Unexpected Proposal: Loved By You, #2

By Eva Winslow

November 1973

 

When Laura Brooks and Charlie Winters met under dire circumstances, neither one of them expected to become romantically involved. Once they reached the safety of Hong Kong, they planned to go their separate ways. But they couldn't. They couldn't forget the attraction that had grown between them, and they couldn't ignore the desire to see each other again.

 

After spending a romantic month together in the British Virgin Islands, the love between them grew. And so did Laura's uncertainty. Not about Charlie, but about herself. Was she the right woman for him? Could she be the person he needed? When Charlie makes an unexpected proposal and asks her to stay in the British Virgin Islands with him, Laura's self-doubt causes her to end the relationship. She believes Charlie can do better than a waitress from San Francisco.

 

Laura returns home with a heavy heart, convinced she made the right decision, but Charlie is not ready to give up on the woman he loves. He must convince her that the love between them is more than enough, and that she is the only woman for him. Will she listen, or will she stand firm on her decision to end the relationship?

 

Unexpected Proposal is the second book in the Loved By You series, and the conclusion to Laura and Charlie's story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eva Winslow
• Release date: Nov 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201393809

Book preview

UNEXPECTED PROPOSAL

Loved By You: Book 2

By

Eva Winslow

Table of Contents

Title Page

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

EPILOGUE

COPYRIGHT

CHAPTER ONE

Laura made the mistake of glancing back. Charlie was really there; he hadn’t vanished. He was in uniform, but not like Laura had ever seen him. His white shirt was plastered to his body and his hair was sticking up in all directions from the rain. His cheeks were stubbled, his skin pale, his eyes bruised from dark circles; he looked as exhausted as Laura felt, which was no mean feat.

The chance to walk away slipped through Laura’s fingers.

But then he smiled, his blue eyes twinkling and his full mouth inviting.

Oh my God, he was here. In San Francisco at her work place on this impossibly awful night, Charlie Winters was standing right in front of her. He wasn’t an illusion brought on by her addled brain; he was a real, tangible presence in a place she had never, in a million years, expected to see him.

At a time when all she wanted was to see him.

What—what’re you doing here? she asked, her voice cracking terribly.

He shrugged loosely. Flew.

A laugh stuttered out of her, confusion and delirium and raw relief at the sight of him all coming together. Looks more like you walked.

Charlie laughed, too, in that same slightly hysterical way. He ran his hands through his damp but still silvering hair. I would’ve.

Laura gasped, her laughter drying up with a sound like a hiccup. I don’t—

Laura, he interrupted, his voice rough and his tone pleading. I… I planned… so many speeches in my head for this moment, and they were going to be perfect, but now I can’t remember any of them.

Should I, uh… go back into the kitchen and then come back out?

Charlie cocked his head, an achingly soft smile lingering across his lips. He took a deep breath, seeming much steadier. God, I love you.

Laura’s mouth trembled, but she was not going to start weeping again. She bit down hard on the troublesome lip, wringing her hands together in the pocket of her apron.

I couldn’t let you go without one more try, Charlie went on. Or at least without thanking you for everything you’ve done for me.

What? she asked incredulously.

You thanked me over and over and over for—for taking you to places and showing you things, but I never once thanked you back.

Laura frowned at him. You have nothing to thank me for, Charlie.

You have no idea, he breathed, shaking his head in what looked like awe, and then he placed his hands on the countertop, reaching gently for her. You made the world a beautiful place again. If I hadn’t met you on that runway, if you hadn’t gotten me through those two days, I don’t know what would’ve happened to me. I don’t know what kind of person I would’ve turned into.

She looked down at his palms turned upwards and stepped thoughtlessly, inexorably forward. I didn’t—

Yes, you did! he cried out, drawing attention from the customers now. "You got me through it. You, Laura. And you made my life better. And I want to keep having a better life, so—so you have to be in it."

Another step. I don’t know if I can be the woman you need me to be.

I don’t need you to be the woman I need. I want you to be the woman you are.

Here came the tears again, but now Laura was biting her lip around a watery smile. Or… some cross between a sob and a smile. I’m still scared.

You are the bravest, boldest, funnest, most inspiring person I’ve ever met, he said, his words getting louder and drawing even more attention to them. Who cares about scared? We were scared at Shenzhen Bao, but we got through it.

Together, she whispered, trembling all over but this time with Charlie’s infectious, relentless hope.

Exactly. Finally, he took her hands, the simple touch sending a shock of longing through her body. I love you, and I don’t want to live in a world where you’re not by my side no matter how amazing it is.

She leaned over the counter, looking into his bright and imploring eyes. Charlie.

You took the first leap before, he said on the softest breath, his words almost on her lips. And now I’m taking this one. But I need you to take the last.

There were so many impossible, reckless moments that had brought them here. From storms to crises to smuggling scenarios that could’ve landed them both in prison. But, instrumentally, it was Laura choosing to make a leap that brought them together. She did that all on her own, because she had always known Charlie was worth it. The fear, the threat of humiliating herself, had paled in comparison to the desire to be with him again.

And it paled now, too.

And it would always pale.

The counter was too long, and she needed to kiss him right now. Laura scrambled up onto it, swinging her legs over the side. Immediately, Charlie gripped her waist and lifted her off, and she wrapped her legs around him, sank her hands into his damp, messy, silvering hair, and pressed their mouths together.

It was hardly even a kiss, too much breathless laughter passing between them. Too many I love yous and I’m sorrys and never agains. Too many promises that wrote an entire future together.

As the rush of blood in her ears finally began to fade, she heard someone hollering.

It was Pricilla, standing in her booth clapping her hands together and yelling, You got him, girl, at top volume.

Behind them, through the pass-through, Jerry was whooping too.

And they were right to.

The elation ripping through Laura felt transcendent, like the whole universe clicking into place, like she’d earned this moment of perfect clarity. Suddenly, everything she’d been afraid of felt so trivial: heights could be conquered, doubts could be squashed, and happiness should be fought for.

Laura wanted to spend her life with Charlie, and she wanted to do it on their terms.

Let’s do it, she told Charlie. Let’s just… let’s just live out a Caribbean fantasy and… and see what happens!

Charlie’s expression was bemused, setting her on her feet. Whoa, there. We don’t have to rush anything. I just want us to be together, and we’ll figure the rest out later.

Laura shook her head, grinning. No, I want do it.

Seriously? he breathed.

If it doesn’t work, then we try something else. And we keep trying until something does work. Something that makes us happy, that’s not settling for less than we deserve.

Charlie cupped her face tenderly, leaning in to kiss her. Sure?

Laura slid her arms under his damp jacket and around his waist. Sure sure.

He slid their mouths together, tongues slick and sending ripples of pleasure down her spine. It was unlike any kiss they’d shared before, dreamlike and impossible because she could still hardly believe Charlie had come here and done this. She kept caressing his face to prove he was real, and bit down on his lip to convince herself she wasn’t dreaming.

Get a room!

They broke apart, and Laura called over Charlie’s shoulder. Shut up, Devin.

His friends erupted into laughter, which devolved into more bickering. Another customer, a grumpy middle aged trucker sitting in the corner, told them to shut the hell up. And then Pricilla got involved.

Charlie grinned, tipping his forehead to Laura’s. I made a scene.

You did.

Should I apologize to your customers?

Laura chuckled. Nah. They’ve seen weirder things happen in here. Anyway, they’re not my customers anymore. I quit.

Really? Charlie asked, hope written all over his face.

It’d be a hell of a commute, wouldn’t it? she quipped.

Charlie swept her up into a hug. I’m so proud of you.

Laura sank into his arms, letting his warmth chase away the chill of being parted from him—even though he was still pretty wet and now so was she.

Oh, wait. She pulled back as something occurred to her. I can’t quit. Marie doesn’t get here for her shift for hours yet, and I can’t leave Jerry all on his own.

From the back, Jerry called, Get out of here, woman! You’re free!

Laura ignored him, asking Charlie, Feel like hanging around a dingy diner all night watching me work?

Charlie smiled. There’s literally nothing else I’d rather do right now.

Thank you, she told him sincerely. "You’re literally the best."

"You’re literally the best."

"No, you’re definitely the best—"

Now I really want you to leave, Jerry yelled.

They laughed, and Laura straightened her dress and apron and hair once again. Let’s get you seated then, sweetie.

Think I’ll sit right here at the counter, miss, Charlie drawled.

Alrighty, then. She couldn’t stop the ridiculous grin splitting her face. Can I get you a fresh pot of coffee, sir?

That’d be just fine, thank you.

No, seriously, Jerry whined. "Please go home. Both of you."

From the booth in the back, Pricilla gave Laura a wink. Devin and his friends were still insulting each other, and the rest of the customers had gone back to their meals and drinks. The rain still lashed the window outside, the sky still swollen with clouds, the people still hurrying past, getting to wherever they needed to go.

The world still turned, and nothing had really changed.

Nothing except two people’s tiny, inconsequential lives. And somehow, that meant everything.

CHAPTER TWO

To Laura and Charlie, Clare announced, raising her glass.

She, Roger, Anna, and Alessio toasted them as she and Charlie sat sheepishly shaking their heads at each other.

Vincent came over with another tray of elaborate cocktails, these ones with giant slabs of pineapple on the side and fizzing sparklers stuffed in them. We call this one a Cruzan Confusion, and they’re on the house for the happy couple.

Vincent, seriously, Charlie protested.

Hush, Vincent said sternly, and then he winked. You deserve it, so enjoy. Appetizers are coming up in five minutes.

Is there anyone here you’re not friendly with? Alessio asked dryly.

Laura slipped an arm around Charlie’s shoulders, his bare skin warm from the day’s sun. He’s the best tipper in all of the Caribbean, apparently.

Alessio grinned wolfishly. Challenge accepted.

Oh, here we go, Anna drawled.

Okay, that’s hardly a fair challenge, Charlie pointed out. You’re rich.

Alessio raised an eyebrow. I can’t believe you’re already giving up. From the man who flew halfway around the world to declare his love for a woman who had dumped him once already.

Laura put her head in her hands. Oh my God.

How many times—it wasn’t a dumping! Charlie insisted.

It was kind of a dumping, Anna said with a shrug.

It was definitely a dumping, Roger agreed. You even called us to ask for our help getting her back, man.

Charlie turned to Laura. Why did we invite them here again?

She shook her head, laughing. I honestly can’t remember.

Anna brandished her sparkler around, leaving little trails of sparkling light in its wake. Like you could keep us away.

"Like you’ll ever keep us away, Clare mused. It’s not every day your sister moves to the Caribbean."

I haven’t actually moved here yet, Laura reminded her. We’re still finalizing a lot of things.

Since Laura’s landlord had always required two months’ rent in advance, she still had another two week’s lease left on her apartment, and Charlie had been cramming in as many flights as possible to give them a cash buffer. They had used a couple of his buddy passes and some strategic bidding to fly to Hong Kong and pick out samples for the swimwear line, as well as looking into other things that might sell well, and they had a whole load of stock ready to go on the Morgan Out Island.

Laura had enjoyed designing patterns and styles with Li Jin, who had a real eye for making something unique every single time.

The past six weeks had been a mad blur of planning the impossible, but they had also been the most incredible, satisfying, important weeks of her life.

Saying goodbye to everyone back home was going to be tough, but being here on the Willy T with the people closest to her was easing that difficult transition. It proved that nothing was ever a goodbye, only a see you soon.

We’ll never get rid of them, Charlie muttered, fake-horror in his eyes.

After a few cocktails and an already pretty emotional day of hugs and hellos, Laura was feeling quite emotional. She reached across the table and took Clare and Anna’s hands. I hope not.

Getting so little genuine quality time with the people she loved had been a major component missing from her life. Sure, she lived close to her parents, but she was always working and constantly exhausted. She only saw her sister a couple times a year, and she rarely had much energy to go out with friends.

Now traveling to Hong Kong was part of her job, and she could spend all the time in the world with Clare and Roger, even getting to watch her niece grow up. Anna and Alessio were staying in Hong Kong for the foreseeable future, too, which meant they would remain close. And once Charlie’s—and hers now too, she supposed—business started bringing in more money, they would have the means to visit their parents more often, or bring their parents to them.

Her time was her own, and Laura had never been more grateful for that than right now, sitting among her loved ones.

Aw, Clare drawled. Sis.

Just say the word, Anna said brightly. And I will be out here like a shot.

Clare nodded. Me too.

Not us, though, apparently? Roger whispered loudly to an amused Alessio.

No, you boys can stay home, Clare told them. Charlie can have my side of the bed.

Charlie chuckled, slipping his arm around Laura and kissing her temple. Anything to make Laura feel more at home here.

She leaned against him. As long as you keep flying back to me.

Aw, aren’t you both nauseating? Clare asked dryly.

Roger put his arm around his wife. I think it’s romantic. They’re still in that new relationship phase where being cheesy is considered cute.

Thank you, Roger. Charlie smiled, and then frowned. Wait…

Vincent brought appetizers, marinated chicken wings and fresh ceviche with lime and bowls of different salsas and salads. The sun slowly set behind that ocean horizon Laura had missed so much, reflecting off the rippling water for miles and miles.

She looked out over the side of the ship, the light breeze in her hair and the smell of salt and ozone and old wood wrapping around her like a warm, welcoming homecoming.

So what’s the plan, then? Alessio asked. It’s never easy to start a business.

Well, Charlie already kinda has a business, Laura reminded him.

And Laura here has turned out to be a hell of salesperson, Charlie added. With some amazing ideas for our line.

Laura smiled sheepishly as her sister grinned proudly. She was trying to take compliments on the chin these days, rather than letting them glance off her. It wasn’t always easy, but it helped when she could remind herself that she deserved them. We spotted some gaps in the market that are worth filling, too.

"You did," Charlie reminded her.

"You took the idea and ran with it," she shot back.

He grinned and shook his head like she was just impossible—which she knew she was, even if she was working on it. You figured it out in the first place.

And you—

Nauseating! Clare shouted, which made everyone laugh. Laura, a toast to you and your future as an entrepreneur. Please embrace it.

Everyone raised their cocktails to her, and she put her hand over her mouth and blinked rapidly to stave off the tears.

It was overwhelming to think she’d almost blown this. Right now, she could have been sitting all alone in her tiny apartment in her cold city with her future set in stone and her mind numb with regrets. Instead, she had spent the day lounging on the deck of her and her boyfriend’s boat in the British Virgin Islands, drinking fresh Caribbean coffee and eating sandwiches to kill time before their friends and family landed. They had even stopped by the Norman Island caves so Charlie could toss bread at poor unsuspecting snorkelers.

Feeling real lucky right now, you guys, she laughed wetly.

Charlie rubbed soothing circles on her back. You’ve earned it.

"You’ve both earned it," Anna added.

Laura lifted her own glass. I’ll toast to that.

They ate and drank the night away, and as they squared the bill between them, Laura nudged Charlie and looked over her shoulder toward the back of the ship.

You sure? he asked with a grin.

Sure sure.

So there’s a tradition here on the Willy T, Charlie told everyone at the table. To properly end your visit here, you have to jump off the back of the ship and into the water.

From the top deck? Roger asked flatly.

Charlie nodded. Yeah.

"You’re going to jump?" Clare asked Laura.

You bet I am, she said brightly.

Flying so much had definitely tempered her fear of heights, and flying with Charlie as captain was almost becoming a pleasure, but that wasn’t why Laura was so eager to jump. This was one of the many leaps she’d taken for Charlie, with Charlie, and she felt like they’d come full circle.

Hell, I’m in, Anna announced, taking Alessio’s hand.

Me too, he said.

That wasn’t a surprise; those two were game for pretty much anything.

Laura narrowed her eyes at Clare challengingly. If I can do it, so can you.

"Well, yeah. Now I have to do it, don’t I?"

The lot of them stood up and headed to the back of the ship, with Laura and Charlie hanging back slightly, allowing the others to go first. There was a lot of screaming, shouting, and laughter, but finally the others were in the water, splashing their way back to the dinghy.

Charlie climbed over the railing and offered Laura a hand. Ready?

She put her foot on one rung, then another, the sense of anticipation so deliciously familiar it sent a child up her spine. She swung her legs over the edge, looking down at that inky drop with her heart pounding and her nerves thrilling.

Ready, she told him.

They clasped hands, and Charlie swept forwards and caught her in a breathless kiss.

Then they jumped.

Wind rushed past her ears, whipped through her hair, and she was soaring through the air in total free-fall. That was her life now, tumbling wildly through the glorious and unexpected, hand in hand with the man she loved.

They hit the cool enveloping darkness of the water together, breaking the surface at the exact same time.

Charlie laughed his warm, rich, enticing laugh. You okay?

Never better, she told him.

They swam to the dinghy where the rest were waiting and headed back to the Morgan. Charlie motored them around Norman Island to his usual spot and anchored the boat. He pulled out a cooler stuffed with beer and put on the radio, filling the deck with the sounds of local Caribbean music and friendly conversation.

I still can’t believe it, Clare said to Laura quietly.

The two of them were hanging back a little, leaning against the railing which faced out to sea—at the starboard side of the boat, as Laura was recently trying her best to learn. The rest of the group were playing a raucous game of cards at the table, but Laura was fairly certain they were making the rules up as they went along.

Me neither, she said.

Not like that. Clare nudged her. "I knew you had it in you, I just can’t believe your life now consists of sailing a boat in the Virgin Islands. I mean… whose life is like that? Richard Branson’s?

Laura laughed. I know. It’s all a little surreal. Haven’t really caught my breath yet.

And how could you? When you’re faced with all of this every single day. Clare swept a hand out to encompass everything from the lush island paradise to their left to the endless ocean to their right.

Once we start working our asses off, I’m sure it’ll start to feel normal.

"Don’t ever let it feel normal, Clare said sternly. Normal is for other schmucks, not you. You, baby sister, have always been destined for greatness."

Laura smiled helplessly, couldn’t help it. You’re drunk. I’m going to tell Mom and Dad.

Snitch, she laughed. "Like Mom won’t be double fisting rum punches the second she gets out here. When are you inviting them, anyway? They’ve already been nagging me about taking a family vacation together so we can all, and I quote, thank Charlie for everything he’s done for our precious Laura."

"They did not call me our precious Laura," Laura drawled.

Our darling youngest, then. The apple of our eye, maybe?

Laura rolled her eyes, hitting Clare on the arm. They said maybe February, their perfect firstborn included.

What about Charlie’s parents? Clare asked slyly, because she knew Laura had been dreading that one.

She was sure they were very nice—they’d raised a man like Charlie, after all—but she was still anxious about them judging her. Charlie’s brother was an Ivy-League-school-attending accountant who married a human rights lawyer.

Laura was exactly none of those things, and Charlie already liked to think of himself as the black sheep of his family.

They’ve invited us for the holidays, Laura told her. So half a week in San Francisco with you guys, and half a week in New Jersey with them.

I remember meeting Roger’s family for the first time. Clare shuddered. Got so drunk from the nerves that I did a Sonny and Cher karaoke duo with his cousin.

They all loved you, though.

Well, who wouldn’t after that? she drawled. I’ve got the voice of an angel.

Being strangled with a garrote wire.

Clare pulled a face at her as Charlie walked over, asking, Whose being strangled with a garrote wire?

Clare and I are reminiscing about her humiliating first meeting with Roger’s parents. Laura