by C. M. Lally
“Everybody, attention please,” I snap my fingers, and the wait staff and bartenders gather around. “We’ve got ten minutes. Let’s finish up the prep, then tuck it away. It’s almost show time.” I announce, circling my finger in mid-air to rally everyone.
“Tonight is very special for our family, and we appreciate you being here and providing the excellent service we are known for,” Shawn adds. “It may be a small party, but it’s an important night.”
“Yes. Thank you! Sorry, my nerves are making me forget my manners,” I apologize, shaking hands with most of them and offering smiles to those on the far side of the room.
They disperse to get back to their duties, and Shawn claps my back. “You got the ring, right?”
I tap my breast pocket, taking a deep breath. “What if she says ‘No’?”
“Then she isn’t the one, and we’ll deal with it, but I know her pretty well. There’s a good ending to this story tonight.” He claps my back again and goes to unlock the front door.
I step back and take one last look at the room. The candles are flickering. Dusk is settling over the city. The water goblets are filled, and everyone is in their place. Perfect.
I button my blazer and tighten my tie, tapping my breast pocket one final time.
I’m ready.
I STAND AND TAP A BUTTER knife on my water goblet. Ding. Ding. Ding. And everyone turns toward me with rapt attention. The laughing and talking stop as I clear my throat. Jade looks confused but is still smiling up at me.
“I’m sure you’ve all wondered why I called you here tonight. It’s to celebrate Jade, the woman I love.”
“Here. Here,” our family and friends cheer.
“As you probably know by now, she won her first UFC Flyweight Championship the other night. It came with a big shiny belt. The one she’s been working so hard toward. Many thanks to Lou, Liam and most importantly, Vanessa.” More cheers go up in support. “Also, as you may know, last month we bought our first home together, and we’ve been painting like sleep-deprived maniacs since. Well, I’m here to say that’s all done. Today we moved in together with the help of Shawn and Vanessa.” More cheers and clapping rise through the room.
A few glasses clink, while Liam shouts out, “There’s no turning back now.”
I grip the tiny little velvet box in my hand, afraid I’m going to drop it and spoil the surprise. I grab the water goblet and take a sip to clear my dry mouth. Jade turns to say something to her mother, and in perfect timing, I drop to one knee and flip the box open.
Our friends and family gasp, drawing Jade’s attention back to face me.
“Honey, you’ve shown me that love transcends what your circumstances are, what they were, and what they may be in the future. You’ve shown me that anything is possible with the right attitude, and to not let anything ever steal my joy and passion. I know I’ve been difficult to understand, hard to trust at times, and completely stubborn at other times, but you’ve stayed true to you and us in the process. I can’t live another moment without knowing you’re going to be in my life forever. Will you marry me?”
I search her eyes for any hint of a ‘Yes,’ but all I can see are the tears flowing down her cheeks. She wipes them away and nods her head vigorously. She leans in and places her trembling fingers on my cheeks, drawing me in for a kiss. “Yes,” she says against my lips, and the restaurant erupts in one loud cheer. I pull her to me and hug her, then stand and swing her around and around. When I set her down, we both look out to our family and friends smiling. We’re so fucking happy. The entire staff is clapping and cheering for us, too.
“Put on the ring,” her friends shout out. I slip the round emerald onto her finger, and she flips her hand around for everyone to see.
I embrace her from behind, pulling her back to my chest. “I love you fiercely,” I say.
“And I love you, endlessly, my Enigma.”
About the Author
C.M. Lally grew up in a small village in southern Ohio near the West Virginia border. She still lives a small-town mindset, but has big dreams, so she set her sights on big city life in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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Also by C.M. Lally
The Falling Series:
All Men Fall, December 2016
Falling Hard, March 2017
When We Fall, November 2017
Miami Lust Novellas:
I. Brazen, June 2017
II. Stroke, August 2017
III. Taunt, September 2017
Miami Lust Box Set, October 2017
Bodacious, May 2018