Page 72 of One Hotlanta Night
Trying to lighten the moment, I remind him, “I don’t recall you asking me.”
His eyes sparkle as he tilts my chin up before nipping my bottom lip. “I don’t recall you saying no.”
The burst of laughter escapes me before I can contain it. I’ve never laughed and loved so hard with anyone.
His eyes crinkle as he wraps his arms tighter around my waist and pinches my ass where no one can see. “Not like I would have accepted that as an answer anyway. You’re mine, Vivian. And now you have a ring to prove it.”
“Are you ever going to let me see it?” I tease, and this time he lets me break free of his embrace. When I bring my hand up and the light catches the ring, my heart almost stops. It’s a vintage platinum band art deco style with a large center diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds. As I turn my hand to lookat it better, I see intricate scrollwork on the band. “Michael,” I breathe out.
“Do you like it?” For the first time ever, I hear a note of hesitation in his voice.
“It’s… you don’t understand.”
“What?” His brow furrows.
“It’s so much like my grandmother’s ring. My great-grandfather gave it to her before the war broke out.” I remember the date because it’s part of our family lore. And also because we’d been watching The History Channel the other night on World War I. He enjoys documentaries as much as I do. “Hers has been handed down each generation. It’s just like this. Similar style and everything. I’ve always thought it was the most beautiful thing ever,” I tell him softly.
“So does that mean you like it?”
“I love it,” I whisper.
His face changes from concern to relief as he kisses my finger where the ring rests perfectly. “I’m so glad. Because this ring has been in the family for as long as I can remember. Probably from the same time period.” I gasp. He’s kidding, right? “Really,” he answers the question in my eyes. “My dad didn’t propose to my mother with it because she had different tastes. When I was growing up, he told me he was saving it for me. For me to give to my woman.”
At his admission, my heart skips a beat yet again. This man is going to send me into cardiac arrest. “How… why do you have this?”Right here, right now,is what I really want to know. As always, it’s like he anticipates my question.
“My dad stuck it in my bag when we were up there visiting. I didn’t even know he’d done it til this morning. Scout’s honor,” he says to my shocked expression. “When I called to ask him about it, he said he knew I’d be needing this. And he was right,” he tellsme softly, the warmth in his look encompassing me completely. If he wasn’t holding me up, I think I would melt right here.
“I planned to cook you a nice dinner tomorrow. Run a bubble bath for you, massage your back, and hit all your trigger spots, then give you the ring along with hot cocoa before bed.” Commence swooning, ladies and gentlemen.
His voice hardens a tad. “But then you mentioned your ex might show up, and I didn’t want you to have to handle that alone. Youneverhave to do anything alone again, Vivian.” He grasps my chin firmly and his determination pierces me. “I know a ring won’t keep all the guys who want you away, but it’s still a sign that you’re taken, that you belong to someone. To me.”
He strokes the back of my head and slides his hand down to cup my neck.
“Vivian, do you even know what you do to me? The thought of anyone else touching you, even looking at you, like they could have a chance… I know we haven’t said the vows yet, but you’re mine, mi amor. In every way that matters, you are my wife. I am completely, utterly devoted to you. And as your husband, I will defend your honor every single time.”
Vivian
a few days later
“So… that progressed quickly,” my best friend says quietly, but her mouth curves upward in a smile.
Yep, time to come to the reckoning with Claire.
We’ve barely had a moment to catch up, what with my trip to Charlotte, spending almost every night at Michael’s, and basically doing the roommate version of two ships passing in the night. Derrick volunteered to do the bulk of the inventory, and a reluctant Claire agreed, much to both our surprise. She’ll still have to go over the final numbers and look for any discrepancies, but for the first time since I can remember, she’s actually letting someone else do the grunt work. Either she’s loosening the controlling reins or she’s just plain exhausted. My money’s on the latter.
Regardless, I’m even more grateful to have this evening to decompress with her. Raelynn’s had steady sugars all day and is sound asleep in her bed, and Claire and I are sipping wine on soft bohemian cushions in front of the fireplace. Technically, it’sstill too warm for this kind of thing, but we enjoy the firelight dancing around the room while smooth R&B tunes play on the CD player in the corner.
“Yeah,” I agree, releasing a long breath.
“So how did all this happen?” She nudges my shoulder. “I mean, last I checked, you didn’t want to even call him your boyyyfriend,” she teases.
I choke on my glass of Arbor Mist. “Yeah, we did kind of skip over that part.”
“But, as I recaaall,” she says in her best Yosemite Sam imitation, “you also said you wanted to marry him.” Her mouth is smiling, but her eyes are watching me closely over her wine glass. I blush and not from the fire. “I mean, he called you hiswifeyesterday in front of everyone! It’s like he thinks you’re married already.”
Yeah, that’s pretty much what he told me, I think but don’t say. “To be fair, I really do think Michael has a flair for the dramatic.”
“Ya think?” Her tone is beyond incredulous.
