Hating the Book Boyfriend (Book Boyfriend Builders)

Epilogue

NEW YEAR’S

COLTON

I know it's fast, and some would call me crazy, but in my eyes, crazy is just a word people use when they don't understand. It doesn't hurt that I don't give a fuck about what anyone thinks. The one person I cared about hurting is fully on board. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little butt hurt about how okay Archer was when I told him about my feelings for his sister. I couldn't help but reflect on all the years I missed with her. However, I'm not a complete knob. I know if I had a sister, I wouldn't want my friends coming over thinking she was free game, especially in high school. In the end, it doesn't matter because I got the girl. Well almost.

"You know, I was thinking, what if she says no?" Archer asks as I finish lighting the candles.

"You're her brother. Do you think she's going to say no?" I shoot back, unworried. There's no doubt in my mind she will say yes. He's probably asking to see if I have cold feet.

"It's a possibility. We both know JoJo has a mind of her own. Hell, it's one of the reasons I didn't lose my shit when you laid everything out at Friendsgiving."

"One of the reasons?"

"Yeah, the other is I know you, Colton. You assume I see the guy tabloids have made you out to be, but I don't. You might be a prickly fucker from time to time, but I know there's a heart of gold behind that heartless exterior."

I nod and take a look around, checking to ensure I remembered everything. "Are you ready to make that call?" I ask.

"Yeah," he pulls his phone out and dials Josephine on speakerphone.

"What's so important you're calling me instead of texting?" she answers on the second ring.

"I need you to come give me a jump. My battery died."

"Did you try calling Colton? I'm not sure I have cables in my new car."

I make a mental note to order jumper cables tonight when we get home before saying, "I'm with him, Posey. Don't worry about the cables. Archer has a set in his truck. We just need your battery."

"Where are you guys at?"

"The old farm lake," Archer supplies.

"Alright, I'll be there in a minute," she says before clicking off the call.

"Do you think she's onto any of this?" Archer asks.

"No, not with how busy the farm is this time of year. Since Christmas has come and gone, this is the first time in weeks she's had any downtime." The last thing she'll be expecting is a proposal, which is why it is the exact time to do it. I've made it clear that my intention is to marry her. I even put it in a damn contract which means over the next few months, she'll start expecting it, and the element of surprise will no longer be on my side. "You should head up to the truck. Wait until you see her walk down here to take off." We parked the truck in the trees so she wouldn't see it and walk there first.

"Alright." He puts his hand out and pulls me in for a pound hug. "Good luck."

"Thanks," I say as headlights turning down the dirt road show up sooner than expected. Archer takes off in a slow jog and now the nerves I didn't think would come do. I know without a doubt that she will be my forever, and I believe in my soul the same is true for her. So why does asking feel so heavy?

I hear her car door close before I see her crest the small hill that leads down to the lake. I can only see her silhouette, but even at this distance, I can see she knows what this is, but she doesn't know all of it. I watch as she slowly makes her way down the hill. The closer she gets, I can see her attire, and in the scheme of things, she might deduct a few points from my proposal because I didn't consider that she'd show up in joggers, cowboy boots, and a crewneck with a messy bun for my big ask. But to me, she's perfect. This is us.

When her face comes into view, she covers her mouth with her hand as her eyes dart between me and the setup. I have the bench we sat at for the first time surrounded by candles, and a bushel full of posies is lying atop the worn seat. She stops in her tracks, her emotions getting the best of her as her eyes get glassy. I lead her to the bench before dropping down to one knee.

"Josephine Estes, this is the exact spot where you stole my heart the day I met you, so I thought it was only fitting that it be the same spot we start our forever. It's no secret that I want to make you my wife. Will you make me the happiest man on earth and take my name and make it yours?" I ask as I open the ring box containing a three-carat pear-shaped diamond.

She drops to her knees in front of me. "As long as you promise to chase me when I'm stubborn and stay when I make you mad."

"Always," I answer without pause before I seal my lips over hers.

I've only just parted her lips when she swats my chest and pushes me back. "Wait, where's Archie."

He honks his horn and flashes his lights from the top of the hill. "Congratulations. Remember, Callahan, you hurt my sister, I'll kill you, you rich bastard," he says before pulling off.

I can't help but smirk at his antics. "For the record, he helped me set this up." Her eyes swing back to mine, and I'm grateful to still be on my knees because the happiness I see in them makes my heart stumble. I get drunk on her joy, especially when I get to be the reason it exists. "I'd like to put this ring on your finger now."

Her smile takes over her entire face as she nods emphatically. "Yes, please." I take her left hand in mine and kiss her finger before slowly sliding her ring on. "It's perfect," she utters breathlessly. "I never thought much about what kind of ring I'd want, but this shape reminds me of a Christmas tree."

"Me too.” I smile, thrilled she sees what I saw. I add, “That's why I chose it." I pull her hand to my chest and take her lips in mine once more, unbelieving that I got the girl. The girl I was never supposed to have is now mine.

Her hand finds the side of my face, and she pulls back. "Colton, it doesn't change anything. My answer is still yes, but what happens next? We haven't had time to talk about what our life together will look like. I have the farm, my books, and the BBB with the girls?—"

"I'm not trying to take any of that away from you. We might need to lay some boundaries for meeting up with potential clients. Perhaps not bars," I quirk a brow, remembering when she looked too cozy with Jacob in a booth at Holly's. "I'm suggesting an office, preferably at the house. Where I can be lurking." That makes her laugh, but it's gone almost as quick as it came.

Her hand fiddles with the button on my weighted flannel shirt. "You work on the East Coast. I know you have the contract with Archie, but we both know it's merely permission to farm your land?—"

"I worked on the East Coast. Past tense. I told my brothers I was stepping away indefinitely."

"Can't you work from anywhere? I'm sure they'd rather you work from here than bow out completely."

I rise from my knees and pull her up with me. "I won't have time. I just purchased a hundred acres that I'll be having designated for agricultural use, and I've got a house to build."

Her brows pinch together. "What land did you buy?"

"All the property from your front door to mine, including this lake."

"I didn't know anyone owned this lake, let alone that it was for sale."

I slide my hands into my pockets. "Technically, none of it was for sale. I made the Carters and the McGregors offers they couldn't refuse. Everything is always for sale for the right price."

She bites her lip as a slow smile takes over her face. "You bought the lake? This lake?" She points to the ground before adding, "Is this where you want to build your house?"

I pull her flush against my front. "This is where WE will build OUR house. I told you it was only fitting that we start our forever here. So what do you say? Are you ready to start writing our next chapter?"

"Writing, dreaming, living, I'm ready for all of it, as long as it's with you."

The End