Page 86 of Fight For Her
Ginger greeted us with a hug and a freshly baked cookie.
“Did we die and come back as characters in a Hallmark movie?” I whispered in Coby’s ear.
He kissed my cheek and rubbed his beard against me. Nope, this was real life.
I found Mia and Shawn sitting by the lit fireplace sipping something out of mugs and ran to my best friend. We’d both had such busy weeks leading up to the trip that we hadn’t seen each other in too long.
“Ken Dolly, you’re here!” she squeezed me tight. “I didn’t think this place could get any cuter but Ginger outdid herself.”She pointed to a large tree set up in the corner, and I laughed.
“How’d I know she’d go nautical with the Christmas décor too.”
“Right? After seeing those bins of decorations last time, I’d say this was the way to go. I love the conch shell ornaments, so original,” Mia said.
I spotted Coby and Shawn chatting quietly a few feet away and grinned. Seeing their friendship grow was so sweet.
“I think they missed each other,” I said to Mia, nudging her to peek over at them.
“Aww, give them a day or two and I bet they’ll find somewhere to spar though. I’d put money on it.” She pulled me by the arm to show me some other changes Ginger had made to the lobby since our last visit.
“How’s Alex doing? I haven’t talked to Olivia in a few weeks.” I picked up a pine scented candle and brought it to my nose.
“He’s okay, recovering well and ready to be running around again. I offered to stay for the holiday and help her out, but she insisted she had everything under control.” Mia raised a brow. “Something’s fishy with her. Between you and me, I think it has to do with a guy, but her lips have been sealed.”
“Interesting,” I said. “Best friend detective work when we get back?”
“You read my mind,” Mia laughed.
After unpacking in our urchin room and reacquainting ourselves with the bed and shower, we got ready to meet Mia and Shawn next door for dinner. Coby had been insatiable from the moment we stepped foot into the room, fucking me like it was the first time he’d felt my body.
I was starving from our marathon. My mouth watered thinking about all the delicious options on the menu that I’d been dying to try.
Coby and I walked hand in hand to the restaurant while the cool breeze tickled my skin. His warm presence filled me with a sense of calm and joy that I didn’t know was possible. How had I gotten so lucky?
He tilted his head toward mine and a small smile played on his lips. Opening the familiar door to the restaurant he asked, “You ready?”
“Of course, I’m starving,” I answered, confused.
“After you,” he held the door and followed me inside with a palm on my low back.
“W-What…” I stuttered. “Babe, what’s going on?”
The tables were all pushed to the side with the exception of one right in front of the stage area. White twinkle lights were the only light in the space, casting a glow. Mia and Shawn were nowhere to be seen. In fact, the whole place was eerily quiet. I looked up at Coby, a silent question in my eyes.
“Come sit down,” he said, guiding me to one of the chairs and pulling it out for me. He took a deep breath in through his nose and adjusted the neckline of his shirt. Butterflies flapped against the walls of my stomach and the sensitive skin on my arms prickled with goosebumps.
He hopped up onto the stage and nodded. Then it started “Dreams” my song. The opening beat I’d know anywhere played from a speaker somewhere in the room.
Tears welled in my eyes. Coby smiled. A sweet lopsided smile that made his dimples pop, and I thought my heart might burst through my chest. He began to sing, no microphone and no fanfare like last time. Just him and I and this song that’s grown to mean so much more than what it did during my childhood.
He reached the chorus and crooked his finger for me to join him. On shaky legs, I stood up, kicked off my heels, and climbed the step to him. Up close I could see the blush of his cheeks and a glint in his steel eyes. He gathered me into his arms with the most intense look on his face.
The music changed to another upbeat song, but the volume lowered.
“Coby?” I asked, biting my lip.
I knew this song. Oh my God.
“Marry You” by Bruno Mars. Tears streamed down my face as Coby crouched down on one knee.
