"You didn't miss anyone's birthday." His eyes were dancing.
"Sooo . . . what are we doing?"
"You forgot something."
I tilted my head. "I did?"
"Right there." He pointed to a hot pink envelope with my name on it, smack dab in the middle of the card section.
"What are you up to you?" I yanked on his tie, pulling him in for a kiss.
"Hopefully more of that. Go get your card."
He didn't need to tell me twice. This time I pulled him along. I only let go of his hand to pluck my card out. I carefully opened it and pulled out the sparkly card.
The outside read, If I Haven't Told You Lately . . . I opened it up, smiling to myself. The inside was also filled with sparkly gold letters that read, I Love You. As much as I loved when he said those three huge words-and loved saying them in return, because I loved him with a love that I didn't know was possible-I was anxious to see what he had to say. In Reed fashion, there was his numbered list of ten.
1. Everything
2. I
3. Do
4. I
5. Do
6. It
7. For
8. You
9. I love you.
10. Look down.
I dropped the card and looked down to see Reed on one knee, ring box in hand. My hand covered my mouth. Happy tears popped up in my eyes.
"Samantha Decker, I love you and Cody. I want to be wherever you both are, whether it's on the sidelines or on the field. You just tell me, and I'll follow you wherever you want to go." He opened the small black velvet box to reveal a stunning, round-cut diamond solitaire ring. "Marry me?"
Happiness filled me to the point I couldn't speak. I nodded and nodded some more. "Yes! Yes! Yes!"
He slid the ring on my finger before standing and wrapping me up in his arms. "You just made me the happiest man in this grocery store."
I laughed into his chest. "I love you."
He pressed a kiss to the side of my head. "I love you more."
I believed him.
~*~
I know you've been eagerly awaiting my list of "must haves" for my next husband. Well, I finally know exactly what I want. Here's my list in no particular order:
1. Spine-tingling kisses. (Okay, this is pretty top of the list for me.)
2. Knows how to put the toilet seat down and does. Every time.
3. Younger than me.
4. He must love my son like his own. No exceptions.
5. He absolutely must love Autumn Moone books and be willing to read them to me out loud.
6. Sense of humor is a necessity. He'll need it to survive my family.
7. An outdoor enthusiast is a plus, especially if he loves long bike rides.
8. His thighs must be bigger than mine. I can't handle that kind of pressure.
9. He must sign all my legal documentation, see much earlier post about NDAs.
10. Last, but certainly not least, he must love me. And not just any kind of love. But the kind of love that needs no words. The kind that comes from acting.
I should probably mention I've been lucky to find a man that meets all the requirements and more. You might be asking yourself, "Is she getting back into the game?" The answer is, no. I found a man that loves the sidelines. So I'll still be the Sidelined Wife, but I'll be more than a wife. I'll be a partner. If you have the chance to find one, hold on tight. Life is better on the sidelines with someone who's willing to walk beside you every step of the way.
Yours Truly,
The Sidelined Wife in Chief
P.S. Look for my new cookbook, Glorified Cookie Recipes and More, in a store near you or online.
Sneak Peek
The Secretive Wife-More Than a Wife Series: Book Two
I have big news for you.
You're pregnant?
I sighed, holding back the tears. That put a damper on the actual surprise. I wouldn't tell you that in a text.
My phone immediately rang.
"I'm sorry. I know that. What's your news?"
"Now I feel like I'm going to disappoint you."
"I'm sorry, Delanie. Tell me, please?"
I stared at my large monitor. That monitor and I spent a lot of time together. Sometimes it was my only connection to the outside world when I was under a deadline. We had a love-hate relationship for that reason. But there on the large screen, my name-or should I say, my other name-and latest book cover sat near the number one spot on the New York Times Best Seller list in the eBook and paperback category. It wasn't the first time, but it never got old seeing my baby there.
"Black Day Dawning hit number one." I couldn't say it without smiling.
"I'm so proud of you, Autumn Moone." Only he could call me that.
I tensed. "I hope you're not around anyone."
"I'm in the truck all by myself."
"You could come home for lunch." Our private lunch hours were my favorite.
He groaned. "I want to more than anything, but we have to finish up the Finley job before tomorrow. They're having a huge summer bash this weekend. But how about I take you to dinner tonight to celebrate?"
"I'd like that."
"Think of where you want to go, and I'll be home as soon as I can."
"Hurry."
"Delanie?"
"Yes."
"I'm sorry about earlier. You know I love you more than anything, and whether we have a baby or not isn't going to change that."
I sighed. "I know."
"I'll see you soon."
I leaned back in my office chair and stretched my neck. I loved this space, and the man that built it for me. My secret hiding place. When we had the house built, Peter insisted that he finish the attic for me. There was no one more thoughtful than him. I only had to look at every aspect of my office, from the countertops that lined one side of the room, lending me a huge desk. I loved that I could spread out on it when I researched each project and book. The built-in shelves were filled with not only the books I'd written, but the books I loved, like To Kill a Mockingbird, or Jane Eyre. The most thoughtful items were all the framed posters of each one of my books that hit the New York Times Best Seller list. He would get an actual copy of the paper, blow it up, and frame it. There were five on the wall now. Soon, I knew there would be six.
I swiveled in my chair, stopping to run my fingers across my old, red manual typewriter. I thought my parents were so weird when they gave that to me for my tenth birthday. My parents were weird, or at least different than most. When Cat and Ron-my parents, who insisted on being called by their first names (long story)-presented me with the typewriter instead of the computer I asked for, they changed my life, though I thought they had ruined it. I wrote my first novel with it when I was twelve. If I Lived on the Moon. It inspired my pen name and the moon tattoo hidden where only Peter could see it.
I also wrote the book that launched my career on the old thing. I missed the sound of the keys and the typebars making contact with the ribbon and paper. I never intended to write romance, but I found I had a penchant for it. I blamed it on the built up sexual tension from being in love with a man I thought could never be mine. A priest.
I never wanted anything or anyone more in my life. Hunter Black came to life because of it all. Every one of Peter's qualities were poured into him. Laine, his true love that he could never have, was me. I cried into the typewriter many a night, trying to purge myself of Peter. It didn't work; if anything, I wanted him more.
I was supposed to be writing gritty, raw, real-life pieces that changed lives. Instead, I was fueling fantasies, mine the most. Now that I was living out my fantasy with my priest, it didn't make me feel so guilty.
. . . That wasn't as awful as it sounded.