“Zach?” I called and he answered me with a…
“Hmm?”
“What kind of girls do you go for?” I asked, curiously.
“So, you haven’t forgotten the other end of our deal, huh?” he half smiled.
“This is what you just paid me for.” I smiled back.
“Good, I like to see that you’re all about business, when need be.” He replied.
“That’s me.” I shrugged.
“To answer your question, I like girls who can make me laugh.” Zach answered.
“I’ll make a note of that.” I replied.
“We need to make a stop if that’s alright with you.” Zach insisted, and I nodded.
“Do what you have to do. I’m not going anywhere.” I smiled.
“Good to know.” He said taking a detour, before stopping at a vacant lot.
He suddenly had me wondering if he was going to dispose of my body. That notion also had me thinking that Gwen filled my head with too many stories. My phone buzzed again and Zach looked over to me.
“I think you should get that.” He insisted as we rode down the hill.
I saw glowing lights at the bottom as I answered my phone. Oh god, he had set up some romantic dinner and I didn’t know how to shoot him down. The guy was rich, and now working with me. If this night ended badly, I was going to be in hell even more than I was now.
“Hello?” I asked confused.
“Hey, beautiful.” I heard Landon’s voice say on the other end.
“What do you want?” I asked a bit annoyed as Zach parked the car.
“In short, you.” Landon answered.
“I can’t play these games with you. I’m busy.” I snapped.
“Don’t hang up, please.” He replied.
“Goodbye, Landon.” I said, hanging up the phone.
“Not too happy with the ex, huh?” Zach asked and I shrugged.
“That obvious?” I asked and Zach smiled.
“I want to show you something.” He insisted, getting out of the car, before walking around and opening my door for me.
Closing my eyes, I took in a deep breath. Landon was the last guy I needed to talk to at the moment. I was already trying to get him out of my mind. I was definitely going to have to learn to ignore his calls.
“I’m sorry about that.” I said as he helped me out of the car.
“No need to apologize.” He said holding my hand as he helped me down the hill.
I stopped as I saw the sight in front of me. There were lit candles on the ground, which made a pathway. I looked at Zach confused as he winked at me.
“Follow it.” He insisted with a bright smile.
I didn’t know what to say, so I did. Zach followed close behind me, and I was genuinely scared. I didn’t want to hurt the guy’s feelings because he had gone out of his way to make me feel “welcome”. I hope this wasn’t a date where he expected sex afterwards. I knew dating Landon was going to tarnish my career.
I followed the beautifully lit candles all the way to the bottom, and stopped as my heart got caught in my throat. The candles led to rose pedals, which were in shape of a huge heart, and in the center of that heart stood, Landon. He was dressed in a perfect tuxedo and obviously waiting for me. I looked back at Zach, stunned.
“Go easy on the guy.” He whispered to me.
I didn’t know what to say, so I stayed silent as I continued to follow the trail that lead to Landon. I shook my head as I got to him.
“How did you know where I was?” I asked.
“I’m Landon Brooks.” He shrugged cockily. It had been a long time since I’d seen that side of him.
“Ok,” I said dragging the word. “What are you doing here? You ended things with me, remember?”
“I know, but I was stupid.” Landon answered.
“Am I’m supposed to just fall all over you now?” I asked being bull headed. I couldn’t believe he had done this for me.
“Tessa,” he said grabbing my hands. “I love you.”
“Landon…”
“Remember I told you I was broken? Well, I want you to help fix me. I want to be with you, Tessa; I want you and all of you. And if you let me, I want to let you in. You’re the one who can make me forget all the crap that was dealt to me, Tessa.” he insisted.
“I’ve heard this before, Landon.” I said, shaking my head.
I knewI had screwed up big time with Tessa. Tyler had been right when we spoke. I loved Tessa, and that was all that mattered. Letting her go would’ve just be stupid. So, here I was putting it all on the line, and scared as hell. She was staring at me, waiting for a response.
“I know…and I meant it then too. I just—I didn’t want to be the one holding you back from your dream.” I answered, truthfully.
“I’m not ok with you toying with my heart.” Tessa said looking down.
“Tessa, I want you to be my wife.” I blurted out.
Damn it, that wasn’t how I wanted to lay it out on the table, but, it sure got her attention. Maybe now she’d stop protesting and just accept what I was saying.
“What?” she asked, looking up to me as her eyes sparkled in the moonlight.
“I want to spend my life with you. I want us to make beautiful babies together—after you get your business to where you want it to be, and after I get help. I want to go to therapy, and hash out all of this crap in my head that I refused to deal with. I want us to be happy together. I want you.” I said seriously.
Getting down on one knee, I pulled a box out of my left pocket. Staring up at Tessa, I sucked in a hard breath as I glared into her eyes. My heart was trying to tear its way out of my ribcage because I was afraid of her rejection. In the time that I’ve gotten to know Tessa, she’d changed me for the better. I never thought I’d fall in love, but this woman made me fall hard. She’d tattooed her name on my soul, and there was no getting it off.
“Landon—I’m afraid to forget about Dean.” She whispered.
Dean—the guy who held her heart for so long. The guy who caused her to run from me, when I’d first declared my feelings. Thing was, I couldn’t blame her or him. He must’ve been a hell of a guy to get Tessa to fall so hard for him.
“Good because I don’t want you to forget him. Tessa, you loved him and he died. He didn’t break your heart by leaving you for anyone else. I’d be an asshole if I said forget about him. So instead, hold onto the good times you’ve had with him. But it’s time for you to move on and make new memories with me.” I smiled as she began to cry. This was it, my opportunity to do it, uninterrupted.
“Tessa Winters, will you do me the honor of not fighting with me, and agree to be my wife?” I smiled up at her as I opened the box.
Her eyes widened as she saw the ring. It was a half million dollar diamond, and I knew I went overboard on it, but if anyone deserved it, it was Tessa. She had melted my heart and made me love again with little effort. The woman was amazing. I stayed quiet, and impatient, as I waited for her answer.
“Yes.” She whispered.
“Yes?” I asked stunned.
“She said yes! Put the ring on her finger.” I heard Gwen shout, she had been waiting off to the side in the car with Tyler. I wanted to share this moment with them no matter the outcome. If she had said no, both of us would’ve needed our best friend’s support, to pick up our pieces.
“Gwen!” Tessa shouted embarrassed as I slipped the ring on her finger.
Gwen, Zach, and Tyler hustled over to us as I stood up and kissed Tessa.
“Thanks.” I mouthed to Zach. He had been in on it since the moment I’d decided to fly to California for Tessa. I wasn’t about to let her slip through my fingers.
“I’m so glad you said yes, let me see the ring!” Gwen shouted grabbing her hand as they both squealed.
“Congratulations.” Tyler said, giving me a hug. We weren’t where we were before, but we were working on it.
“Thanks.” I smiled.
Everything wa
s finally falling into place for me. I’d lost the thing I feared losing most in life, but I’d gained something in return. Not only did I find the woman I’d love for the rest of my life, I was finally going to learn how to live my life.
“I love you.” Tessa said turning to kiss me.
“I love you too.” I muttered back, pulling the future Mrs. Brooks into my arms. I was never going to let her go.
Finding His Mrs. Right (Mending Hearts Series) Page 15