As Landen stood at the door, waiting for it to be opened, he was surprised by how nervous he felt. Leaving the night before was probably the hardest thing Landen had ever done, but he knew it had been the right thing to do.

He had known it was a big deal to ask her to move in with him, but it hadn’t been a decision he had made lightly.

For Landen, this was a step he had never imagined he would want to take. He had his life exactly how he had always wanted it, also he had never felt like he was missing out on anything. That was until he had met Amelia, and in a heartbeat, all that had changed.

He was surprised just how quickly he had gotten used to sleeping next to her, and how good it felt. It gave him a kind of comfort that he had never imagine it would. He hated when she wasn’t there.

It almost felt alien to Landen to feel this way, but he did, and now he wanted more. Everything about her just made sense to him, he knew that whatever life had in store for him, he wanted to share that life with Amelia.

Landen knew he had surprised her the night before, but he hadn’t really thought that she might not feel the same way about him. The moment he saw the expression on her face when she found the key and security card in the box, Landen knew that he might have made a huge mistake.

What had surprised him the most was the disappointment he felt when she didn’t instantly say yes to moving in with him. He had tried so hard to seem unfazed by her reluctance, but he knew she could see through him.

That was why he decided the right thing to do was go home.

Landen knew that if he had stayed, he would have pushed her for an answer, and that would have been unfair for him to do. Amelia said she needed a little time, so he thought the best thing to do was give her a little space too.

But now that he was standing there once more, he knew that any answer other than yes was going to break his heart, and this was shocking to him.

Finally, the door opened, and Landen breathed a little sigh of relief when he saw Nikki standing there instead of Amelia.

“You look amazing,” Landen said as he gave his friend a nervous smile.

“And now I know exactly how you looked the night of your prom,” Nikki said with a smile as she stepped back to let Landen into the apartment.

“You’ve seen me in formal before,” Landen replied, not really knowing what she was talking about.

“I was actually talking about the look of terror on your face,” Nikki said as she led him down the hallway to the living room.

“I do not have a look of terror on my face,” Landen replied with a sigh, as he rolled his eyes.

“If you say so, Boss Man,” Nikki said as she giving him a knowing smile.

“Do I really look nervous?” Landen asked, giving his friend a worried look.

“Yes,” Nikki replied honestly. “But you are not the only one.”

“She’s nervous too?” Landen asked in a hushed voice.

“Well, it’s not every day that Landen Murphy asks you to move in with you!” Nikki exclaimed, then gave him a wink.

“So, she told you,” Landen said, unsure if this was a good or a bad sign.

“Yes, she told me,” Nikki confirmed, but then added with a smile. “And for what it’s worth, I think she would be mad to say no.”

“Thanks, Nikki,” Landen said as he gave her a grateful smile. “I just hope she feels the same way.”

“I don’t know how she feels,” Nikki said as she walked to the mirror above the fireplace, checking her make-up. “She is as deep as you sometimes, but she looks fantastic. I think I outdid myself on this dress, Boss Man.”

“I’m sure you did,” Landen replied with a laugh, but he stopped as Nikki nodded behind him and he quickly turned around to Amelia standing there. There were no words to describe how simply stunning she was.

“Do you like?” She asked as she gave him a nervous smile before she gave him a twirl, so he could see her entire dress.

“I love,” Landen said as he slowly walked towards her, with the biggest smile on his face. He stopped right in front of her, his smile widened even more. “How did I ever get this lucky?”

“I think you mean how did I get this lucky?” Amelia replied as her voice cracked with nervous energy.

“Okay you two,” Nikki chimed in from behind Landen. “Get a room already. All you’re short of doing is dropping down and doing it right here.”

“Classy as ever, Nik,” Landen sighed turning and giving her a scolding look.

“Always, Boss Man,” Nikki laughed as she picked up her clutch from the coffee table. “Now are we going to get this show on the road, or will I need to break out a couple of ice buckets.”

“Move,” Landen pointed towards the door, as he tried his hardest not to smile.

He knew exactly what Nikki was doing, and he was grateful to her. She could sense that they were both as nervous as each other, and she was doing what she did best. She was lightening the mood.

“Charming,” Nikki said as she walked past Landen, as she did, she stuck out her tongue. Landen couldn’t help but smile this time. He turned, looking at Amelia, and his smile widened once more.

“Shall we?” He asked as he offered her his arm. She just smiled as she took it, and let Landen lead her out to the door, and then into the elevator.

“Amelia,” Nikki said as the three friends rode down in the elevator side by side.

“Yes,” Amelia said as she leaned forward slightly, glancing over at Nikki.

“If you decide to move in with Landen,” Nikki said, and Landen could hear the amusement in her voice. “You should know there’s no givesies backsies. You move in with him, and this grumpy old fart is all yours.”

Amelia just laughed out loud, and Landen almost choked, he couldn’t believe she had said that even for Nikki.

He glanced over at her, and she gave him a smile that told him she believed that everything was going to be okay, and something told him, right at that moment, it really would.

When they arrived at the ball, Landen could feel all eyes were on him and Amelia, or more precisely, Amelia. He knew mostly it was because she was probably the most beautiful woman in the room, but also because this was a first for him. He never brought dates to these things. He never really brought dates anywhere, so to see the great and powerful Bulldozer with a date on his arm was a surprise to most there.

As they made their way through the crowd, they were stopped time and time again, as people clambered over each other to talk to him. He knew that it was in part because of who his family was, as much as his own reputation. As he did, he introduced Amelia to everyone they talked to.

“Ms. Coleman,” one man said as his eyes raked over her entire body. “You look awfully familiar, are you perhaps related to an old college friend of mine, Marion Coleman. Her family was from Chicago I believe.”

“I’m sorry, I’m not,” Amelia replied with a smile. Landen was impressed how natural she was in this environment. He was sure that she would have been more nervous, but instead, she fit in perfectly like she had been doing this all her life.

Suddenly a flash exploded in front of them, almost blinding Landen, as someone took their picture.

“Sorry, Mr. Murphy,” the young man behind the camera said with an apologetic look. “I’m supposed to get photographs of all the guests.”

“Well you got your photo,” Landen said impatiently. “Now stay the hell out of my way.”

“Of course, Sir,” the young man spluttered out nervously.

“Why was he taking our photo?” Amelia asked, and there was a nervous tone in her voice.

“For that,” Landen replied, pointing to the large display of photographs on the wall behind them. They were pictures from the year before. “They hang the pictures every year from the previous event. It’s become something of a tradition. They said it’s because each year we lose a supporter or two with this illness, so it means they get to be here for one more event after they are gone. But I think it’s more to remind us that there are no guarantees in life, that we should make a difference while we can.”

“I see,” Amelia replied, and Landen could see she felt a little more comfortable with the young man taking her picture now. “What exactly is the charity for.”

“It’s for the ALS foundation,” Landen replied with a sad smile. “I lost a good friend of mine to ALS a few years ago, that’s how I got involved in the charity.”

“Wow,” Amelia said, as she gave Landen a warm smile, making Landen smile too. She really was very beautiful when she smiled.

“Landen,” a deep, familiar voice came from behind Landen and he turned around to find Ben standing there. “How the hell have you been?”

“Hi, Ben,” Landen said, and for some unknown reason, Landen felt a little uncomfortable with the fact that he was there. Maybe it was because he was a reminder of who Landen was before he met Amelia, or maybe it was Landen remember the conversation he had with him, his last night in The Voodoo Club.

He remembered how he talked about Amelia with such vile, disrespect, and now Landen didn’t want him looking at her like that again.

“I haven’t seen you out and about in a while,” Ben said as he guzzled back the complimentary champagne.

“I’ve been busy,” Landen replied quickly, wanting this conversation to end already.

“You never told me how great these charity things are,” Ben said as he leaned into Landen. “Free booze and all the beautiful, rich women. I feel like a fat kid in a candy store.”

“And the fact that you raise money for important causes,” Landen sighed impatiently. Then a horrible thought occurred to him. Was he once like Ben Carey? Before he met Amelia, had he been this pompous and obnoxious? Landen certainly hoped that he wasn’t.

Landen was just about to excuse himself when Ben’s eyes fell on Amelia.

“Well, hello Beautiful,” he said as he offered her his hand. “And where have you been hiding yourself?”

“Ben, this is my girlfriend, Amelia,” Landen said, but there was a warning in his voice that told Ben not to mess with her.

“Well, Amelia, the pleasure is mine,” he said as Amelia took his hand and shook it before she quickly pulled it away. Landen could see Amelia was less than impressed with Ben, and for a moment he wondered if maybe she remembered him from the club. “You look very familiar; have we met before?”

“I doubt it,” Landen quickly interjected. “Amelia is from New York and is my assistant, Nikki’s cousin. You remember Nikki, right?

Landen couldn’t help but grin as Nikki moved closer to Amelia. Nikki was probably the only woman that Ben was completely terrified of. Landen had no idea what exactly happened between the two of them, but he knew that Ben had once tried his luck with Nikki, but he didn’t come off the better of it.

“I do,” he said as he took a step back. “Good to see you again, Ms. Greenway.”

“You too, Ben,” Nikki replied, emphasizing the name Ben with great disdain.

“Well, I guess I should be going,” Ben said as he turned his attention back to Landen. Then, without saying another word, he turned, disappearing into the crowd.

“What a disgusting human being,” Nikki sighed but then laughed as she looked up at Landen. “How were you ever friends with that slimeball?”

“I have no idea,” Landen said as once more the thought that he was, or used to be a little more like Ben ran through his head.

“You’re nothing like him,” Nikki quickly said, as if she was reading his mind. “So stop worrying.”

“You know,” Landen replied with a laugh. “Sometimes it’s very creepy when you do that.”

“But it’s my job to know what you’re thinking, Boss Man,” Nikki said with a grin. “But right now, I am not on the clock, so I am off to see if I can find myself a rich husband.”

“Good luck,” Landen called after her before he turned back to Amelia, giving her a smile. “God help the man that ends up with her.”

“Be nice,” Amelia scolded him, but still she smiled, but then she gave him a strange look. “You seem different tonight.”

“Different how?” Landen asked as he offered her his arm, and she carefully linked it. Landen led her through the crowd, and out to a veranda that overlooked the entire city.

“Wow,” Amelia said as she looked out over the view. “This is beautiful.”

“Yes, it is,” But Landen was looking only at her. He realised right at that moment that he had fallen completely and utterly in love with her.

It was something he hadn’t allowed himself to think of before, but looking at her, as she stood there looking out at the lights of the city, he knew that it was something he could no longer deny.

“You said I was different,” he said as he watched her closely, wishing he could see into her mind and know what she was thinking. “Different how?”

“I don’t know,” Amelia shrugged as she looked up at him and smiled. “Just different.”

“I see,” he said with a grin as he looked out over the city once more, as a comfortable silence settled between them.

“You want an answer,” Amelia finally said, breaking the silence finally. “Don’t you?”

“Actually,” Landen said as he suddenly looked at her, as everything became clearer in his mind. “I don’t.”

“You… you don’t?” Amelia said, and Landen could see that she was a little thrown.

“No,” he replied, giving her a smile. “At least not to that question.”

“I don’t understand,” Amelia said, but Landen could hear the uncertainty in her voice.

“I love you, Amelia,” Landen said simply, holding her gaze with him. “I think I have loved you from the moment I met you; it just took me a little longer to realise it for myself.”

“You love me?” She asked, as her eyes shimmered suddenly with unshed tears.

“More than you could ever imagine possible,” Landen replied, smiling once more. “So no, I don’t want you to move in with me.”

He leaned forward, kissing her softly on the lips.

“I want you to marry me,” Landen continued, and this time his smile was even wider. “I want you to marry me, Amelia Davenport because I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want us to be forever.”

“Landen,” Amelia whispered as she looked up into his eyes. “I…”

“Don’t over think it, Amelia,” Landen pleaded. “Don’t worry about the stupid stuff like how long you’ve known me, or how long any of the other crap that’s going through your head. Listen to what’s inside your heart instead. Tell me that you don’t feel the same; that you don’t love me, and I will understand but don’t let stuff that doesn’t matter be the reason you won’t take a chance on us.”

“Landen,” Amelia began. “You’re right there are so many reasons in my head that are telling me that this is beyond insane. We hardly even know each other, but…”

“I do love that but,” Landen said as his heart hammered in his chest. He knew, without doubt, this is what he wanted, he just wanted her to want it too.

“But my heart tells me that I belong to you,” Amelia said with a smile as tears trickled down her face. “My heart tells me that I love you too, so much. And my heart says yes, I will marry you.”

“You mean it?” Landen asked as he could hardly contain his excitement.

“I do,” Amelia laughed and cried at the same time.

“I love you, Amelia,” Landen whispered before he claimed her mouth with his, kissing her as he had never kissed her before.

“I love you, too, Landen Murphy,” Amelia replied, breaking their lips for a moment before she kissed him back.