“I can’t believe you and the fake-out with the contract! I thought you, I don’t know, wanted flannel sheets in the winter or for me to stop waking you up late at night when I stay up too late or wanted me to move to DC or something.”

Max laughed, and then reached into his pocket.

“None of those things, but speaking of sleep—thank goodness you’re so hard to wake up in the morning; that way I got to measure your ring finger.”

He snapped open the box and slid the ring on her finger.

“Oh thank God, it actually fits,” he said.

He kissed her again, then disappeared back into their room.

“Hold on a second.”

He came back out carrying a bottle of champagne in one hand and a cake box in the other.

“I was very nervous about getting the ring through security and to Hawaii without you seeing it, but I was almost as nervous about this.”

Olivia saw the logo on the side of the cake box and smiled.

“You brought a cake all the way here?”

He carefully cut the tape on the box and nodded.

“Yes, which meant I had to pick it up yesterday, and keep it hidden from you the whole time I was packing, and remember to pack it, and … well, ‘I’ll bring a cake to Hawaii!’ wasn’t my best decision, I realize that now, but look!”

He flipped open the cake box to reveal … a chocolate cake, with blue smudges on top.

Max looked crestfallen.

“It was supposed to say ‘Congratulations, Olivia and Max!’ I guess it melted.”

Olivia leaned over and kissed him.

“That’s okay, it’ll still be delicious. And even if it isn’t, I love you even more than I love cake.”

Max lifted the bottle of champagne in the air.

“I changed my mind: that whole ordeal with the cake was worth it, just to hear you say that.”

They smiled at each other, and popped the champagne cork together.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I somehow thought that writing and publishing would get easier after the first book. I was very wrong about that, but the incredible part is even though it gets harder and harder, it also becomes even more joyful and fulfilling. I’m so grateful for everyone who has helped me along this journey.