Making the Book Boyfriend (Book Boyfriend Builders)

Epilogue

One month later …

AVA

“Honey, I’m home!” Maverick bellows out as he enters, and I laugh. He puts his keys on the counter and heads straight for me in the living room. “Why are you on this ladder when I'm not here?” His hands tickle my calves as he grabs them, steadying me.

“I was perfectly fine up here until you started touching me!” He grabs me by the waist and pulls me to the floor. “Maverick! I am not incapable.”

“No one said that, but this is a man's job.” He takes the sign from me and climbs the ladder, placing the plaque on the nails I've already put into the wall.

I roll my eyes and let out an exasperated breath. “You're ridiculous. Don’t you see I already got the nails in?”

“I’m well aware of how good you are at banging head, Ava. You don' t have to brag,” he drawls out, and I smack his ass.

“I wanted to surprise you with it.” The sign reads “M’AVA 4-Ever” and Jay and Nina got it for us on New Year's Day. I told them it was the kiss of death and I was worried he would think it meant more than it did, but he took it in stride. They said they don’t believe in superstition and Mav and I are stuck with them and stuck together—for life.

And that doesn’t sound bad to me at all.

Maverick jumps off the third step of the ladder to the floor and moves back with his hands on his hips, assessing the angle.

“Ava Costa.” He turns to face me and digs in his pocket. “I have something super important to ask you. Can we make Casa M’AVA official?” He pulls his hand out, and in between his fingers is a key. I let out a breath, close my eyes, and smile.

“What are you relieved about? Did you think I was going to propose to you?”

“I didn’t know what you were about to do. You and your surprises always keep me on my toes.”

“I just want you to move in with me, princess. Damn, cut me some slack!” He laughs and I smile a bit wider.

“You want us to live together?” I ask in disbelief.

“I do. I want you to move to Magnolia Point with me. I understand if you can’t do it right away, but that’s the goal.” He pulls me flush against him. “Ava, I can’t leave my town, or my job, and I’m hoping you’ll love a blue-collar guy like me no matter where we live.”

I throw my hands around his neck. “Of course I'll move in with you. I love it here in Magnolia Point a bit more each day.”

He kisses me and spins me toward the kitchen, giving me a quick spank and urging me forward. “Good. That's settled. I’m hungry, what’s for dinner?”

I freeze, my eyes wide, and spin back on him, ready to yell at him. Instead, I see Maverick kneeling in front of me.

I gasp, covering my mouth, and my eyes dance between him and the ring .

“Say something, princess.” He's holding a gorgeous diamond ring that is shining bright.

“You didn't ask me anything!” I laugh as his lips turn up into a smirk.

“I mean, we live together now. I'm not the type of guy to live in sin, ya know?”

I roll my eyes. “Moving a little fast, aren’t we?”

“There's no one else I’d rather fight and make up with for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?”

He stands, taking the ring and sliding it on my finger. “Yes, Maverick. A thousand times yes.”