getting married and spending their lives together, but Jules hadn’t expected him to pop the question this year, especially with how busy the summer had been at Lake Ridge. Well, Wes had a few tricks up his sleeve. I totally called it, by the way.
While the proposal had been private, Wes coordinated with his mom, Lily, and me on a celebration afterward at his parents’ house. He’d told Lily and me a couple days before the proposal, and while I’d done a great job keeping the secret, there were countless moments Lily nearly spoiled the surprise with how excited she was.
Luckily, Jules didn’t suspect a thing, including how Wes had coordinated for her family to make it into town to celebrate, too.
“And I’m happy for you, too.”
Lily and Jules had been ecstatic—but not at all surprised—when I told them Leo and I were moving in together. We’d also figure something out with his current lease, because it turned out being best friends with the building manager had its perks.
I pulled away from the hug and gave Jules’s arms a gentle squeeze. “I didn’t grab the Aperol from the fridge at the start of my shift. Let me go grab it and then I can make your drink while you tell me all about what you’re thinking for the wedding.” Knowing Jules, she already had plenty of ideas.
She grinned at me and pulled out her phone. “I can show you the inspiration pictures.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” I said with a smile before heading into the kitchen and to the walk-in fridge. I pulled open the door and spotted Leo grabbing a few vegetables for today’s prep.
He looked over, his eyes lighting up as he spotted me. He set the vegetables down and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me into him. “You look beautiful today,” he murmured.
I met his mouth with mine, my hand on the back of his neck to pull him closer. “I look the same as I did this morning.”
“Exactly,” he murmured against my mouth with a smile. His lips moved to my neck, his hot kisses mixed with the coolness in the fridge sending a shiver up my spine.
“Leo,” I moaned, and his hands moved down to my ass, groping it in his large palms. My fingers wrapped around the fabric of his chef’s coat, pulling him toward me as my back hit the shelves. “You’re distracting me,” I panted, hooking a leg around his hip.
“I can distract you even more if you want.” He grinned against my skin, nipping gently.
As tempting as that was, we were nearing the start of the first rush, and if I wasn’t back, it wouldn’t be a secret what we’d been up to. “Very,verytempting,” I said, holding back another moan. “But I think that’ll have to wait.”
A huff of protest escaped Leo, but he pulled back, pressing a final kiss to my lips. “Fine, but after work tonight, you’re all mine.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I pressed my body against his, my hand moving to palm his erection. “You might want to stay in here a little longer. Cool off a bit,” I teased with a wink. I reached to grab the Aperol and turned to make my way out.
“Always causing so much trouble.”
I didn’t have to turn around to know he had a big grin on his face.
Once I was out of the fridge, I smoothed my hair down and made my way back to the bar.
Jules looked up, and with one look at me, a knowing smile crossed her lips.
“I got a little held up in the back. Work stuff.”
“Uh-huh.” Jules smile widened. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”
I rolled my eyes with a laugh, starting on her drink while we chatted on what she was thinking for the wedding colors and timing.
Not long after, Wes and Cooper came up to the bar after finishing their game of pool. Wes was staying for tonight’s evening shift while Cooper was getting ready to head home.
