The next few days had passed by slowly as I worked from home. Cassidy called to tell me that she and Camden were in the city for a doctor’s appointment and then they were going shopping. I told her to come by when she was done, and I’d take them to dinner. I set my phone down on my desk and headed to the kitchen for a bottle of water. As I was coming back to my office, I heard my phone ringing. By the time I got back to my desk, it stopped. I picked it up and looked at it. My heart stopped when it said that I had a missed call from Ellery. She left a voicemail. I pressed the listen button and closed my eyes when I heard the voice that I had been missing.
“Hi, Connor, it’s Elle. I just called to see how you’re doing and how things are going. I guess you’re busy, so I’ll talk to you soon; bye.” She was reaching out to me. I dialed her number and waited impatiently for her to answer.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Hey, Elle, I just got your message,” I said in a low voice.
“Hi, Connor, I was just wondering how you were doing.”
“I’m ok, and how are you?”
“I’m ok; I was just finishing up a new painting.”
“I’m sure it’s beautiful,” I said as I smiled into the phone.
“I could take a picture and send it to you if you want.”
“That would be great, thanks. I’d like to see it.”
“So, what have you been up to?” she asked.
“Not much, really; I’ve been working a lot. What have you been up to?” I asked her, trying to sound normal.
“Nothing really, I’ve been doing a lot of painting.”
“How are you feeling?” I asked.
“I’m ok, I guess,” she said.
I looked at my watch. This conversation was hurting, and I hated talking to her over the phone knowing that things aren’t right between us.
“I’m sorry, Elle, but I have to get going; Cassidy and Camden are in the city, and I’m taking them to dinner. They should be here any minute.”
“Oh ok. Please tell Cassidy that I said hi, and give Camden a big hug for me.”
“I sure will, Elle. Thanks for calling,” I said.
“Sure, no problem; I’ll talk to you soon. Bye, Connor.”
I hung up just as Denny walked into my office and sat down across from me. “I heard that conversation,” he smirked.
“Were you eaves dropping the whole time?” I asked.
“As a matter of fact, I was. So, tell me why you cut her off the way you did.”
“I don’t want to talk about it, Denny,” I growled at him.
“You never want to talk about it, Connor, but you need to face reality. You either love her enough to fight for her or you don’t, and if you don’t, then tell her and walk away. Go back to your old life, and be the miserable prick you were.”
“Damn it, Denny! Why can’t you just leave me alone?! I yelled as I slammed my fists on the desk.
“Because you’re family, and family always interferes in personal matters,” he said as he stood up and pointed his finger at me. “You, my friend, will not destroy the best thing that has ever happened to you. I’m telling you exactly what I told Ellery the other day. Why do you think she called you? I set her straight as well, and now I’m setting you straight. Get your head out of your ass, stop feeling sorry for yourself, and get your plane over to California. I will not sit back and let you both ruin each other and what you have because the other is too stubborn to make the first move!”
I looked at him in shock. I couldn’t believe Denny, of all people, spoke to me like that. I stood up, walked over to him, and gave him a hug. “Thank you,” I whispered.
He patted me on the shoulder, “You’re welcome.”
***
I had a nice dinner with Cassidy and Camden. She asked where Ellery was, and I told her what had happened. She gave me some sisterly advice and she promised me that she wouldn’t tell mom. I stared at Camden, thinking about that night that practically started all this. Ellery wants children someday, but I can’t give them to her. I confided in Cassidy about it, and she told me to have my vasectomy reversed. She went on to say that her boss had it done, and now he has two beautiful, little girls. After dinner, I took Cassidy and Camden to the ice cream parlor. They were both thrilled for the treat. We took our ice cream and sat down at the small table. Being here made me miss Ellery even more.
“I’m going to ask Ellery to marry me,” I said to Cassidy.
“Connor, that’s wonderful! I’m so happy for you,” she said excitedly.
“Don’t get too excited; she hasn’t said yes yet, and who knows if she even will.”
“Don’t be a fool, Connor. Of course she’s going to say yes. Women can’t resist the charm of Connor Black,” she smiled.
“Very funny,” I said. “I’m going tomorrow to pick out a ring and then I’m going to California.”
Camden started getting fussy, and it was getting late. “I’m going to head on home,” Cassidy said as she hugged me tight. “Thank you for dinner, and good luck. I love you, brother.”
“I love you too, sister,” I smiled as we walked out the door and onto the streets of New York. We drove back to the penthouse, and she got in her car and headed home.
***
The next day, I went into the office for a few hours to handle some meetings and then headed to Tiffany’s to buy a ring for Ellery. I walked through the doors, and the saleswoman escorted me to a private room that displayed rows of diamond rings on the table. I picked up every one and examined them closely, but I wasn’t seeing anything that was worthy enough for Ellery. The saleswoman told me that she’d be right back as she left the room. A few moments later, she came in, holding a black cloth in her hand. She held it out and opened the cloth which displayed a beautiful four-carat, princess cut, and perfectly flawless diamond ring, with the infinity symbol covered in diamonds on each side of the band. It was the perfect ring for her. I smiled at the saleswoman and told her I’d take it. I also told her that I wanted to engrave the band. She asked me what I wanted to say as she held a pen in her hand.
“To my love, my future, & my forever.”
The saleswoman looked up at me with tears in her eyes. I smiled and handed her my credit card. She said the ring will be ready by tomorrow morning. I walked out of the store, and Denny was waiting for me at the curb. I slid in the back seat as he turned around, looking at me, smiling. He knew what I did, and he was happy. I smiled back at him and pulled up Ellery’s picture on my phone. I couldn’t wait to see her again. Her treatment is in two days which works out perfectly. I’ll pick up the ring tomorrow morning and fly to California to talk to her and make things right before her treatment.
I decided to go to the gym and workout for a while. I was lifting some weights when I looked up, and Ashlyn was standing over me. I sat up and looked at her.
“Is your crazy girlfriend here with you?” she asked as she looked around.
“No, she isn’t,” I responded as I couldn’t help but stare at the bruise on her face.
“I just want to apologize for saying and doing what I did. I have issues, Connor, and I feel like I’m heading down a bad road. But I am seeing a therapist, and I’m going to get my life straightened out.”
I actually felt sorry for her at that moment. “You do realize that you can no longer work for Black Enterprises, right?” I said.
“I know, and I just handed in my letter of resignation today. I asked Phil not to tell you because I wanted to do that myself.”
“I’m also stopping your monthly payments, but I will pay for your therapy. It’s the least I can do since you’re seeking help.”
“Thank you, Connor,” she smiled. She started to walk away and then turned around. “Tell Ellery I’m sorry and that she’s a lucky woman to have someone like you to love her.” I smiled and nodded my head, and then she was gone. I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I finished my workout and then went home to prepare for my departure to California.
When I got off the elevator, Peyton was sitting in the kitchen, talking to Claire. I walked in, sat down on the stool next to her, and kissed her hello on the cheek. “Is everything alright?” I asked her.
“Everything’s fine. I just stopped by to see how my friend is doing,” she smiled.
“I’m good, in fact, I’m fantastic,” I laughed.
Peyton narrowed her eyes at me. “The only way you’d be fantastic is if you saw or talked to Ellery. So spill it, Black; I want details.”
“I bought Ellery an engagement ring today, and I’m going to propose to her.”
Peyton threw her arms around me. “I’m so excited for you!”
“Don’t get excited yet; she hasn’t said yes, there’s a possibility of her saying no.”
“Ellery will say yes, Connor, trust me. She loves you too much to say no. Plus, she knows I’ll kick her ass if she turns you down.”
“Please don’t tell her about this,” I commanded.
“No worries, Connor; your secret is safe with me. I love my best friend, and I wouldn’t ruin this for her,” she smiled.
“Call Henry, and let’s have dinner together,” I said.
“Great idea, I’ll call him now.”
The three of us had a nice dinner out and great conversation. I really liked Peyton and Henry, and I could see the four of us hanging out together and being great friends for as long as we live.
After I got home, I packed my bag and made sure everything was ready for the morning. I climbed into bed and laid there, planning the perfect proposal. Ellery deserved the best, and I wanted to make sure it was something that she’ll never forget.