I cried myself to sleep that night and the few nights after that. Kendy would stay on the phone with me as I sobbed against the receiver.

“I’m sorry, honey. I hate hearing you cry,” she said.

I didn’t want to talk. I wanted to have someone with me, and if the best I could get was via phone, then so be it.

Many times, there would be silence over our long-distance call. And when my eyes were too heavy to keep open, we would drop the call together.

Funny thing was, if this were any other problem, I would have called Kent, and he would have been by my side the moment I hung up.

As tears continued to soak my pillow, I wondered if leave me alone meant fight harder even though I continue to push you away because I’m tired of getting hurt, especially by the people I cared for the most.

But the calls never came.

What was worse than breaking up with a boyfriend was breaking up with a best friend because boys could come and go but best friends were supposed to last forever.

News spread through the office. It was like reliving the past, and it brought me back to Bowlesville once again. The stares, the snickers, the hushed conversations that I was so familiar with occupied my workplace. There were even some dirty looks from women I hardly knew. I gritted my teeth, kept my face on my computer, and ate my lunches at my desk.

I will not cry in front of these people.

I will not.

I will not let them see me break down even though I am a mess on the inside.

Caroline didn’t help the situation. She would bring me coffee every single day and put her arm around me. “I’m here for you whenever you are ready to talk.”

Everyone would stare every single day, every single time she did it. I knew she wanted me to feel better, but I would have felt better if she just acted normal as if nothing had happened.

I didn’t want to know, but I found myself asking anyway during one of our breaks. “Caroline, what are people saying?”

She shrugged. “I don’t believe ninety percent of what I hear, and you shouldn’t either.” She placed her hand on top of mine.

“I’m okay, Caroline,” I said, trying to reassure her.

“I know you didn’t marry him for money,” she snapped.

My eyes widened. I already knew that was one of the things they were gossiping about. The funny thing was that it was the absolute truth. I had married him for money.

I didn’t deny it, but I told her my truth. “I loved him, Caroline.”

She pulled me into a hug, squeezing tightly. “Then, what happened? Can’t you work it out?”

I bit the inside of my cheek and willed myself not to cry. “I wasn’t enough.” I mirrored the same words Brian had said to me outside my apartment before he left for New York.

Now, I finally fully understood what he’d meant.

Renee, my boss, acted as she always had, which was exactly what I needed.

“What are you working on?” she asked, towering over my desk one day.

“Panchal Corporation. They are one of Jim’s prospects. I’m looking through the financials right now,” I said, glancing up at her.

“Good. I need another favor.”

“Sure. Anything, Renee.”

She looked at the papers in her hands. “Uh…I know you are going through some things, and I wanted you to know that if you need some time off, I understand.” She held up her hand as I tried to interrupt her. “You’re one of our best underwriters, and the quality of your work is exceptional. If you want to slow down for a little bit, you can. You do have vacation days.”

I didn’t want to see the sympathy in her eyes, but it was there.

“I’m dealing. Right now, work is the only thing keeping me going.”

She nodded once. “Yes, I understand. I’m the same way.” She straightened out her stance. “Well then, I’m going to get to another point. I’m building my team in California. You know we’re expanding out west.” She paused, gauging my reaction. “As I’ve mentioned before, I want you to come with me. Management wants me to have my team up and running before the end of the month. I’m moving in a couple of weeks. You’re a top notch employee, and I’d like you on my team.”

When I remained silent, she continued, “One Financial will pay all the relocation fees. If you have a lease, they will take care of that as well. Plus, there is a hefty sign-on bonus to entice internal employees to move. You don’t have to answer me now, but I’d like a response by the end of the week.”

Kent’s presence touched every bit of my life in Chicago. Being in my apartment flooded memories of us hanging out and watching reality TV together. Every time I stepped into a restaurant, I would think of him and our love of food. If I stayed in Chicago, I knew my heart would never heal. I’d always be broken.

It was a no-brainer. I needed a second chance at a new start.

“I’ll take it,” I said, sitting a little taller.

The next few weeks trudged slowly, and the only thing that kept me going was knowing that I had an end date to my old life and a start date to my new beginning.

One afternoon, I glanced up to see Jim lurking near my desk. As soon as we made eye contact, he walked over. “Uh…I was going to go without you today, but Mr. Plack has requested your presence at their corporate headquarters downtown.”

I glared at him, but he continued, “I know you’ve been through some things.” His usual confidence was not there as he glanced at his shoes. “I tried to insist that you were no longer on the account, but he pressed. They’re having their quarterly update today, and he’d like you to see where Plack Industries is heading, especially since you originally underwrote the loan for their restructure.”

This can’t be happening.“When are you going to grow some balls and for once tell your clients ‘No’?” I couldn’t bite back the disgust in my voice. I gave him my dirtiest look before charging toward the restroom.

He could have told them I was busy on another call. He could have told them I was sick. He and everyone in the whole dang office knew what had been going on. He could have lied, but if I’d learned one thing about Jim, it was that he would never tell his clients no, even if it was at my expense.

I shut myself in the restroom stall and wrapped my arms around my shoulders to hold myself together. I tried to steady my breathing as I fought my hardest to forbid the waterfall of tears to start.

I heard the restroom door swing open.

“Beth? Where are you? That stupid jerk. I told him off,” Caroline said.

I heard her open every stall. She finally found me in the handicap one as I leaned against the wall for support.

“What the hell was he thinking? He’s such a people-pleaser when it comes to his clients. He could have told them no. Damn bastard,” she said, stomping her feet.

“It’s fine. I’m fine,” I said quietly, mostly talking to myself. I bit my cheek hard enough to taste blood, keeping my emotions at bay.

Don’t cry.

Don’t do it, not at work.

“You don’t have to go. I basically told him that you’re not going.” She stood in front of me and held my shoulders. “I told him no.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m leaving anyway. I leave for California in a couple of days. Mom and Da—I mean, Mr. and Mrs. Plack have been nothing but nice to me. If Mr. Plack specifically asked for me to be there, then I’ll go.”

“Are you sure? Are you going to be okay?”

My eyes dropped to the ground, knowing full well I wouldn’t be okay. “The problem is, I didn’t only fall in love with Kent. I fell in love with his family, too. I’ll be okay. I’ll be gone soon anyway.” The tears threatened to spill over. “It’s just…I’ve tried everything to forget him. I’ve avoided every place we ever went to, everywhere that reminds me of him and now, I have to go see his family.”

“Oh, honey,” she said, pulling me to her side, “I’m so sorry.”

Her gentle, consoling touch broke me as the first of my tears betrayed me and began to spill over. “Caroline, my heart…hurts.” I dropped my face into my hands as my sobs shook my body. “It physically hurts, and all I wish for, all I want is for the hurt to stop. I just want it to stop.” I cried, feeling warm tears wet my palms. “I wasn’t supposed to fall for him. I’d forced myself not to fall, but then I did.” I sobbed harder, collapsing into her arms. “Because I’m stupid. I’m so dumb.”

I ugly-cried on her shoulder. She held me until my breathing steadied, my tear ducts dried out and finally, I had no more tears left to fall.

I didn’t look at Jim or speak to him as we drove to Plack Industries’ corporate headquarters in the city. I nodded at his comments as I stared blankly out the window and at the buildings in front of us.

Before we walked through the double glass doors into Plack Industries, I rubbed the back of my neck, bit the rest of my pinkie nail off, and took a deep breath.

I didn’t want to see Dad. Memories of everything I’d had with Kent and the family I’d felt so much a part of would come flooding back even though it had just been a temporary arrangement.

The receptionist led us through the hallway and into the boardroom.

“This should only take an hour, maybe two hours tops,” Jim said, taking a seat at the long chestnut table surrounded by black leather cushioned seats.

I rolled my eyes and didn’t care that he’d seen it. I would never have to work with him again. In two days, I would be on my way to California—away from him, away from Plack Industries, away from it all.

When the doors opened, we both stood. Two women in suits followed two men into the boardroom. Right behind them, Mr. Plack strolled in. He nodded toward Jim. When his eyes reached mine, his face lit up, followed by a warm smile.

“It’s good to see you, Beth.” Mr. Plack came over and pulled me into a bear hug, patting my back.

“Hi, Mr. Plack.” My ears warmed as I surveyed everyone in the room watching us, but Mr. Plack didn’t seem to care as he held me a little longer than comfortable in a professional setting.

“Mom and I—we’ve missed you,” he said, quietly backing away. He held me out at arm’s length and studied me. “You’ve lost weight. Have you been eating?” he asked, his eyebrows pulling together in concern.

I nodded, feeling the warmth of my ears spread to my face as everyone stared at us. I’m sure they gossiped in this office, as they had done in mine. Most of the people in this room had most likely been to the wedding.

After a few seconds, he shook his head and turned around. “All right, we’ll get started in a few minutes.” Mr. Plack sat at the head of the table and flipped through his papers. “Jason, pass out the copies of those projections.”

I reached into my purse, pulled out my pen, and opened my portfolio to a blank page. One by one, people filed into the conference room, filling the seats around the table. I glanced up when I heard a high-pitched female laugh, and I almost fell out of my seat when I saw Kent walking in, followed by a tall brunette. He looked annoyed at first, but when he saw me, his eyes widened. He was surprised to see me, too.

“Beth…” he said, his eyes lighting up.

The chatter in the room slowed to a dull hush as he took me in.

I gave him a small wave and lowered my head, focusing on the papers in front of me.

“Okay, everyone, grab your seats. Let’s get started. I have an eleven o’clock meeting after this,” Mr. Plack said.

The seats around me were occupied, and I released a soft sigh of relief. I wouldn’t have been able to survive the whole meeting if Kent were right next to me. I didn’t hear a word anybody was saying. I didn’t even glance up from my papers. I could only feel his stare from across the room.

When the lights turned off and the third presenter walked up to the projector, I stole a glance. A small dimple emerged on his handsome face when my eyes caught his. I glanced away toward the numbers on the screen.

I didn’t know why he was here. He’d wanted nothing to do with the company. I was so confused. I wanted to hide. I wanted to run. Most of all, I wanted to cry. I wanted to cry because over a month later, it still hurt being in the same room with him. It hurt because I realized one thing. I missed him so much even though I didn’t want to.

The only thing that kept me in my seat was my hands gripping the sides of the leather chair. I bit the inside of my cheek and told myself to focus. Focus on the numbers. Focus on the screen. I had to focus on anything but the emotions running through me from just being in the same room with him.

When the lights flipped back on, I didn’t glance in his direction. I could feel his eyes on me, burning a hole through me. His stare warmed the whole side of my face. I lifted my head, forced to look at him when he walked to the front of the room.

“Hi, everyone. I’m Kent Plack, assistant to the head of logistics for the roll out of this expansion. In other words, I got the job that no one else wanted.”

The whole room chuckled, and even though I’d tried not to, the side of my mouth lifted slightly. His eyes warmed when he saw my smile, and he continued to talk about the renovations to the plants across the nation.

As he stood at the front of the room and pointed at the white board, I found myself drawn to him. He exuded confidence and wit. He knew what he was talking about, and my heart swelled with pride as he continued to speak. I’d always known he would be successful at anything he did. Watching him at the front of the room, taking charge and commanding the audience in this professional environment, I felt genuinely happy for him, happy for his family.

Although I couldn’t have him for myself, even though I couldn’t keep him, I knew I loved him wholly and fully because I wanted the best for him. I wanted him to succeed. And seeing the glint in Mr. Plack’s eyes as his son spoke of the future expansion, I knew this was where Kent belonged.

When he concluded his speech, the whole room clapped, and the first thing Kent did was look in my direction. He raised his eyebrow slightly with his silent question, asking me if he had done okay. I met his eyes and nodded while I clapped slowly along with the group. It was only then that both his dimples appeared.

When the meeting ended, Jim walked toward the CFO and started a conversation. I picked up my purse and put my pen and portfolio away. I felt his presence before I even heard him.

“Hi, Beth.”

I glanced up while gathering my papers from the table. “Hey,” I said shyly. I looked around as people started to disperse from the room.

“You look great.”

I continued to organize my papers. “You did amazing up there,” I said, trying to change the mood.

I tried to block out the proximity of his presence, but I couldn’t. He smelled of newly laundered sheets with a mix of his expensive cologne that exuded masculinity. It saddened me because at one time, just the scent of him had meant he was close, and it had been what calmed me when I needed it the most.

The brunette from earlier popped up in front of him. “Kent, want to do lunch today?”

“Sorry, not today,” he replied, his eyes never straying away from me.

“Okay. Maybe tomorrow then?”

I felt a pang of instant jealousy as I took in her petite figure. He’s not yours to be jealous over, I reminded myself.

“No, I don’t know. Not now, okay?” He didn’t try to hide the annoyance in his voice as he shooed her away.

She gave me a once-over before strutting out the door.

“How have you been?” he asked, a dimple showing on his handsome face.

“Good.” Creating some sort of barrier between us, I held my portfolio tighter to my chest. I looked toward the gray carpet because staring at him made my heart hurt again.

He moved into my line of sight. “Do you…do you want to do lunch or something? I can drive you back to the office.”

“No. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“I found this new steak place, and I thought of you.”

I shook my head, and his face fell.

“Every time I try a new restaurant, I think, ‘Beth would like this place,’ and then I wish you were right there with me,” he said quietly.

I glanced around us. Everyone had already left the conference room. We were the only two people left in the empty boardroom. I stepped back and composed myself before the sadness in his eyes filtered into mine.

“Kent, I’m so happy you’re working with your father. It seems like things are looking up for you. I always knew you could do it.”

He reached for my wrist, and I weakened at his touch.

“It’s because of this one beautiful girl who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. She’s the reason that my father looks at me from across the boardroom with pride in his eyes. Maybe that’s why my mother hugs me a little tighter now, and I didn’t even think that was remotely possible.” He leaned in. “Your push is the reason I’m here.”

I looked at where his hand met my flesh. “I’m happy for you. Good luck, Kent.” I pulled my wrist back but the warmth from his touch was still present.

He leaned into me and my breath caught. “Beth, I…I miss you,” he exhaled, his voice breaking.

I missed him, too, but I couldn’t afford to say it, especially since I was leaving. I bit my cheek and gave him a sad smile. “I took a job in California. I leave in a few days.” I’d had no intentions of telling him, but then again, I never thought I’d see him again.

He paused, taking my words in. “California?” he asked.

“It’s a good opportunity. I’ll be working for my same boss. It’s going to be great,” I said, speaking quickly.

“Is this because of me?” he asked, his eyes tormented.

“No, it’s not,” I lied, shaking my head. “It’s because of me. I need a change of pace. I need something new.”

He met my eyes and then looked to the floor. Jim peeked inside the conference room and signaled that it was time to go before he walked away.

“Listen, I have to go, but I wanted to say thank you…for being there for me with my mom problems and…for everything. I wish you would just cash those checks I send you for paying my bills.”

“You earned it. That money is yours,” he said. “Stop sending me checks because I won’t cash them.” He reached for my hand again and linked our fingers together. It was the most intimate of holds, the warmth of his hand spreading throughout my body. “I don’t want you to go,” he said softly.

I thought I was going to lose it at seeing the unshed tears in his eyes. I searched his face, and before he could say any more, I pulled back my hand. “I’m so proud of you, Kent. I wish you the best.”

I turned and walked quickly out of the room, so he wouldn’t see me cry.

On my hands and knees, I taped the last of my moving boxes. I glanced around me. My apartment was bare. No pictures remained on the wall, and throw pillows and blankets were packed away. Tomorrow, I’d be off to California to start a new life yet again. Hopefully, this time, it wouldn’t be as complicated.

I stood, pulled my high ponytail a little tighter, and looked at the clock. I’d been packing all day, and I’d forgotten to eat lunch, so I grabbed my keys and headed out the door.

I found myself at a local cafe down the street, and as I took the last few bites of my panini, I mentally made a list of what else I needed to accomplish before the move. After eating, I strolled back toward my apartment, walking slowly to take in the city view for one of the very last times. The sounds of cars bustling around me and the train overhead filled my ears.

Then, I saw him and stopped. Just the sight of him made my heart hurt. He took my breath away, and the flood of butterflies stirred in the pit of my stomach. I walked toward him at a painfully slow pace.

“Hey,” Kent said. A dimple emerged as he lifted up a McDonald’s bag. “McRib sandwich?”

I smiled, and his eyes lit up in response.

“I didn’t know you ate McDonald’s,” I said shyly.

“I don’t, but I thought if I ever did, I wanted my first experience to be with you.”

I suddenly became wistful but I had to stop because I couldn’t let myself feel this way. I didn’t want to hurt anymore. I just needed a clean break. I was tired of feeling this way, gutted and heartbroken.

“I already had lunch.” I fiddled with my keys and squinted up at him. “Kent, what are you doing here?”

“Can I come up?” he asked with a slight hesitation in his voice.

“I’m packing.”

I didn’t want to see the hurt in his eyes, but it was there.

His eyes dropped to the McDonald’s bag that he was holding before meeting mine. “Come on, Beth. We eat together. That’s what we do.”

I sighed because it was the truth. It was what had brought us together as friends. I knew I shouldn’t allow it, but in the end, it didn’t matter. I was leaving tomorrow.

I walked past him and held the door open as he followed behind me. We were silent on the way up in the elevator. I stared at the red numbers indicating our ascent to each floor as I felt his eyes burning a hole on the side of my face.

When I walked into the apartment, I dropped my keys on the counter. He stared at the stack of packed boxes near the TV.

“You’re leaving,” he whispered.

“You knew this.”

“I guess it just feels real now.” He shifted and walked toward me.

I took a step back until I felt the kitchen counter behind me. “Kent…” I warned, putting both hands up to stop him from inching forward.

“I just want to talk.”

“We’ve talked enough. I can’t do this. It’s like we’re breaking up all over again even though we were never really together,” I said, my voice trembling.

“Beth, hear me out. I’ll regret it if you walk away and I never laid it all out on the table.”

I bit my cheek and stared at my hands that were now clutched together.

“It’s hard for me to do this, to talk about my feelings. I’ve been thinking of what I should have done, how I could have made things turn out differently. I realize I messed things up, myself.”

I glanced up at the intensity of his voice as he inched closer.

“You know, I was so used to things being how they were, what I did day by day. It was routine. I was content. Life was just fine as I knew it—going out with Luke every night and living life as I did.” He took another step forward. “Like I said, I was content and fine living that way. Then, I met you. Who knew eating, watching reality TV, and just talking was more than fine? It was fun. Spending time with you was what I looked forward to every day. Then, you left me…and I’ve never been so miserable. I’ve always gotten everything I’ve ever wanted. When you left, I felt like I’d lost it all. I’ve never felt emptier.

When you said you loved me, I got scared. I was scared of the unknown, scared of ever hurting you. Mostly, I was scared of my feelings for you. I’ve never felt this way toward anybody before. The way I feel about you, Beth…it scares me.”

He moved to lift my chin to face him. “I’ve fallen utterly and deeply in love with you,” he said, meeting my eyes. “And the more I tried to stop it, the more I tried to get back to the friendship we had, where we were before, the more those feelings intensified,” he said.

“Beth, when I’m with you, I’m more than fine. I’m happy. It’s effortless, and I want that back. I want you. I want a chance to work hard to earn you. I want to earn your love. I want to be the man you deserve. I want a chance to give you that movie ending. I want to be your once-upon-a-time, your dream come true, and your happily ever after. Just give me a chance. Have faith in me.”

He brushed a tear from my face. It was only then when I realized I had been crying.

“It’s like having vanilla ice cream all your life,” he began, a dimple emerging. “And being content with vanilla ice cream because that’s all you ever knew. Then, someone introduces you to chocolate ice cream and your life is forever changed.” He framed my face with his hands. “And you never knew life could be so good. I don’t know about you,” he said, “but I, for one, cannot live without chocolate ice cream.”

I stared into his liquid chestnut eyes. I saw the truth and his sincerity as he’d poured his heart out.

He’d spoken a language I understood. I didn’t want to live without chocolate ice cream either.

So, I took a leap of faith.

I lifted my lips to his to answer his silent plea.

And chocolate had never tasted better.

He was the one who had suggested we go slow, and I’d agreed. Given that we’d started off as friends and had been thrown into a whole pretend-marriage situation, it only made sense that we started dating as a real couple.

When he’d said we should take it slow, I hadn’t thought he meant painfully slow, like snail or turtle slow—as in will-this-madness-ever-end slow.

The first few days were fine. I felt like I was in high school again—going out on dates, making out in the last row of the movie theater, going to second base in the back of his Bentley while parked in an alley, and making it to third base on his couch. But after the fifth date of only making it to third, my insides were about to combust. I really wanted him to take me to home plate, but he would always be the first to stop when I gave him every indication that it was okay to make that home run.

Every night after our date, we’d end up in the same position in the same place—on his couch with barely any clothes on. I knew if we made it to his bedroom, it would be game over for sure, and I would always try to make it to his bedroom. For some reason though, he’d stop before we even got to that point.

While I was only in my bra and skirt and he was shirtless, I pulled his lips back to mine. His masculine scent filled my nose as I tugged on his drawstring pants. I trapped him, wrapping my legs around his waist, as I bit his upper lip ever so slightly. I pushed my pelvis up to meet his hardness, and moved against him until we created this sensation that made it difficult for us to breathe.

His lips trailed kisses from my cheek to my ear until his tongue met that spot on my neck that always drove me mad. My head fell back, and I closed my eyes, enjoying every sensation coursing from where his lips touched to the pit of my stomach to in between my thighs.

My breathing accelerated to match his when I felt his hand inch underneath my skirt before sliding up my thigh. I let my knees fall to the sides to accommodate him, and when he pierced me with his fingers, creating that sensual friction between my legs, a small moan of pleasure escaped my lips.

I lost all control. I lifted my head and attacked his lips, pushing my tongue to meet his. I dropped my hand and rubbed his hardness against his cotton pants as I heard his labored breathing through his nose. When my hand moved to the waistband of his pants, his kisses and his fingers slowed, just like it had the night before and the night before that and the night before that night.

“No, don’t stop,” I said against his lips. I moved my hand against his, which was still lodged in me.

His head dropped to the crook of my neck. “What happened to nice and slow?” He exhaled as he tried to control his breathing.

“I don’t want nice and slow. I want it hard and fast,” I whined as he stopped moving against me.

His fingers moved to my outer thigh, and he hovered above me, using one arm for support. “It’s hasn’t even been a week since we officially got together.”

“So?” I pouted, peering at him through my lashes, all the passion now gone. “Seriously, what’s the point? Whether it’s one week or one day, it’s not like you’re robbing me of my virtue. Someone else did that years ago.”

The dimple on his cheek emerged as he looked down at me. “You’re adorable right now, you know that?”

He kissed the top of my nose, and I pouted like a five-year-old.

“I like how you think I’m cute when I’m going to die of sexual frustration!” I huffed, pulling my eyebrows in. I turned my face to the side and feigned sadness. “It’s like you don’t even want me as much as I want you,” I said softly, hoping he’d feel bad and just take me.

My breath hitched when he lay flush against me and pushed his hardness in between my legs.

“Does this feel like I don’t want you?” he whispered before nipping at my chin. He pushed his length even closer to my core and moved a trail of kisses up my neck to below my ear. “I’ve never wanted anyone so badly,” he said softly, his breath tickling my neck. “The first time I make love to you, I’m going to make you come over and over again until you beg me to stop. We’re going to make love on every surface of my condo and every time we are alone. You’re going to be so sore that you won’t be able to walk, yet you’ll beg me for more. And you know what? I’ll gladly be the one to satisfy your need.” His tongue traced a path from the top of my outer ear to the bottom. “And that’s why it’s worth the wait.”

I couldn’t move. I held my breath. I couldn’t do anything as everything south tingled from anticipation of his promises to come.

He pushed himself off of me, and I tried to trap him again with my legs.

“Don’t go,” I begged. I gave him the biggest puppy-dog eyes that I swore would work.

“We have work tomorrow, and I don’t want you to be tired.” He kissed me and pulled me to a sitting position.

For someone who had slept with practically every girl in Chicago, I was surprised by his self-control. During the past week, every time we had found ourselves in the same situation, I’d transformed into a begging, whining little bimbo. I’d practically torn my clothes off, hoping he’d forego the slow and give in to the hard and fast. I’d been staying in his condo but only in the guest bedroom per his insistence. Half the time, I’d been tempted to strip down and surprise him by walking down the hall and slipping right next to him.

“I’m not talking to you,” I said, crossing my arms in front of me as he stood. “I want to have hot, passionate sex, so I’m no longer frustrated, and I can finally sleep soundly. Until then, I’m not talking to you.”

He moved in front of me, forcing me to drop my crossed arms. I gave in and leaned against his hand caressing the side of my face as our eyes met, his chestnut brown to my emerald green.

“I love you, Bethany Casse,” he said, his eyes shining.

The words he’d never spoken to anyone else softened me.

He leaned down to meet my lips and pecked me sweetly. “If you don’t talk to me, how will I know what you want for breakfast?”

I kissed him one last time and stood from the couch. “Fine. I’m not talking to you tonight,” I said as I stomped toward the guest room. “I want bacon and eggs in the morning. Thank you.” I didn’t look back because if I saw my beautiful male with his tousled hair and hard, toned abs, I’d lose all self-control and propel myself toward him.

This man is driving me insane, absolutely insane.

I keyed into our condo after work and stepped into darkness. I was about to turn on the lights when I noticed the flicker of candles on the dining room table. I was about to yell out Kent’s name, wondering if he was here, when I saw him cooking by the stove.

“Hey,” he said, peering back at me. He continued to stir some concoction, its fragrance filtering through the kitchen.

“What are you making?” I dropped my bag on the floor, walked toward him, and hugged his middle as he continued to stir. “What are we celebrating?” I kissed his shoulder.

He angled his head in my direction and continued to stir as a dimple emerged on his cheek.

His eyes moved back to the pot on the stove. “Can’t we have a nice candlelit dinner at home just because?”

I angled my head to the side to get a better look at his face. He wouldn’t look at me, and I could tell he was being shy for some reason that I couldn’t place. My head flipped back to the dining room table where I noticed the light coming from two white tapered candles resting on top of silver holders. A table setting was positioned atop two gold placemats and the glimmer from the light reflected against two wine glasses.

I kissed his shoulder again, and realization slowly set in. Although he couldn’t see, a small smile crept up my face.

“So,” I used my pointer finger to run a line from his shoulder blade to the inside of his arm, “aren’t you the cute one?” I moved to his side and pulled at his belt, tugging him toward me. “I know what you’re up to.” My hand slipped under his shirt, feeling the firm muscles of his stomach. “You don’t have to make me dinner to get laid. All you have to do is ask.”

He cast me a look and turned to the stove. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said as a dimple emerged on his cheek.

He averted his eyes, and my insides filled with excitement at him playing cute. As my hands moved to his waistband, he turned to face me.

“Baby, dinner first,” he said, dropping the wooden spoon and reaching for my hand to kiss it.

“I’m not hungry.” I turned off the stove, pushed him against the counter, and got up on my tiptoes to kiss him. “Dessert first.”

He smiled and lowered his head to meet my lips. His hands trailed from my shoulders to my arms before finally resting on my hips. I thought he was going to stop, but instead, he dug his fingers underneath my shirt and into my skin as he pulled me against him.

The kisses started slowly at first until I tilted my chin. He opened me with his tongue and found passage. He lifted me by my bottom, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. Excitement hit me as I felt him aroused, and I fisted his hair as he moved us from the kitchen to the living room and into his bedroom without breaking contact.

He placed me on the bed and looked down at me through hooded eyes. He lifted his shirt above his head and tossed it behind him. I bit my lip in anticipation as he took my face in his hands, cradling my chin. He kissed me tenderly as though I would shatter. I inhaled deeply and took in his masculine scent. Never leaving my lips, I felt his fingers loosening the buttons on my shirt, one by one. I quivered at his touch. When my shirt was off, he unclasped my bra and chucked it behind him. Heat rushed my insides as I felt him on top of me. His hands slowly drifted up my legs and onto my thighs. I lifted my bottom to assist him, and as he started to slip off my skirt, I froze.

“Wait,” I said breathlessly, my heart racing in my chest.

He rested his forehead against mine, trying to calm his breathing. “Stop?” Lust filled his eyes. “Baby, I need you. I need in you—now.”

“I know,” I said. “It’s just…I didn’t do laundry and…” I was still breathless. I shouldn’t have felt embarrassed, but I hadn’t been prepared to have our first time be tonight. I wished I’d worn something sexier.

“What?” he asked.

I slipped off my skirt to reveal my flowery grandma panties.

He peered down at the pink-and-green high-waisted underwear and fisted the sides with both of his hands. “Only you can make granny panties look so damn sexy,” he said, slipping them off. “I. Don’t. Care.”

I laughed as his lips connected with mine again. He kissed me until my mouth was raw. His tongue was tasting, flicking, and exploring. I slipped off his pants and gripped his hardness, triggering a switch that seemed to turn up the heat as all his restraint faded. Feeling him at my entrance, I shifted to accommodate him. He cradled my face, and there was a slight tremor in his hands as he rested his forehead against mine.

His eyes filled with such emotion, such intensity. “I love you,” he said.

My eyes forced closed, and I bit my lip at his fullness as he rocked into me.

I would have waited forever for this, for him, to feel him inside me. Our connection was beyond physical. It was deeply emotional. I loved him, and now, he was mine, all of him.

As we made love, he whispered how beautiful I was, how good I felt, and how much he loved me, over and over. I watched a look of pleasure pass on his face. When I felt that familiar buildup intensify, the one that only he could give my body, I closed my eyes to enjoy the sensations coursing through me.

His movements increased to a pace that made the tingling at the pit of my stomach spread to my legs. He gripped my thighs hard as he rammed into me again and again until I felt the contractions rise. My toes curled, and convulsions overtook my body. Just when the contractions began to slow, his thrusts became faster and harder, causing the buildup to rise again. Low groans left his mouth as his steady pace intensified. I screamed his name, and he slowed and stilled in me, both of us coming together in ecstasy. I laid on the bed, utterly spent and fully satiated. I couldn’t move. My body felt like jelly but in a good, satisfied kind of way. I could lay there forever.

When his breathing slowed, he turned to flip me until I was lying on his stomach. When my heartbeat began to descend to a normal pace, he let out a low laugh.

“This night didn’t turn out like I’d planned,” he said, running his fingers through my hair. “It was supposed to be romance, candlelight, and dinner first.”

I lifted my head to look at him and raised my eyebrows.

“I wanted to give you the movie version.”

“Oh,” I said, realization setting in. “Well, this is much better than the movie version. If this were the movies, I’d be watching the love story happen on the screen. In this version, the good stuff happens to me.” I said, resting my chin on his chest.

He peered down at me and brushed a strand of hair away from my face. “Yeah, this is so much better than the movies.”

He kissed me long and hard until I forgot my name, forgot where I was, and even forgot how to breathe.

“Here,” he breathed, “I get the girl.”

I felt his length harden below me against my stomach. I guessed if this were our movie, part two was going to start real soon.

One Year Later…

Warm kisses woke me up from my sleep. I smiled, feeling kisses on my eyes, on my cheeks, on my nose, and eventually my lips.

“Wake up, baby,” Kent whispered. “Wake up, beautiful girl.”

“No,” I said, playing coy and turning over to my other side.

I didn’t dare open my eyes as I placed the pillow over my head. My silk nightgown ruffled against the down comforter. Puppy pajamas had been long gone, and had been replaced with silk and lace nightgowns. Kent, being the shopper that he was, had brought home presents almost every day. They had usually consisted of designer clothing or nightwear. Plus, I’d been added as a client on his personal shopper’s list. I’d told him that the way to this woman’s heart was food, so sometimes, he would bring home dinner instead.

“Baby, don’t make me get you up,” he said.

I knew he was smiling.

“I want to see you try,” I said teasingly as I turned over onto my stomach.

He straddled my back and started poking my sides, left and then right and then left again, tickling me. I bucked him off my back and faced upward.

“Stop, Kent. Don’t you start,” I said, giving him a playful look.

He continued to tickle my sides.

“Please. Please. Okay. I’m up, I’m up.” I cried.

His hands slowly came to a stop, and I gazed up at him, taking in his every feature that I’d memorized over time. His chestnut eyes were full of emotion, and his residual smile faded as he gazed at me intently.

He lowered down on top of me and placed his hands on each side of my face. “God, you’re beautiful,” he said before kissing me passionately. He slowed his lips to a painful halt and closed his eyes while resting his forehead against mine. “Although I’d love to wake you up in a much more pleasurable way, I have plans for us today. Therefore, we must get up, or I swear, we’ll be in bed for the rest of the day.,” He opened his eyes with a more serious look now, and the passion was gone.

“There’s nothing wrong with that.” I smiled and wrapped my legs around him to bring him closer.

When I slowly kissed his neck, he stilled.

“Kent, are you saying no to your wife?” I trailed kisses from his neck back to his lips.

“Baby, when do I ever say no to you?”

He shook his head, disentangled himself from my hold, and pushed himself off the bed. “You are forever going to be my weakness, but I have plans for today. I’m going to take a very cold shower, so I can get ready. Breakfast is right here by the bed.” He gave me one last peck on the lips and sauntered toward the bathroom.

The muscles on his back moved with each step he took, and his biceps flexed as he took off his shirt and threw it on the floor before stepping into the bathroom. I was momentarily tempted to jump in the shower with him, but then I smelled the eggs, bacon, and toast beside me. My stomach growled, and food won out. I scarfed down the food and waited for my turn to hop in the shower.

“Okay, here’s the first surprise for the day. Close your eyes,” he said, both dimples appearing.

I squeezed my eyes tightly shut, smiling the cheesiest smile ever. Butterflies were in my stomach as I felt a cold chain being placed around my neck. This wasn’t the first time he’d slipped jewelry around my neck, but I got excited every time he did it.

“Open your eyes.”

I touched my neck to feel a heart-shaped locket. I looked down, and my hand automatically flew to my mouth in shock.

“Kent, where did you get this?” I whispered. “Pete told me he’d sold it all.”

“He did—to me. I picked up all the stuff in Bowlesville when you left me. I needed all the ammunition to win you back. I wasn’t going to let you leave me without a fight.” He tucked an escaping strand of hair behind my ear. “Picking up Nana’s stuff was the first step. Getting my shit together was the second.”

He cupped my chin with his palm, brushing his thumb against my lips. “I remembered how you used to look at Brian, how your eyes would fill with admiration. I remembered you telling me once that you wanted your happily ever after, that you wanted it to be with him.

“When I was alone, I would wish that maybe someday, I could live up to those expectations, be that man who deserved you, be the man you’d be proud to have. I would think that maybe you could have that same look in those pretty green eyes just for me. I thought maybe I’d get lucky one day, and at the end of it all, I would be the one to give you that happily ever after ending. I wanted to be your other half, your better half. I wanted to be the man who made you happy.

“Because you believed in me, I took a chance. I took a leap of faith in myself, believing that I could be that guy you deserved. I wanted to be the one you could look at every day, wake up to every morning, and be proud of. That’s why I got it together, and I took the job.”

A small smile touched his lips. “Who knew that my whole world could be changed by one unbelievably beautiful girl? You’re the one girl who occupies my dreams, who lives in my heart, and who owns my very soul. You’re that one girl who has changed my everything, everything that I thought was all right to everything that is better. You’re the one girl who I’m so in love with that I can’t see straight.”

He bent down to brush his lips against mine. It was a soft kiss, but nevertheless, it was a kiss that stirred butterflies in the pit of my belly.

He pulled back and brushed his hand against the gold on my neck. “I told Pete not to let you know that it was me. I have the rest of the stuff in our storage.”

I opened the locket of Nana and Papa. He had given her the locket on their twenty-fifth anniversary just before he’d passed away. They looked so in love. My chest ached at the memory of them.

“This is the best gift I’ve ever received,” I said, wrapping my arms around him. “Thank you.” I kissed him lightly on the lips.

“You’re the best gift I’ve ever received.” He placed his arms around my waist. “And there are better things to come.”

When I got into the car, Kent blindfolded me. I had no clue where we were headed. I was as giddy as a little girl, anticipating what could top Nana’s locket.

I knew we reached our destination when the car stopped. When I stepped out of the Bentley, I felt the gravel under my heels and leaned into Kent for support.

“I’m afraid I’ll fall,” I said, concentrating on walking straight.

“Don’t worry. If you fall, I’ll always be there to catch you.”

I could feel the smile on his face.

I pinched his side. “Just so you know, you’ve turned into a cornball on me ever since we got together.” I laughed.

“You’ve changed me. What can I say?”

I no longer felt the wind against my short white linen dress, and that was how I knew we’d stepped into someone’s house. I heard hushed chatter around me. Kent stopped and released my hand, and a moment later the chatter ceased. I couldn’t help my cheeks from hurting from my smile. My heels clicked on the floor and as Kent lead me down more stairs, I felt the warmth of the sun once again and smiled at the anticipation of my surprise.

We stopped, and I felt Kent’s hands move me to face him.

He kissed me lightly on the lips and lifted the blindfold from my eyes. “Surprise,” he whispered.

My eyes scanned the area, and once again, I was speechless because of this man. Hydrangeas, roses, and lilies filled Kent’s parents’ backyard. A trail of rose petals created an aisle leading farther down to a twelve-foot arch outlined with pink and white garden roses and green ivy. At the end of the aisle, four wooden chairs were occupied with the people I loved the most in the world. An officiant stood at the center.

When I glanced down, Kent was on bended knee, and the look on his face took my breath away.

“This year has been amazing. You’ve made me the happiest man, and I never thought I could love anyone as much as I love you.” He reached behind and presented me with a bouquet of wildflowers. “Bethany Marie Casse, will you marry me…again?”

I nodded once, tears forming at the corner of my eyes.

He stood, and I wrapped my arms around him. I pressed my lips against his before he handed me the bouquet.

Walking down the aisle, I closed my eyes briefly and smiled. To everyone else, it was a renewal of our vows, but to me, it was my perfect wedding day.

This day, I felt Nana’s presence beside me, around me. It was in the chirping of the birds, the scent of the flowers in the air, and the warmth of the sun on my cheeks. I saw the crinkle of her eyes when she smiled and the wisps of gray and white locks on her head. I felt her wrinkled hands upon me where the breeze brushed against my arms. I felt her surround me, and as tears slowly fell down my face, I realized she would be proud of me today—for what I’d become and for what I’d overcome.

Everyone said they married their soul mate. Not only could I say that, but today, I was truly marrying my best friend.

He reached for my hand at the end of the aisle. Seeing the tears under my eyes, he framed my face with his hands and wiped them away. This time, I didn’t pull away.

I looked into the eyes of the man that I loved, and I answered his question before he even had a chance to ask. “I’m crying because I’m so very happy.”

THE END