19.

The store is practically empty.

It seemed like all the couples outside had decided it would be very romantic to enter a book store and go to the last shelf and kiss. I have had to chase away two and Desmond is on his fourth one and this time he had decided to use a water gun.

Hopefully, people won't get pissed off.

Or no, fuck them, why would them come to my store, not buy anything and just make out.

The weather was nice out, it was sunny and warm, the sky looked so beautiful and it would be awesome to go for a walk with Wren. I raised my hand to my neck, gently playing with the necklace Wren had given me. Wren had a meeting today, something about a new launch and I was so proud of him. He had shown me the drawing when he had been hit with inspiration, he had shown me the practice designs but I had still not seen the final results yet. He said it was a surprise.

I let out a laugh when I saw a teenage couple rush out the door, hand in hand. Desmond walked out from between the shelves, raised the water gun to his lips and blew at it.

"Do I want to know why you have a water gun in your bag?" I signed for my silly friend.

"It's for emergencies. Why don't you carry one?" Desmond asked and I rolled my eyes at him. "I carry it because if anyone wants to say something stupid or foolish or mean, I get to spray them water and watch them be stupefied. It's a perfect payback. Well, a water gun and a slap to the face. They both work fine." He said as he walked to the counter. He keeps the water gun in the little shelf behind the counter where the customers could not see.

I couldn't help laughing at my friend. He was such a silly person.

"Want to go for a walk during lunch? It's nice out and we can get tacos or that sandwich from the toast place that opened a few blocks away?" I signed to Desmond who lit up when I mentioned the toast place.

They had opened a week ago and Desmond has found every excuse to go back there again and again. The name of the store was Buns and Drinks. It was really cute and small, they had an assortment of sandwiches, toast, and drinks. Different types of bread. I personally didn't know bread had a genre but we learn every day.

I pulled out my phone, raising it high enough so I could get a selfie of myself and Desmond who had picked up the water gun to pose with. I sent said picture to Wren, not really expecting a reply.

I ended up getting a response before I could even put the phone down.

From My Husband: Why is he holding a water gun?

To My Husband: To scare customers away. Duh.

From My Husband: I don't even want to know. I miss you! I'll pick you up after work, my love!

I grinned down at my phone when I got a picture of Wren, he was with his staff and they were all waving and grinning at the camera.  They were some of the nicest people I have ever met and I am glad my husband gets to work with them, because he deserves everything good and soft. No pain, no annoyances, no struggles.

I turned to Desmond who had let out a loud groan.

"What?"

"You had your Wren's face on." he said and I rolled my eyes at him for the second time today and it wasn't even lunch time yet. It has to be a record.

"I don't have a Wren face."

"Well, you can't see your face so how can you know?" Desmond fired back, sticking his tongue at me when I glared at him. Such an adult. An inspiration to everyone.

Desmond and I spent the remaining time packing up orders and once it was lunch, we just dropped the books and empty boxes. We locked up and with our arms linked, we walked the short blocks towards Buns and Drink. Immediately we walked in and the man behind the counter cheerfully called out Desmond's name, waving as well. I instantly understood.

The man walked out from behind the counter and I grinned at him. Desmond let go of my hand and I watched in glee as he pulled the other man in for a hug.

"Bailey, this is Nick." Desmond said, signing at the same time. "Nick, this is my best friend, Bailey."

Nick was rather cute. He is my height and chubby, looking soft in a soft pink shirt and jeans. He had dark hair and ever since Desmond had hugged him, his cheeks had a soft pink tint. I had spent lunch eating by myself despite sitting with Desmond and Nick, it was like they were in their own bubble. I actually snuck in two pictures, sending them to Wren.

From My Husband:  hah! He looks like a fool in love

I let out a small laugh at what Wren had sent but I had to agree with him. Desmond had this small smile on his face and he was staring at Nick like he was Christmas come early.

To My Husband: Don't be a meanie. I think it's sweet

I had found the love of my life during the coldest times of the year and Desmond had found his in summer. I knew my best friend and I know and catalogue his reactions. I have known him a long time and he has only ever looked at one person like this. And these were pictures of Harry Styles in magazines.

I let out a happy sigh, raising my cup of caramel latte to my lips and taking a sip, still watching the two of them. And to think, Desmond had been making fun of me when I had told him I had met my husband all those months ago. Here he is falling in love with the genius man who put salmon on toast with an assortment of other things and a secret recipe sauce.

We spent an hour at the store and I eventually had a conversation with Nick. He was bubbly and kind, sarcastic yet funny. Desmond dream man.

"Not a word. . ."  Desmond signed to me once we were on our way back to the store.

I pressed my hand to my chest, eyes wide and mouth open in shock. "What on earth could I possibly say?" I signed after all my theatrics. Desmond laughed out loudly, so loud that people turned to the two of us. I just smiled at him, happy at how happy he was. I could understand what he was feeling.

"You know you want to gush about him. Go on, you have my attention." I signed, nodding my head at my friend. It seemed like that was all I needed to say because Desmond talks about Nick for a good two and a half hours. The only relief I got was when he was handing the courier guy the packages that were meant to be delivered.

The day, thankfully, seemed to move faster after lunch. Once the clock strikes five, the door to the store is pushed open and Wren walks in, the lights flashing red. My husband looked as handsome as he was when I first laid eyes on him. Brunette hair trimmed and styled off his face, grey eyes bright and happy. He was dressed in a black and white artistic short sleeved shirt tucked into black pants and matching black converse on his feet. My very handsome.

He quickly made his way over to me, leaning over the counter to press a kiss to my cheek.

"Hello, my love." Wren said and signed at the same time. It was a habit that seemed to have stuck and I loved it.

"Hi, honey." I said, grinning at him.  I reached out, grabbing him by the collar so I could press my lips against his in a brief kiss.

"Fuck, I missed you." Wren said, reaching up to cup my face, his thumb softly stroking my cheek. He was staring down at me and I didn't look away from him or move away from the warmth of his hand.

"Don't make me take my water gun out." Desmond's voice broke through our bubble and we both turned to him.

"Oh, if it isn't mister loverman." Wren teased and I cackled, my laughter loud, even to my ears. Wren steals a quick look at me, like he wanted to see my face as I laughed.

"I hate both of you."

"You shouldn't hate, Desmond. What would your recently found future husband think about that?"

I hurriedly grabbed my satchel and made my way around the counter, slipping my hand into Wren and pulling him towards the door. It was hard to do when my husband and my best friend were having artful sarcastic banter. The two of them never failed to make me laugh and for the thousandth time, I was glad they got along and I was also happy that I gave Wren one friend.

When we got outside, Wren pulled open the passenger's door for me, shutting it once I was fully seated. He made his way around and got into the driver's side.

"How are you, darling?" Wren asked as he pulled away from the curb. "Any headaches?" he asked.

"No, headaches." I replied. "I am good now I've seen your face."

I chuckled as I watched his lips stretch into a smile, showing off his white teeth.

"How was your day?"

"It was better because I got your messages but seeing just made my entire day." Wren said, reaching over to place his hand on my thigh. I placed my hand on his, squeezing just a little. I was so happy and content and so. .  .full. I have been ever since we started dating.

"You're such a sap."

"You inspire me to be." was his response and my cheeks burned red. Wren had such a way with words and he always said it in such a sure way. Like there was nothing else he wanted to say. He just said what he was thinking. Always open and honest. It was refreshing.

"What's the plan for dinner?"

"I'm taking you to the chef's restaurant that you always say you want to try." Wren said as he drove.

"What?" I asked, looking at him with wide eyes.

"Yeah. The Gordon Ramsay one you keep googling when you think I'm not looking."

No matter what I said, Wren doesn't budge. He ended up pulling to a stop in front of the restaurant, handing the valet the keys as he walked over and held open my car door for me. The inside was so gorgeous, round table with white table clothes, plush black chairs, and a gorgeous view overlooking the river. It was beautifully classic and stylish yet relaxing. I loved it.

One of the waiters led us towards our table which was next to the window, overlooking the river.

For dinner, I ordered the spring salad for starters while Wren just ordered wine. For the main courses we both got the chef's signature beef wellington, creamy mash and red wine jus. And for dessert, we got the sticky toffee pudding I have always wanted to try. The entire place was empty and with just a few staff.

"Did you buy out the restaurant?" I signed, gesturing at the empty place around us. Wren had the guts to smile brightly at me, like it doesn't matter about what doing something like this must have cost. Fuck, it would have been so expensive.

"I did. . ."

"Why?" I asked, staring at him with wide eyes.

"Because I want to fulfill all your wishes. Well, the ones I can. And I wanted it to be special when I asked you. . ."

"When you ask me what?" I asked, my heart picking up it's pace. "Are you . . .  are you proposing?"

"Not yet, darling." Wren said as he pulled out a thin box from his pocket. He smiles at me while I dug my teeth into my bottom lip. Oh my god. What was happening? If he was not proposing, what was he doing and why did he have another jewelry box.

"Wren . . ."

"Bailey, you are the love of my life and I will continue to tell you as long as I breathe. For a long time, I had been alone and thought I would never find love. Before I met you, I was always searching for something and now we've met, that I have gotten to know you, fell in love with you. I finally found what I was looking for. You are my north star, my always, you're my home and Bailey, I want us to be together every time. I want to wake up to you, to go to sleep with you in my arms . ."

"Wrennie. . ."

"Please move in with me, darling. . ." Wren asked as pulled open the jewelry box which housed a thin bracelet with a tiny key shaped pendant. The key to his house, our house, was also in the box.

"Yes, Wrennie! I would love to move in with you."

—

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One or two chapters left, loveys

What final scenes would you like to see? ❤️