My Chance (Chance #2) (7 page)

He kissed me and led me back inside. At the table, everyone greeted us. I was glad to be back with the people I loved, even Val. She had been good to Mark, and he deserved it after what his ex, Jessica, had done to him. A waitress came to the table, and we placed our orders.

Julie told everyone about the last time she saw me and how proud she was of me for taking a stand with Leah. Brett laughed about it. My mom told me that ladies don’t fight, but my dad said, “That’s my girl.” I grinned.

I heard silverware tapping against a glass, then I heard Alex clear his throat. “I want to thank everyone for being here tonight.” He cleared his throat again.

I knew he hated public speaking, but he shouldn’t be nervous around his friends and family. I felt his hands on my knees, which made me jump.

He turned me in my chair and took my hands. “I’m looking into your eyes, and I know you can’t see me, but soon you will. I’ll repeat this to you then.”

I felt my eyes well up with tears.

“You’re the love of my life, Aubrey Ryan. I don’t know how or why, but you were brought into my life, and I’ve never been more thankful for anything. You’re my best friend, my lover, and I don’t want to be without you ever. I want to travel the world with you, have a family with you, and grow old with you. You’re my life, my reason, and my world. My heart beats stronger when we’re together. You give me hope. Aubrey, will you marry me and be my wife so we can start
our
future?”

I heard a gasp, which I assumed was my mom. I was stunned. I hadn’t expected that at all. Everyone was silent. I was sure they hadn’t left, so they were probably waiting for my answer. I moved my hands to his face. I felt worry lines on his forehead and around his eyes. My fingers went to his lips, and they were in a straight line. He wasn’t smiling.

“Alex, I love you more each day. You’re the love of my life too.” I took a deep breath. “Yes, I’ll marry you. I’d love nothing more than to be Mrs. Alex Logan.” I felt his cheeks raise into a smile.

He hugged me, and then I was in the air being spun around. The room burst into applause. Then his lips were on mine, and I heard hooting and hollering erupt in the restaurant.

He set me down and whispered, “Thank you”.

Alex released me, and I instantly felt cold. He took my hand and placed it on what felt like a ring box. He positioned my fingers so I could open the box. I slowly opened the box and felt the ring. I raised my head. I wanted to see him so badly it hurt.

“Let me.” He took the box. “I’m holding our engagement ring. I’d like to place it on your finger; may I? I want the world to know that you’re mine.”

“I’d like that.” I was beaming. I felt the cool metal slide on my left ring finger. I felt it and couldn’t believe the size of the stone. I wasn’t sure if it was a diamond. “It’s beautiful, Alex.” I couldn’t see it, but that didn’t matter. I loved that he’d called it “our” engagement ring.

“I’m glad you like it.” He sounded relieved.

He could’ve put a rubber band on my finger, and I would have loved it. Before I could sit down, Mark, Val, and Brett surrounded me with congratulations.

Julie practically mugged me. She grabbed me and rocked me back and forth, full of enthusiasm. “Let me see the ring. Oh, Aubrey, it’s gorgeous, it really is. I’m so happy for you!”

My parents came up to me next, and I wondered if they had known about Alex’s plan.

“Congratulations, honey!” My mom sounded happy.

I heard my dad say to Alex, “Treat my baby girl right, you got it?”

“Yes, sir.”

My dad kissed my cheeks and hugged me. “I’m happy for you. He’s a good man.”

I rested my head on my father’s shoulder. “Thank you, Daddy.”

Brett told us that our meals had arrived, so we sat back down. I didn’t know how they expected me to eat when I just got engaged! The food smelled amazing, but I just sat there.

“Your plate is directly in front of you,” Alex said. “The veal parmesan is at six o’clock, the ziti at two o’clock, and a roll at ten o’clock. There’s a pat of butter on a small plate to the left of your roll.”

The table was quiet, except for the sounds of people eating. I set my fork down and tried to absorb all that had happened. That was the best night of my life, aside from the first night I met Alex.

I felt his hand on mine. “You okay?”

“I’m better than okay.” That was the truth. He loved me beyond what was considered unconditional. “I love you so much.”

His lips were on mine and his hands threaded through my hair. I heard our friends hoot, followed by some of the customers. I didn’t even care that we were in public. When I was with Alex, it was just us. I felt Alex’s lips curve into a smile, and he chuckled against my lips. His hand rested on my neck.

Brett broke me out of my trance, “Yo, dude, your future father-in-law is right here. Want to take it down to a G-rating please? Not to mention I’m trying to eat!”

Everyone laughed. I wished I could see them. Picturing how happy everyone was was enough for me.

When Alex and I got back to my apartment. Alex opened the door and carried me inside.

“What are you doing?”

The door closed, and Alex kept walking with my legs over his arms and my arm around his neck. “I’m practicing,” he said. “You know, threshold and all.”

I put my head on his chest and giggled. “Are you going to do this every day?” I heard my bedroom door close. Then I was lying on my bed with Alex’s breath near my ear.

“If you would like me to carry you in every day, I’d love nothing more,” he said. “You carry my heart every day; I’ll literally carry yours. I’d do anything for you.”

“I think you’ve proven that, Chance. I mean, Alex.” I laughed, but he didn’t. “What’s wrong? I was joking.” I felt the bed shift as he moved away from me. I reached out to him and found him lying on his back. “Alex? What did I say?”

He exhaled. “Nothing really. You know I couldn’t stay away from you, right? But if it meant that you could move on and be happy, I would’ve stayed away. I’d have died, but I’d have done that for you.”

“I didn’t want you to do that. I didn’t mean anything by calling you Chance. I was just kidding. I know you would do anything for me. I’d do anything for you too. But you leaving me isn’t an option, got it? You’re stuck with me for life.”

He rolled, and our chests touched. His hand went into my hair. “Tonight, you made me the happiest I’ve ever been in my life.”

“Well, you shocked the hell out of me. I can’t believe we’re engaged. I really hope the doctor can help.” I put my head on my pillow and sighed.

“Me too, babe. It’ll all work out. I wasn’t kidding when I said I’d get you the best medical help there is. I’d spend every penny I have to make sure you’re okay.”

“It’ll be fine,” I said. “You keep your pennies in the bank. I have faith that things will work out.” I leaned in and kissed him. I’d never needed anything or anyone the way I needed Alex. He made me feel like one of the beautiful girls who got all the hot guys. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Choosing me.” I smiled and felt a tear leak from my eye.

His finger wiped away the tear, and he moved my hair behind my ear. “I think my mom chose you for me. I think she sent me to check on things that night. Usually Tyler or Brett would have looked in on the speed-dating. You could be here with one of them now.”

I shook my head. “No way. I would have left alone. I was ready to leave until you came along.”

“I guess we’re both lucky then.” He kissed my forehead. “Let’s get some sleep.”

I rested my head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. I fell asleep happier than I’d been in a long time—no, the happiest I’d ever been.

Alex worked at the club over the weekend while I spent time with my folks. I didn’t feel any insecurity with Alex, which was rare for me, and it was calming. I saw some shadows while I was with my parents, but I didn’t say anything about them because they came and went so sporadically. I didn’t want my parents to get their hopes up just to be let down. We were going to see the doctor on Monday, so I decided to wait to see what he had to say.

It was wonderful knowing Alex would be coming home to me every night. Spending time with my parents was nice, but falling asleep in Alex’s arms was the best. I was a little nervous about the tests the doctor would conduct. I didn’t sleep well on Sunday night. When I woke on Monday, I was nervous.

“Babe, are you okay? You tossed and turned all night.” Alex sounded worried.

“Yes, I’m fine. I’m just a little nervous about the tests.” I did my best to sound positive.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?”

“No, I’ll be fine. My parents will be here soon. I should get ready.”

Alex kissed me. “I’ll get ready with you.”

We both jumped in the shower and actually showered.

My parents took me to get some tests done at the doctor’s office, and then we spent the entire day at my place. My mom did my laundry and made some meals so I’d have them in the freezer while my dad ran to the grocery store for me. I couldn’t wait to be able to do all of that for myself. They were meeting friends for dinner, so after they left, I waited for Alex to come home. I figured we could grab something to eat.

I sat on the couch and grabbed my tablet. I felt for the music app to listen to some songs Alex had put on it for me. I was getting sleepy, and I laid back and listened. Bruno Mars was playing when I heard my door open. I sat up and looked toward the door, but I didn’t see anything.

“Hey, babe, I brought Chinese. I hope you’re hungry,” Alex said.

I was starved. “What time is it?”

“Seven. I’m sorry I’m late. I wanted to get dinner, and I brought you this.” He placed a flower in my hand.

I brought the orchid to my nose. “I love it. Thank you.”

He gave me a chaste kiss. “Let’s eat so I can get you into bed. I have been thinking about you all day. If you weren’t with your parents, I’d have come home hours ago just to take you quick and then go back to the club.”

“You can have me anytime.” I winked and yawned.

“How were your tests? I wanted to text you, but I wasn’t sure if you would be asleep after your appointment. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there with you.”

“It’s okay, I understand. My parents were with me, so it worked out. The tests went fine. I just hope they drew some conclusions.”

After we finished eating, Alex’s lips landed on mine, and I was no longer tired. Our tongues explored each other’s mouths. His hand went under my shirt and gently squeezed my right breast and then my left. He removed my pants and lifted my foot onto the back of the couch. With no warning, no foreplay, he was in me. I was more than ready for him. I felt every inch of him—he didn’t lack in that department. I moved my hips with his and arched my back. My legs wrapped around his waist.

When his hands went under my shoulders, I realized I was still half dressed. I felt for his shirt, but he was totally naked. I didn’t know how he’d done that without me noticing, but I didn’t care. My hands explored his glorious muscles. I brought my hands to his back and felt it move with each thrust. I trailed my fingertips down his spine to his lower back.

“I need to come, Aubrey. I can’t hold on.” His pace increased.

“Do it, Alex. Let me feel you.”

His thumb went between us, and he rubbed me. It felt amazing, and I convulsed around him, tightening to the point where I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Please now, it needs to be—” My breathing hitched.

We came, and he collapsed on me. He trailed kisses on my neck as he pulled out of me and took my hands. “Let’s go to bed. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.”

I nodded.