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Shadows fell across the papered-windows and anticipation had Chet bouncing on his toes. “Here she comes,” he said over his shoulder.
The door creaked open, a sliver of late-afternoon light sweeping across the concrete floor. “I don’t understand why you want to see the restaurant again,” Mia said, her cheerful voice lifting Chet’s lips. “We were just here the other day. Nothing’s changed since we closed except now I have to pay the mortgage. Renovations won’t start for another couple of days.”
Brooke entered the room then shoved the door the rest of the way open.
“Surprise!” A chorus of voices shouted.
Mia stood in the doorway, her hands pressed against her open mouth. “What is all this?”
Zoe entered behind her and flipped on the lights. She grinned and wrapped her arm over Mia’s shoulder. “Congratulations, honey. We’re so happy for you.”
“We sure are,” Brooke said. “As long as we still get a guest appearance from you at the retreat from time to time.”
Chet stepped forward, away from the crowd of friends, and swept Mia into his arms. “I don’t think you’ll be able to keep her away. She doesn’t know how to relax.” He pressed a kiss on her cheek. “Surprise, babe.”
She beamed up at him. “Did you do all this?” She extended a hand to indicate the cluster of people waiting to speak to her, as well as the tables of food that made the room smell like home.
He shrugged. “Didn’t do much.”
Wade laughed and approached with a drink in his hand. “Lazy guy didn’t even do much of the cookin’. Somehow managed to convince me to make my chicken.” He winked. “But anything for you, darlin’. Call with any questions.”
Chet tightened his hold on her and scowled. No matter how secure he was in his relationship, he’d never enjoy Wade’s flirting.
Mia’s chuckle turned into a gasp, and she clutched Chet’s sleeve. “Is that Bobby?”
“Yep. Tucker brought him and Missy. He’s been getting around a little better. Don’t know if he’ll ever be the same, but he’s a tough son of a gun.” He leaned over and pointed out another guest. “Your mom’s here, too.”
Her eyes rounded, and she turned into his embrace, wrapping her arms around his waist. She lifted herself onto her tiptoes and pressed her mouth to his.
It took every ounce of self-control not to drag her off and deepen the kiss.
She broke away, tears swimming in her eyes. “I can’t believe you did all this for me.”
He lowered his forehead to hers and breathed her in. “I’d do anything for you. Surprised?”
“You have no idea. But all this—” she waved a hand through the air. “Not the biggest surprise I’ve had.”
A pinch of disappointment made him dip his brows low. “Oh really? And what is?”
She grinned. “You are. Never would I have imaged the grumpy, pain in my ass neighbor would end up my best friend. My biggest supporter.” Her grin fell, and she stared deep in his eyes. “The love of my life.”
The side of his mouth ticked up and his heart swelled. “I might have some more surprises in store for you, my love.”
She hooked up one eyebrow. “You do? What?”
“You’ll just have to stick around to find out.” He crushed his mouth on hers, this time not caring about who watched. She was the woman he loved more than life itself, and if he couldn’t shout it from the rooftops, then he’d kiss the hell out of her in front of everyone in town.
He was done hiding in the shadows, licking his wounds and keeping everyone at arm’s length. He hadn’t survived to sit back and watch others live their dreams. He had his own dreams to see through. Because he’d walked alone through hell and came back with the greatest victory of all.
He had Mia, and he’d love the hell out of her every damn day for the rest of his life.
* * *
