Lark
The last week has been tough but everything is finally getting back to normal. Rowen ended up spending two more nights at the hospital, which meant I stayed right there alongside him. He grumbled and groaned about being trapped in the sterile white room but I’d kiss his grumpy attitude away and snuggle deeper into his bulky embrace. When I’d hold our inked wrists together, a beaming smile would replace any hint of a scowl. Rowen really enjoyed our not-so-permanent tattoos, far more than I imagined and pure bliss squeezed my heart. The doctors told him there was nothing to complain about since his adoring wife was there, keeping him happy and occupied.
That lie bit me in the ass more times than I could count. Rowen ate it up too, making sure to point it out each time one of the medical staff referred to me as Mrs. Sworr. I would smile and blush like my skin was on fire, while the butterflies wreaked havoc on my belly.
Worst impulsive decision ever.
Okay, not really. It did get me into Rowen’s room and allowed me to be with him constantly throughout his three-day stay. I enjoyed pretending to be his wife, probably too much, but it was easy to get whisked away in the fantasy. Once he was discharged, we took off without a backward glance but a pinch of disappointment hit me that our matrimonial farce was over. It evaporated almost immediately when Rowen asked me to be his stay-at-home nurse until he went back to work. I couldn’t agree fast enough.
We’ve spent the last several days locked away from the world, sharing gentle kisses and soft touches. I’ve been testing out a lot of new recipes and am an expert at giving sponge baths. Rowen’s been learning how to lay back and let someone else take care of everything for a change. His parents have been stopping by daily and are staying in town though the weekend. We’ve enjoyed plenty of laughs, mostly at Rowen’s expense. Every moment has been great.
Well, except the afternoon we drove to the police station to identify Rowen’s attacker. That sucked ass but they caught him and I gave him the finger through the mirrored glass. Immature but somehow rewarding, especially when Rowen enveloped me in a tight embrace and whispered how much he loved me. We shared a kiss and snuck back into our bubble of domesticated bliss.
Going to work today was unavoidable, especially for me due to a mandatory staff meeting this afternoon. It was my turn to groan and grumble but my sweet boyfriend swatted me on the ass before telling me he’d make up for our brief separation later. Rowen was planning to stop by his office for a few hours and check on some contracts. He promised it wouldn’t be anything strenuous, just a few phone calls revolving around the partnership with that Brock guy from Texas.
The hours have thankfully flown by and it’s almost quitting time. I used to be the last one to leave work, always consumed with paperwork and living for my job. Now, I can’t seem to get out of here fast enough. As I’m packing up, my phone dings with a text notification.
Speaking of my reason to get home quickly . . .
Rowen: Change of plans, Vix. Meet me at the restaurant.
Suspicion tickles my brain because we always ride together.
Me: Why? I’m leaving work now. There’s plenty of time before we’re supposed to go.
It takes a few minutes for him to respond, which only escalates the annoying curiosity poking at me. Why is he being strange?
Rowen: Just because. I’m running behind schedule.
Me: That doesn’t make any sense. It’s only 5 and we aren’t eating until 7.
Rowen: Vix, trust me. Just meet me there.
Urgh. Whatever.
I wasn’t going to get into a texting battle with him. If Rowen wants to drive separate, we will. Rather than rushing home to an empty place, I spend an extra hour finishing up my daily notes and chatting with Willow. She brushes off my concern with Rowen and seems to think his behavior is totally normal. I’m not sure what’s wrong with everyone today.
Is it Friday the 13th or something?
The evening only gets weirder as I pull into Brack’s Box and find the parking lot completely empty. I try to call Rowen but get his voicemail. My finger jabs into the screen an excessive amount of times when asked to leave a message. I toss my phone away as frustration bubbles up my throat. Getting a drink—the stronger, the better—is exactly what needs to happen right now.
I practically sprint into the place with smoke steaming from my ears. After storming through the doors, my steps falter. Rowen is waiting behind the host stand, looking deliciously handsome as always. My wild gaze scans the lobby but there’s not another person in sight. I’m on instant alert as my pulse takes off in a mad sprint.
What the hell?
Rowen breaks the silence. “Hey, Sweetheart.” A wide grin spreads his gorgeous mouth and my knees almost buckle because of the dazzling sight. He chuckles at the stunned look covering my face.
“Thanks for coming to Brack’s Box. Do you want a table or are you ordering out?” He asks while making his way toward my frozen form stuck in the entryway. My heart swells as he uses some of the first words I said to him all those years ago. I’m still fumbling for the answers to what all this means when he stops directly in front of me. But then it suddenly clicks together.
Is he going to . . .
My tone wobbles as a lump forms in my throat. “What’s going on, Casper? Where is everyone?” Tears pool in my eyes when Rowen laces our hands together before pulling me closer.
“Do you believe in destiny? What about soul mates?” He murmurs while his nose lightly brushes up my jaw.
I manage to provide a breathy, “Yes,” while my legs threaten to fold under the weight of what’s happening.
“I’m so happy to hear that because we’re going back to the beginning, Sweetheart. Right here, at this podium where we first met, so we can rewrite history. From this day forward, every memory will be bright and beautiful, exactly the way it should have been. Just like our future will always be.” He pauses and releases a heavy exhale. His blazing blue eyes beaming into my watery gaze.
“You wanted me to ask you the right way, but here’s the thing, I’m not going to ask you, Vix. I won’t ever give you the chance to refuse, but I will always give you exactly what you want.” He takes a step back before getting down on one knee. My gasp is practically a scream as the tears start streaming down my cheeks in earnest.
“Marry me, Sweetheart. Say you’ll truly be mine, forever and ever.”
Rowen takes out a little velvet box and snaps it open. The sparking pink diamond almost blinds me as my heart stutters to a halt.
This is the exact experience I’ve always wanted, and of course Rowen gives it to me.
I’m nodding and holding out my trembling left hand while blindly wiping under my eyes with the other. That wicked sense of Déjà vu flashes through me like a high-voltage shock but this moment is brand new.
As Rowen slides the stunning ring on my shaking finger, I carefully collapse against him until we’re in a heap on the floor. I’m showering kisses on every available piece of skin I find while whispering I do over and over again.
He laughs before capturing my lips and delivering a mind-melting kiss. Somewhere in between he growls quietly, “I’m glad you’re already practicing for the wedding, Sweetheart.”