Page 68 of Knight

“I think it’s a wonderful thing you’re doing. Will appreciates it. He just has integrity and doesn’t want to take credit for something you did. He’s a good man like you. I’m glad I got to meet him. I understand why you two are friends.”

After another late night in bed, we sleep in on New Year’s Eve morning. We order room service, hit the spa, and just have a lazy, relaxing day. I order Darian a few extra spa services while I take care of some things.

We get dressed for the New Year’s Eve party we’re attending. I’m in a blue suit and blue shirt with no tie, waiting for Darian to come down to the lobby.

She steps off the elevator in a strapless green dress that matches her eyes. It hugs her body to complete perfection. I reach for her and twirl her. “You’re genuinely the most stunning woman on the planet. You take my breath away.” I kiss her hand. “There is absolutely zero chance of me keeping my hands off of you tonight.”

“That was my plan, Knight.” She looks me up and down. “You look pretty breathtaking yourself.”

I softly kiss her. We head to the party. Will and Frankie are there when we arrive. We all hug hello. Darian and Frankie admire each other’s dresses. I’m happy they get along so well.

At some point during dinner, Frankie and Darian head to the bathroom. This is the first time that Will and I have been alone. “Wow, Jackson. I’ve never seen you like this.”

I shrug my shoulders. “I guess love changes you. Even my old ass.”

“You haven’t changed. It’s just that for the first time in your life that you’re truly happy.”

“Iamhappy. She’s amazing.”

“She’s gorgeous.”

“She is, but it’s not just that. It’s everything about her. I think I’m addicted to her.” He laughs at that.

“I get it. I really do.” I know that’s true. He and Frankie are the real deal. “I hope it works out. I know she has some baggage.”

“Nothing we can’t overcome.” He nods. “Remember, we’re heading out early.”

“I remember. Good luck, buddy.”

The girls return. We finish our meal and spend the next few hours dancing and drinking champagne. We’re having a blast. I love dancing with Darian. I love the feel of her body on mine.

Being true to my word, I don’t keep my hands off of her for the entire evening. Once I see that it’s 11:15, I grab her hand. “Time for us to go.”

“What do you mean time for us to go? It’s almost midnight. Why would we leave?”

“I have plans for us, sugar. Trust me.”

We say our goodbyes to Frankie and Will and head out.

We get in the car. “I have no clue what you’re planning, Knight. It seems strange to leave the party right before midnight.”

“There’s something special I want to do with you as we ring in the new year.”

“We’ve done that something special about a hundred times this weekend.”

I chuckle. “Not that. At least not until later.”

We arrive at Dad’s house. Darian is looking at me like I’m crazy. We bypass the front door and head toward the backyard.

I help her up into the treehouse. She walks in and looks around. The floors are completely covered with plush blankets. There are lights strung everywhere. There are lit candles on the tables and window sills.

She turns around to me and finds me on one knee. Her eyes open wide and she covers her mouth.

“Darian. You came into my life and flipped it upside down. Besides my love for my children, I’ve never known pure, true love in my entire life. In you came, and taught me what it is. I love every single thing about you, and I don’t want to exist another day without it. I know without any doubt that you’re the one true love of my life. You’re my soulmate. You’re my everything. I want you to be my wife. I want to bring in the new year with our new life together.”

I pull a box out of my pocket and open it to a three-carat, square-shaped diamond ring. “Darian, will you make me the luckiest man on the planet and marry me?”

She hesitates for a moment and then she shocks me. “No.”

---