His head bobs with a sly smile on his face.
“Can I at least kiss them?”
“Oh, I think that can be arranged.”
Just when I thought he was about to lunge at me, all of a sudden, he stops and pins me with his steel-gray gaze.
“I missed you so much. There were times I didn’t think I could make it without you. The fact is you set my world to rights. . Not seeing your smile, or hearing your voice was like the sky without stars. And when I look at you, you make me feel healed inside. Drew taught me many things about life. And he was right about something really important. He told me to open up my heart and allow myself to fall in love because it would be the greatest gift I could give myself. Only I didn’t realize how epic it would be. I give you credit for that. You taught me how to love. And now that I know, I don’t ever want to live a day without you. Promise me you’ll live each day with me. Be my one and only, Sam.”
“Don’t you know?” I ask.
“Know what?”
“I already am.”
I tug at my collar for the millionth time. I shouldn’t be nervous, but I am. Cate’s wedding is done and soon I’ll be out of this monkey suit as the reception is dying down. Speeches have been given, the first dance done and cake eaten. Mercer stands next to me patiently waiting for me to spit it out.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
I nod. “I should be asking you. It’s your moment.”
He stares at me with good humor on his face before he claps me on the back. “You’re on.”
I watch as Cate, pretty as can be, turns and gives her back to a gaggle of women. It’s almost scary the fierce expression they give one another as if this moment could win them the key to life. These are the times I’m grateful I’m a guy.
“One, two, three,” Cate calls out before launching her bouquet over her head. She spins around to watch what happens next.
As the surreal event unfolds, I swallow wondering if a catfight will break out. Once I might have relished that prospect, but my Sam stands in the middle. The idea of her getting hurt makes me want to leap in the fray and tell all the other women to back the fuck up.
But as if the man-hungry group is the Red Sea, they part and the bouquet arcs beautifully to land into Sam’s awaiting hands as if by destiny. Only it wasn’t destiny, but by design.
She glances around unsure of what’s going on. I get a few more reassuring pats as I step towards her. The music has stopped. But the sound of my blood racing through my veins mutes everything around me. Lights flash and I wonder if Sam has figured it out yet. When I reach her, she still looks confused. But in a second, it will all become clear.
“Samantha, you are the breath that fills my lungs. You are the blood that rushes through my veins. Without you, I would cease to exist. Knowing you’re mine isn’t enough anymore.”
She covers her mouth as I bend down on one knee and gaze up at her radiant face. I see the shine in her eyes as the puzzle of what I’m about to do pieces together for her.
“I want to give you my name… the keys to my house… my car, my boat. Whatever it takes for you to agree to be my wife.” I wait a beat. “It’s kind of time for you to say something, sweetheart,” I beg.
Her hand comes down and she pushes my hair back. Her grin lights up the room and she knows that she has my number. And I don’t care.
“Well?” I ask, taking my first breath and hoping it won’t be my last. Because if she denies me, I won’t have the heart to go on.
“You need to ask me first.”
I blink. “Oh, right.”
The sounds of laughter all around us rushes into my ears, but I ignore it. I take a deep breath.
I reach in my pocket with steady hands because there’s no doubt in my mind she’s the one. I pull out the box and open it before I say the words I’ve wanted to say since she took me back. I’d wanted to give her time, time to forget and see my actions as true.
“Samantha Calhoun, will you do me the greatest honor and become my wife?”
She nods and I take quick notice of her family and friends. Cate and Mercer agreed to it all and helped with the plan. The time for Sam’s parents, sister, and best friends to show up had been given so that they could witness this moment. The hard part had been when I faced her family in secret weeks before to ask them if I could marry her. Her mom had been quick to hug me with happy tears. On the other hand, I got an uncomfortable speech from her father and made promises under penalty of castration to her sister before they agreed. It was worth it because having them here at this moment is important to my soon-to-be bride.
Her face is more beautiful than a painting as her smile etches in my heart. When she says the words, it relieves the pressure on my lungs.
“Yes, I will. I thought you would never ask.”
A Little Over A Year Later