They quickly made their way down to the lobby and through the front doors where a black town car sat parked, its driver looking ever totally dapper in a dark suit, holding the door open for her. James. She ran to him, tears threatening to spill over again. He hugged her tight and lifted her off of the ground.
He kissed her cheek then whispered in her ear, “I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you when you needed me, but I’m here now. You’re going to be okay, kid.”
“Don’t you dare cry!” Jersey shouted. “Don’t you make her cry!”
James helped her into the car while the ladies piled into a waiting car behind them and left, going the opposite direction. Odd, Cori thought. James filled her in on Ohio and decided that it wasn’t for him. He would be coming back to New York and taking a job teaching at one of the local art schools.
James was known to be a talker, but he didn’t shut up and didn’t let Cori get a word in edgewise. She also noticed they circled the same blocks a couple of times as if they were going absolutely nowhere. Was he stalling?
“Okay. We have now circled this block twice – the last block three times. We’ve been in the car long enough to get to long island yet only gone maybe six city blocks. What gives, James? Where are we going?”
His phone beeped, and he checked the message when they stopped at a red light before answering her, “Ah ha! Looks like you’re about to find out!”
Without even looking, James pulled out into the intersection from the far-right lane and crossed multiple lanes of traffic to turn left. Earning several honking horns and choice words from other drivers, he responded by sticking his arm out the window and giving them all the middle finger!
“I missed you, New York!” he shouted, followed by a wicked laugh that sparked Cori’s laughter.
It was only minutes later that they were in the heart of the city, parked in front of the exclusive Le Salle De Bal. James met her at her door and helped her out of the car.
“Wh…why are we here? This. This was supposed to be…”
“Just go with it, Cori. It’ll all make sense in a minute. You know I love you, right? Want the best for you?” He paused, waiting for her nod. “Then just go with it because this is the very best.”
It was stunning inside, exquisite. There were beautiful white columns, exposed brick walls, gold statues, and chandeliers – so many chandeliers. It was everything she imagined it would be and then some. James seemed to know exactly where he was going, nodding and smiling at the different attendants as they passed them.
He stopped outside a set of double doors where two attendants stood. It was the grand ballroom, according to the sign on the wall. James nodded to the attendants, and they each opened his door, each in sync with the other, exposing what looked like a dream straight out of a fairytale.
There was a gold dance floor in the middle of the room, surrounded by round tables with elaborate floral arrangements that sparkled with dangling crystals on each. The gold chairs were each wrapped in a satin bow that had crystals hanging from them, matching those of the chandeliers. Peonies – there were peonies everywhere, in every shade of pink and pops of red.
Tony met her at the door and kissed her cheek, his eyes full of emotion. “You, my dear, just…beautiful.”
“So, this is where you had to be, huh?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m in charge of escorting you to the dance floor, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” His smile was full of pride and comfort, exactly what Cori needed. “Oh, you’re missing something though.”
He reached in the suit jacket pocket and pulled out a familiar velvet box. “Tony, that’s…” she choked on her words, trying to hold back her tears.
He reached behind her neck to connect the clasp. “I know it is, honey. I’m supposed to tell you it’s real – very real.”
When he pulled her arm through his and started down the path to the dance floor, Cori noticed Devina, Jersey, and Chastity. James was at their table too. In fact, the tables were full of people who she hadn’t even noticed until now. When she looked at the dance floor, Bronco sat in a white tutu, and Bunny was there in a black tuxedo tie.
It was when Nick walked out to join them that her breath caught. He was in a tux, handsome as ever.
“Hear him out, Cori,” Tony whispered before leaving her on the gold dance floor, standing right in front of Nick.
“Hi,” he said, nerves clearly consuming him. All she could do was smile. If she spoke, she would cry.
Nick grabbed her hands, and pulled her closer. “I uh…miss you. I knew you were the woman for me long before I knew you. I didn’t realize just how much so until you were gone. Cori, I made a mistake; I should have done things differently, but I didn’t. I can’t change any of that, but I can tell you that I love you – more than anything. I guess…I…I didn’t want to scare you off. I thought if I was patient, you would come around, and it would be your idea, and it would be…amazing.”
His smile melted her heart; his words picked up its pieces. “I should have just told you how I felt the minute I knew what that was. And if it made you run – I would’ve chased you because I would chase you anywhere, for as long as I need to because…I love you. I need you. I want you…more than anything. Being without you – I learned that we aren’t supposed to be apart. Neither one of us is whole without the other. I know that’s true because I see it in your face, your smile, your laugh. We were supposed to find each other, Cori, and I hope that I read you right and that you feel the same way because I can’t go another day without you. Not one more day.”
Jersey was going to have to forgive her because there was no stopping the tears he provoked. She loved him. He did make her whole. She needed him, too.
“Nick, I…”
“Cori…” he interrupted her…didn’t want to hear anything she had to say but those two little words. He dropped to one knee and pulled a ring box from his jacket. “Will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife – for real this time? Marry me?”
It was her ring, the one he bought for her. She didn’t need a minute or even a second to think. “I will.”
He placed the ring on her finger as he got to his feet. He pulled her into his arms and swung her around, kissing her as he did. The place erupted in cheers and laughter, some tears, too.
When he placed her on her feet, she looked around, taking in all that he did just to propose to her. It was the wedding he had been planning. All of the favors he called in, from the cake to the catering, and even the flowers…it was all here. This time, it was very real, no longer a lie, and a proposal rather than a wedding. That left her with one question.
“There’s only one thing…” she said.
“What? Anything…”
“I’m not sure how we’re going to top all of this with the wedding. It’s one hell of a proposal.”
With a panty melting smile, he said, “How do you feel about island weddings? I have a private island…”
“Of course, you do…”
THE END