Chapter Twenty-Six
Grace
“Why don’t we walk back?” Hayden asked.
“But what about your car?”
“I’ll come back and get it. Don’t worry. I just feel like walking.”
“Are you sure? We could-”
But before I could get my sentence out, his hand slipped into mine and he tugged me towards the sidewalk.
“I enjoy walking,” Hayden said. “Now, at least.”
“Did you not before?” I asked.
“I think it was one of those things I took for granted. Like most things in my life until they were taken from me.”
“Or when you pushed them away,” I said.
I looked up into Hayden eyes and found a sense of sorrow there.
“That was supposed to be a joke.”
“It was more of a hard truth. I should have never pushed you away like that. Physically or otherwise.”
“It’s in the past. And I think the walk will do us some good. That restaurant was wonderful, but eight courses is a bit much for anyone. No matter the portions.”
“Feeling a little stuffed?”
“Beyond belief,” I said..
“Tomorrow will be another long day at work for me, but once I walk out of my office it should be the last time.”
“Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked.
“More than anything,” he said. “I want to help people. Like you helped me. People like me need help, even if they can’t see it. People in recovery need assistance in ways they can’t imagine. In ways they don’t see that will impact them long after they’re healed.”
“You want to provide nurses for people in recovery to flirt with?” I asked with a grin.
“I’m a businessman. Not a pimp,” he said coyly.
“So you really want to do this,” I said as my heels clicked along the sidewalk.
“I really do. I’m excited about it.”
“So am I, to be honest. I’m so impressed with what you've decided to do with the rest of your life.
“It’s all because of you, you know.”
“Don’t do that. Don’t pawn your success off on someone else.”
“I’m not. I’m simply stating the truth. Had you not come into my life and done everything you had for me while I was recuperating and being an insufferable asshole-”
“Your words, not mine,” I said with a grin.
“Then none of this would be happening,” I said, chuckling. “I’d still be trapped in that headquarters telling myself I was contributing something to the world by building hotels in other countries. Who the hell cares about that?”
“People who travel.”
“Besides them,” he said. “What type of impact does it really make? I mow down trees, I dig up dirt, I put buildings up and slap four-figure prices on them. What good does that really do for people?”
“I don’t know,” I said.
But before I could take another step, I felt Hayden drop beside me. Panic rushed through my veins again. I thought he was hurt. That his hip had given out or that he was in pain. I whipped my head around as he let go of my hand and I prepared myself to carry him on my shoulders the rest of the way to his place if I had to.
However, when I saw him down on one knee, tears flooded my eyes.
“Oh my God,” I said breathlessly.
“Grace Hunter,” he said as he pulled a ring from his pocket, “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you, without a shadow of any doubt. You mean the world to me, and it is because of you that I want to help it. To save it, in any way I can. I want to make it better for you, and us, and my family, and the children we might have someday. You came into my life and put up with the worst of me. Saw the best in me, even when I was barely living. You took care of me during the darkest moments of my life, and I want to spend the rest of my life standing by your side and taking care of you. Will you let me do that? Will you let me marry you, Grace?”
Tears rushed down my cheeks as people stopped to stare. Some were recording on their phones and others were taking pictures. They were all waiting for my response, but I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't even see through my tears. The wedding season was upon me in the floral shop, but I never would’ve dreamed this wedding season would include my own!
“Yes,” I said breathlessly.
I nodded my head as people erupted into applause and cheers around us.
“Yes, Hayden. I’ll marry you!”
With a massive smile and a steady hand, he slipped the beautiful ring onto my finger. The glistening diamond was surrounded by yellow and aquamarine gems that reminded me of his eyes. I threw my arms around him and crashed our lips together, standing on my tiptoes as he dipped me back. Men whooped and hollered and the women sighed with romantic intent, but soon I felt my entire body being lifted into the air.
Our lips untangled and I clung tightly to Hayden’s form as he held me close to his body.
“Shall we?” Hayden asked.
“I can walk, you know,” I said.
“So can I.”
Then he continued walking us down the sidewalk to his home. His arms were strong and his leg was steady, and there wasn’t even a limp in his step. Hayden was fully recuperated, his body was strong, and I was cradled against his chest as he carried me off into the night.
“I love you,” I said into his neck.
I felt him walking up the steps to his apartment as someone opened the door for us.
“I love you too, Grace. Beyond anything words will ever give me.”