Page 60 of One Hotlanta Night
I settle myself on the plush couch, knowing the guys will come over once they can extricate themselves. Getting to introduce Vivian to my childhood friends fills me with an unexpected pride. Although I know I want her in my life forever, this is still brand new for me. Yeah, my friends have seen me with other girls; we’ve all known each other since grade school. But it still feels really good when Sebastian sits down next to me and asks, “So she’s the one, huh?”
“You figured it out that quickly?” I smirk as I sort the ceramic tiles.
“Dude, you can’t keep your eyes off her.” He punches me lightly in the shoulder.
“Yeah, man, she is.” I glance up, my gaze constantly drawn to Vivian as she gets to know her future sister-in-law. “Not all of us found our dream girl so early you know.” Seb nods.
Sebastian found his ‘one’ several years ago when Amanda showed up at one of our pickup basketball games, but her strict parents didn’t allow her to date at the time. Considering he was such a manwhore in high school, it shocked everyone when he discarded his playboy ways in order to wait for her. I gotta hand it to him, he was attentive and patient until the time when they could officially be together. The running joke is that they’ve gotten too used to waiting and that’s why he hasn’t put a ring on it yet. Everyone knows they’re the real deal, but I think Sebastian is waiting til she graduates college. Makes sense. But we still give him hell for it.
We I shoot the shit as we play dominoes just like we have a million times before. My eyes frequently catch Vivian’s across the room. I’m ready to jump up the second she needs me, but her relaxed posture and broad smile lets me know she’s having a good time. She fits right in with my family, just like I knew—hoped—she would.
Sebastian notes how our eyes maintain connection over the busy living room. “I like seeing you like this, man. Whatever she’s doing to you, it’s working.” He’s not wrong. These guys have been my ride-or-dies for years now, and fuck if I don’t miss them. Leaving Charlotte meant leaving some of the best men I know, but we’re all at points where our paths might split. They supported me one hundred percent then, and Seb’s approval means the world to me now. They’ve witnessed the girls I’ve dated before and knew I wasn’t serious about them. Not enough to bring them home to meet my family. Today just proves this isn’t some fly-by-night thing.
Finished with sorting the dominoes and unwilling to wait any longer, I stand up to bring Vivian over so I can make official introductions, but she’s already walking over to me. “Hey there, mi amor,” I say as I lightly kiss her cheek. It feels like foreversince I’ve touched her skin. “Did you and Isabella have a lot to talk about?”
“Oh,somuch,” she gushes and I roll my eyes, wondering which of the many embarrassing stories my sister told her.
“It wasn’tallabout you, you know.” She playfully elbows me, and I gasp, pretending to fall down from her punch.
She laughs as she helps me up. “For real, your sister is really cool.”
“Couldn’t agree more.” I run my hands up and down her arms. “Let me introduce you to two more ‘cool’ people.” I see her body tense slightly even though her smile never falters. “Relax,” I remind her, kissing her behind her ear and noting how her breath hitches. “Isabella loved you and they will too.”
“You keep doing that to me and the last thing I’ll do is relax.” She releases a shaky breath. “And we’re right in front of your family!” The admonishment makes me snort.
“Nobody is going to care about that, trust me,” I tell her with absolute certainty. “Little kisses aren’t going to offend anyone.”
Her eyebrows raise in skepticism, but before she can say another word, I take her hand and turn toward Sebastian. “Connor!” I call out. “Come meet my girl.” A huge smile spreads across his face as he extricates himself from my uncle’s conversational clutches.
“Really good to meet you, Vivian,” he says, holding out a hand to shake.
“I’m Sebastian,” my other friend tells her. “We’re so glad to meet the person who tamed this crazy sucker,” he teases as I groan and throw my head back. With a lot of family comes a lot of ribbing; I’d just forgotten how much.
“Pleased to meet you. And do tell me more.” Vivian’s eyes sparkle, her unease melting away at the idea of getting more dirt on me. I don’t bother trying to hide my smug grin, watchingas her natural charm and humor meshes easily with Seb’s and Connor’s efforts to bring her into the fold.
The conversation flows with ease, peppered with funny and embarrassing anecdotes, including the one about alcohol poisoning on our camping trip. Vivian laughs and jokes with them effortlessly, as if she’s always been part of the group, and I’m content to stand behind her, my arms wrapped around her waist, soaking up the moment.
I rest my head on the crook of Vivian’s shoulder, a sense of peace settling over me. Being with her makes me feel at home, more so now that we’re standing in my old home. Everything’s just soeasywith her. Our conversations, our chemistry, and how we relate to each other and not only in the bedroom. We don’t have to work at it; we just fit together naturally.
She’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen, sure, but it’s so much more than that. I love making her laugh almost as much as I love making her come. She’s filled that gaping hole in my heart that was looking for its other half. Like she was made for me. And I for her. She’sminein every single way. Is it too soon to propose? I chuckle, liking that thought. But will it scare her off if I tell herexactlyhow I feel instead of hinting at it? Can she not see what’s written all over my face every time I look into her gorgeous eyes?
“Michael.” She nudges me.
“Hmm, mi amor?” I sneak a kiss to her jaw and she flushes.
“They’re telling us to come say grace. For dinner?” She reminds me when I look at her blankly. It’s incredible how I keep losing my train of thought when I’m thinking about her, even when she’s in my arms. I can fully relax with her.
“Right,” I say with another quick peck.
Taking her hand, I lead her to the dining table. Paquita nods toward the head of the table, and I feel my grandfather’s eyes on me as we take our seats next to him. Vivian may not realize the significance of the placement, but I do. It’s an honor to sit bythe man who’s helped raise us. And it means he probably wants to get to know my girl better. Everyone reaches out to hold the hand of the person next to them, a tradition for as long as I can remember. I cherish this symbol of community as we offer up thanks.
My grandfather begins to pray, thanking God for all His blessings and for providing the food. He continues giving appreciation for what has gone well in his business this week, and thanks Paquita for preparing the food. Just when I think he’s done, he concludes with, “Lord, we pray for an upcoming wedding for Sebastian and Amanda.” Everyone titters at the ongoing joke and my eyes crack open to wink at Sebastian, who’s flushing under the well-deserved admonishment. Better get his act together. “And I pray Michael and Vivian will get married soon too!” my grandfather ends with a flourish and warmth spreads across my chest. The old man must’ve been reading me all night.
As the room erupts in laughter, I glance to my right to see Vivian’s reaction. She looks like she’s in shock, mouth agape and eyes wide.Hmm, so maybe I won’t be proposing just yet.I squeeze her hand lightly and lean over to whisper, “You good, mi amor?” All I get is a nervous swallow as her mouth shuts. I know it’s not the time or place, but all I want to do at this moment is gather her in my arms and tell her just how much I love her. But her wary expression tells me it would be a bad idea to overwhelm her with my declaration. I’m going to have to let her come to me with that one.
It’s not exactly a game of cat and mouse, more like a one/two step dance we’ve been doing. I take a metaphorical step forward, making my intentions clear, and then wait for her to meet me. It’s in my nature to go after what I want, and I know I can be a bit much—some have called me a bulldog. But Vivian is too preciousa goal to risk messing up, and I find myself anxiously awaiting her response each and every time.
Our first night together, I was honest when I told her I was falling for her. Doubt she realizes just how hard though. And this may still be too fast for her. Not for me. My heart is set. Even if I hadn’t heard those words,“By the way, there’s your wife,”spoken to me that fateful night at L’Aventura, I would have fallen for her completely by now anyway. I don’t do anything by halves, and I amall infor this girl. This woman.
