Page 63 of Spar
Tori held on to the railing for balance. Ryan had known all along.
“He did all of this — tonight, the new space, everything. He loves you, and he’ll take good care of you.”
Tori shot him a pointed look. She didn’t need to be taken care of. She’d spent the better part of the last ten years trying to prove that to her parents, Ryan, and anyone else who thought differently.
“You are incredible and are capable of doing it all on your own. We all know that by now. And if you want to keep on conquering the world on your own, then I have no doubt you will, but isn’t it more exciting to think about doing it with someone else at your side?”
Tori hugged him hard and whispered how much she loved him in his ear before turning to Chris. Their eyes locked as she descended the stairs. She took her time, knowing the entire place was watching her. Falling down the stairs would be a terrible way to ruin this moment. Autumn was practically bouncing with excitement at the bottom of the stairs, holding out a bouquet of red roses.
She hugged Autumn and lifted the roses to her nose. “Thank you.”
The room cleared a path for her as she walked to Chris. Instead of the boxing shorts and robe he should have been wearing, he was dressed in a suit that stretched out over every inch of his ripped frame. He met her at the side of the ring and made a hole in the ropes for her to enter.
Silence fell over the crowd.
“Thank you, everyone, for coming out tonight. We’ve raised over five-thousand dollars.”
The crowd cheered, and Chris dropped the microphone to his side, smiling at Tori. When the room quieted down, he held out a hand in Tori’s direction. “Let’s also give a big round of applause to Tori for all the great work she does for Autumn and the rest of the community.”
The noise inside the gym exploded, and Tori felt a sting of pride.
“Before I fight my older brother, Charlie…” Chris pointed to Charlie standing outside the ring. “…and embarrass him back out of town, I need to settle another match, once and for all.”
Tori laughed uneasily and looked from Chris out into the crowd. She was surprised to find her parents standing next to Ryan. Her mother had the same look of pride and adoration on her face that Tori had seen flashed in Ryan’s direction many,manytimes. She hadn’t realized how much it meant to have their respect until now. Her father stood next to Ryan and the rest of the crew — Elle, Claire, Charlie, Travis, and even Jake. Her insides squeezed with happiness. She was where she belonged, and it had everything to do with the people in this room. She didn’t want to live a life by herself; she wanted to live it surrounded by her people.
Tears stung her eyes as she let the moment sink in. She turned to Chris. He had done all of this. Against all odds, they had found their way back to one another and had put the past behind them. She couldn’t imagine loving anyone more, nor did she want to. Chris fell to one knee beside her, and she gasped as he pulled a red box out and opened it.
“Victoria Ann Calloway, you are beautiful and smart and good. You’re also the most stubborn woman I have ever met. You challenge me and give me a reason to wake up and fight every single day. Marry me?” His eyes pleaded, and his grin taunted in their familiar act.
She wiped the tears from her face and laughed. “Yes!” she shouted to a room of applause. The whistles and screams grew louder as Chris swept her up into his arms and kissed her.
“Pack your bags, little lady. We’re moving you back in tonight.” He placed the large square-cut diamond solitaire on her finger and dangled a silver key in front of her face.
“You couldn’t just toss it over the breakfast table?” she asked, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Laughing, he crushed his mouth to hers.
EPILOGUE
“Don’t you dareanswer that. I’m not done with you.” Chris threw an arm over Tori’s waist and pulled her tight against him as the chime of the doorbell dinged again.
“Ryan never calls this early on a Saturday. Aren’t you the least bit curious what he wants?”
“Curiosity is killing my sex life.”
“Come on.” She squirmed out from under his grasp and stood beside the bed. “I’ll make it up to you later.”
She dressed quickly and padded down the stairs and across the living room to the door. Drawing a deep breath, she threw it open. “I’m sorry. I know you said five minutes, but—”
Ryan ushered Elle in through the open door. “I don’t think I want to know the rest of that sentence.”
“Want coffee?” Chris asked as he came down the stairs slowly, pulling a t-shirt on over his head.
“That’d be great,” Ryan answered as he and Elle settled into the stools on the opposite side of the kitchen counter.
“I got it!” Tori called as she poured the water into the pot and flipped it on. She turned to the happy couple and searched their smiling faces for clues. “What’s going on? Why the Saturday morning house call?”
“Well…” Elle looked like she was about to burst. “…we wanted to tell you last night, but didn’t want to ruin your special evening.” She held out her hand, and the light caught the diamond ring on her finger.
