I sit with an empty bag of miniature candy bars in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. Westley romps around the obstacle course of boxes in my bedroom.

A torrential rain outside matches my mood. Lightning flashes, illuminating the dark room.

Dark except for the glow of the television.

Melanie looks so pretty. She dressed up today in a blue short skirt with spiked heels. It’s a good look for her. She should do it more often. I’ve never seen her dress like this during the entire season.

Bitch.

I sigh, knowing it’s not true. She’s one of the nicest people I’ve met this year.

Does she really think Gunner’s going to propose or say they have a future together? Probably.

I barely hear Veronica’s questions as I stare hard at Gunner. He’s wearing black slacks with a gray dress shirt. Fresh haircut. Purposeful stubble along his jaw makes him look even more masculine.

The camera zooms in on his face, caressing the sharp angles of his cheekbones and his square jaw. “So many questions,” he says. “I’m not sure where to begin. Melanie’s easy to be with. I care about her.”

I suck in a breath. He might propose. He might do it after I’d assumed he wouldn’t this entire time.

Black panic bleeds over my vision. I’m dizzy with fear.

Lightning streaks across the sky and a loud boom immediately follows. I jump at Westley’s barking. He hates any loud noises, but especially thunder.

Pop. The television blinks and goes black.

I frown at the blank television screen. “No, no, no.” I scramble around for the remote at my feet. I press the ON button.

Nothing.

Looking up, I realize all the lights are out. Power outage. How much bad luck can one person possess?

I sit on the floor, thinking about Gunner’s last words. He cares about her.

A storm of grief threatens like dark clouds.

He must be in love with her. He said he wouldn’t, couldn’t, didn’t believe.

Self-pity sneaks up on me. I roll the cool wineglass along my flushed forehead. Another glass of wine will help me feel less. Hurt less.

I’m another half glass in when I realize the wine won’t numb the pain of knowing he didn’t want me.

Putting my unfinished drink on a dresser, I curl up on the carpet. Westley licks my face.

“Yes, I know. I know you love me.” I stroke his body until he relaxes.

My eyes drift closed and my breathing steadies. Hot tears slide down my face, and I wipe them away. Rain lashes against my window and thunder vibrates through the house.

Bam. Bambambambam.

Someone pounds on the door downstairs. Disoriented in the dark, I get to my knees and then stand. It’s probably Josie, feeling sorry for me and coming in like the cavalry to save me from my pity party.

Taking a quick step, I stub my toe on a twenty-pound free weight, a reminder of my good intentions about doing squats.

Someday. Someday, I’ll do those squats and quit eating chocolate bars with my wine, and I’ll find a guy who thinks I look beautiful without mascara. The tears come harder.

I’ll find someone, but he won’t be Gunner.

“Just a minute,” I yell and walk down the stairs. “Coming!”

I peer through the front door glass. Lightning streaks across the sky, illuminating the outline of the man outside. Gunner stands in soaking wet clothes with his back to me, but I’d know those broad shoulders and that compact butt anywhere.

“Shit-shit-shit-shit!” What is he doing here?

I back away from the closed door. Maybe he didn’t hear me. I can’t talk to him now.

Darkness envelopes the house and I stumble along the corridor, using my hand to guide me toward the back. The pounding on the front door continues.

My head feels stuffed with cotton due to the excess wine and crying.

I love Gunner Parrish and I hate him.

Hate him for not falling in love with me.

And I love him for being a man who said he wouldn’t fall, but does.

Westley runs around my feet while barking. I stride to the back of the house, as far from Gunner as possible.

“Shush,” I scold and hug my arms around my chest.

Westley runs and jumps along the back door. Gunner appears, his clothing drenched by the rain. He tries turning the back handle, but it’s locked. He spots me. “Open the door!”

I shake my head at him. “Go away.”

“You’re not getting rid of me.”

We stare at each other. He’s come to thank me for putting him with Melanie and there’s no way I can keep my chin up when he does.

I unlock the door anyway. Might as well get it over with. He immediately opens it, stepping inside. Water drips from his hair into his eyes. He uses his forearm to draw it from his face. Westley steps back, out of the growing puddle, but doesn’t attack.

Gunner takes a step forward. “Why weren’t you at the finale? I needed to tell you something.”

“Leave me alone. If you even care about me a little bit, you’ll leave me alone.”

Gunner grabs me and pushes his body against mine. Then he places both hands on the sides of my face. “Are you drunk, woman? I’m sorry for not telling you sooner. I need you. I’m here to lay it all out in plain English. No more hiding from what I really want.”

“Not Melanie? I saw you on the finale telling her…”

“I don’t know what you thought you saw. Are you sure you’re not drunk?” He leans in and sniffs.

I shake my head, tears clouding my vision. “No. A little wine to get me through the show. OK. A lot of wine. But not drunk.”

He sweeps a finger along my cheek, catching a tear. “I can’t promise you that I’ll be easy. I need to take this slow. People in relationships need to spend more than four weeks to get to know each other. But I’m not letting you get away. I know it sounds crazy, but I’ve spent my whole life waiting for you. I’m begging you to take a chance on me. I’m sorry I don’t know how to say all the romantic things, you’ll have to teach me. I’m trying to figure it all out. I even watched The Princess Bride to see what this Westley guy is all about.”

I blink away more tears. I think this is the most he’s ever said without taking a breath. “Gun…” My lips tremble and I smash them together. Hot tears drip down my chin. “You big jerk. You are romantic.”

He takes his thumbs and wipes them away. “Nope. I was an idiot. You were my dream girl at sixteen and nothing’s changed. I’m just saying whatever’s necessary to make sure you never get into the backseat of a car with anyone but me.”

I pull his mouth to mine and kiss him hard. “I’m parked by the garage,” I say against his mouth.

Gunner lifts me to him and I wrap my legs around his waist. He carries me all the way there.