Page 81 of Only If You Dare

“Desiree, I’m sorry. I couldn’t tell you what was going on. I had a hard-enough time as it was dealing with the fact that I had to leave you all.”

“Oh, you had a hard time dealing with it, huh,” I said, my response snarky. “What about the hard time I had, dad? Dealing with the fact that I was the oldest, my mother was distressed, my sister was confused, and I had to lead us when I had no idea how to do so? I had to become tough even though I was weak most times. It resulted in me constantly picking at my sister whenever I felt like she wasn’t doing something perfectly.

I felt it was what she needed. I pacified my actions by calling it tough love. But you know what, in actuality, I was unerringly picking on myself. I saw myself in Claudia; the little girl who wanted to get things right to please my family. So, I picked on her like I silently picked on myself. And once I realized what I was doing, I did one of your numbers daddy and I left. The pressure I felt after your departure was too much for me. So, I ran like the wind.”

My eyes traveled from my father to the front door of Starbucks. It opened, and Cameron traipsed out the door with a coffee cup in hand. He saw us standing in a circle then his eyes landed on me.

“Shortly afterward, I fell in love with someone. We dated, and decided we wanted to be together. He gave me promises of forever and I believed that’s what he wanted. “My eyes misted over and I clenched then unclenched my jaw. “But it wasn’t. I had to find out the hard way, and it tore me apart.” I wiped the tears before they fell and looked away from Cameron back to my father.

“My trust in men has been at an all-time low. I honestly never thought I’d love one again. But this year, I had the pleasure of meeting someone who connected with my soul on a level I’ve never known before. When he’s around, my spirit is refreshed on a supernatural level. I know without a doubt we belong together.”

I reached out and grabbed Julian’s hand. When our fingers met, the clandestine heat that always pooled over me didn’t disappoint. It saturated my bones and I breathed in a soul snatching breath.

“You know when I said I wanted to be with you,” Julian said grabbing my full attention. “I meant… forever…” A single silver box was produced. It sat beautifully in satin material wrapped in an elegant bow in the palm of his hand.

My eyes popped, and I gasped instantly. My hand flew to cover my mouth. Concurrently tears sprang to my eyes, and I cried profusely like a newborn baby.

“You’re killing me, Bella,” Julian said. “I had other plans in mind to ask you this, but right now seemed like as good a time as any.” He shrugged and pulled his lip between his teeth. “Besides, I was out of patience anyway. I want you… I need you to be my wife, mi Amor.”

Julian popped the top and the three-diamond trilogy ring sparkled. That didn’t help his chances of getting an answer because I was crying harder now. Everything about this instant was crazy, but at that moment, there was no caution in sight. Heartily, I nodded back and forth.

“Is that a yes,” he asked.

“Yes!”

“Excuse me,” the Starbucks restaurant manager took that time to interrupt us. “Is there a problem out here?”

“No,” my father said. “My daughter here just accepted a marriage proposal. He smiled brightly, pride affluent in his eyes. Surprisingly I didn’t feel scolded by his use of the word daughter.

“Oh, congratulations to the lucky bride!” The manager rejoiced.

“On the contrary,” Julian said, “I’m the lucky one.”

Julian stepped forward, sealing us so close friction popped between us. When his lips landed on mine, I hurriedly kissed him back. He laughed against my mouth at my hungriness, and I found myself the aggressor.

“If you keep this up, Bella, we’re going to give our guests an eye full.”

I heard him, but I couldn’t move away from him and I was glad when he didn’t either. Standing there in the parking lot of Starbucks, with my father, Cameron, Santana, and the manager looking on, we kissed, forever sealing our destiny’s together for all time.

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