by Alice Ward
I pulled my phone from my pocket and found a comfortable place to sit before calling Alisa’s dad. Her mother answered on the second ring, her voice bringing back innumerable memories of me and Clark getting into trouble.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Mrs. Beeler. This is Zek Kellington. I’m not sure you remember me, but—”
“Are you kidding me? How could we not remember you? You half grew up over here, silly boy.” She chuckled as a smile lifted my lips. “How are you? Alisa tells us that the two of you started dating and that you’re a free man now.”
I cringed at her words, but simply went with the conversation. “That’s right. Thanks to Alisa’s hard work in defending me.”
“Well, we’re quite proud of our girl.” Her mother’s tone changed a little. “Speaking of… is she okay? You’re not calling because—”
I cut her off. “No, ma’am. I mean yes. I mean… she’s fine.”
“You seem nervous. This is almost comical.” Alisa’s mother chuckled again. “What’s going on, Zek?”
“I need to come visit you guys, but I thought maybe I could just call first. I bought a ring today, and I was hoping that you and Mr. Beeler would let me ask for Alisa’s hand in marriage. I’ve loved her since we were kids.”
“I knew it!” Her mother’s excitement left my insides warming. “Honey. Get in here. Zek is on the phone and he wants to ask us if he can ask Alisa to marry him.”
I glanced up as Mark walked toward me and mouthed, ‘who is that?’
“Alisa’s parents.” I covered the phone to respond.
“Hey, boy. It’s been a long damn time. What gives?” Her father’s voice filled up the phone and it was my turn to laugh. Clark and I had gotten into more trouble with his old man than anyone knew, including his pretty wife.
“I’m outside the jewelry store, and I’m hoping you aren’t going to make me go back in there and return this pretty ring I just bought for Alisa.” I held my breath, hoping that I had the right to joke with him after all these years.
“Well, hell no. She’s just like her momma and would likely come after all of us if we took that opportunity away from her. She’s been in love with you for far too long for us to stop it. Not that we would.” He cleared his throat. “People make mistakes, boy. We all know that. Just don’t make them again. Once you get married, it ain’t just you. You got a woman to think about, and a family too after a while.”
“Give me that phone. Zek is a grown-ass man.” Alisa’s mom came back on the line. “We’re happy for you, baby. Make sure you guys come visit us soon and show the ring off. We’ll want to tell everyone about it, and you’re getting married in our home church, so don’t get any fancy ideas about running off or having some big unnecessary wedding in a hotel downtown. It isn’t happening.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll have her call you the minute she says yes. I hope she says yes.” I chuckled as Mark gave me an incredulous look.
“She will, Zek. Just make sure you’re willing to take care of her. She means the world to all of us.” Her mother’s voice softened and I could tell that she was close to tears.
“I will. She’ll be my first priority from here on out. I’ll be in touch, and thank you.” I hung up after we said our goodbyes and let out a long sigh. “They’re good with it. That part is done.”
“Now, tell me how you’re going to do it. Where are you going to propose?” Mark nodded toward the exit and moved that way as I joined him.
“I want something simple. Intimate.”
“A restaurant? A private balcony? Are you thinking of renting out a penthouse?” He opened the door and moved out into the late afternoon warmth.
“No. I think that’s the kind of guy I was back then, but I’m thinking on the back patio at the house. I want to put up some lights and make it special. You got a few hours you can lend me?” I pulled my keys out of my pocket as we walked to the car.
“You bet. I’m not supposed to be home until five or six. Lizzy has been a bit of a wreck lately from everything going on at Dellup, but I know she’s ready to work with Alisa on filing a suit against the firm. We have our finances in order for her to take off a few months. Today she’ll be putting in her notice. I need to be home when she gets there in case she needs me.”
“Alright. This shouldn’t take long.” I got in the car and pulled out my phone, texting Alisa to meet me at the house at six, but not a minute before. I wanted her to know that I had a surprise for her, but didn’t say much more than that.
She called immediately, but I let it go to voice mail as I turned the car out of the busy parking lot and headed for the house. Tonight was the night I would hit my knee for the only woman I could truly see myself spending forever with.
Now I only had to hope like hell that she felt the same for me as I felt for her. The truth of the matter couldn’t be denied though. Any woman willing to put up with the shit my life had slung at us for the last few years was completely committed and beyond willing to love me for the rest of my days.
I was glad it was her, though it always had been.
CHAPTER 8
Alisa
Zek’s text was a little unnerving, but I tried not to let it bother me too much. I loved surprises and always had. Whatever he was up to, I was just thrilled that he was doing better. The time at the lake had been just what the doctor ordered. A peace had settled over me while we were up there, and I was still clinging tightly to it.
After having a quick lunch at my brother’s house, I made my way to downtown and parked in the garage that belonged to Dellup. I wasn’t interested in going up to see anyone, but I was hoping that Lizzy would come down to talk.
I’d done a lot of thinking over our mini-vacation, and I was ready to step in and help her get out of the firm and subsequently start our own. It was a big step, a scary one, but the excitement pumping through me let me know that I was on the right track. It was simply time to take a hold of my career and do something with it.
I walked to the coffee shop just beside the tall skyscraper that was supposed to have held my future. I pulled my phone from my pocket and searched for her number. After texting her to come down, I grabbed two coffees and a plate of various cookies. I found the most intimate table near the back of the busy shop and sat down as a smile lifted my lips.
“What are you up to, Zek Kellington?” I pulled out my phone and scanned through his message again. Be at his house by six and wear something comfortable, but pretty. What a request. We wouldn’t be going out from what I could tell, or he would have instructed me to wear something fit for a restaurant or a night on the town.
“What has you smiling like that?” Lizzy dropped down into the chair across from me with a loud sigh. “Zek no doubt?”
“It’s always Zek.” I slid her coffee across the table to her. “This is for you. I thought you might need it.”
“I do.” She picked up a chocolate chip cookie and took a huge bite before lifting the treat in the air. “I need this too.”
I chuckled. “That bad? Tell me what’s going on. Catch me up.”
She nodded and finished chewing before settling back with her coffee cup nestled between her hands. “I put in my notice today.”
“What? You did not.” Excitement pulsed through me and I leaned forward. Leaving Dellup had been a nightmare for me as well. Ronnie and the other partners in the firm hadn’t been very kind, and yet there was little they could do to stop me. The fact that I didn’t file my own lawsuit after telling the bastards about Dillon and having them do nothing about it was a miracle. One they should be grateful for. “How did they handle it? Were they surprised? Pissed?”
“All the above. It didn’t go well at all, but you know why.” She shrugged and took a quick sip of her coffee. “Ronnie made sure to threaten me against talking about the situation with the Ketchum case. I just nodded and played the part of a weary, overworked lawyer.”
“Wow. He has some serious balls, does he not?” I broke
a piece of a sugar cookie off and popped it in my mouth. “We need to move fast, but you know that, right?”
“Yes. I’m ready. I’ve been gathering the evidence to prove that he offered me the deal to throw the Ketchum case. I have all of it in a safe deposit box at home. Do you want to take the case, or just sit as part of my legal counsel team?” She took another bite of her cookie, and I felt the heaviness sitting on her. The dark circles under her piercing gaze didn’t fit her at all. Nor did the weary expression on her face.
“I’m taking the case, unless you had someone else in mind.” I watched her intently, trying to make sure she realized that if anyone was a good fit to defend her, it was me. Not only was I still thought of as one of the top defense attorneys in the city, but I cared about her. She was like family to me, would officially be sooner than later, or so I hoped.
“No. I want you to represent me, but with us talking about starting a new firm, I just wasn’t sure if you wanted to have our names both splashed all over the media. You know they’re going to go crazy over this. It will cause Dellup to go under a full-blown investigation, and part of that will open up the files on Dillon Starling too.” She let out a short sigh and shook her head. “I just don’t want you or Zek to have to relive anything you’ve already closed the door on.”
“We’re both good. Healed.” I nodded and took another drink of my coffee before setting it down. “We’ll work on the case next week, and once that’s all cleared up, we’ll open our firm. Now… tell me if you know what surprise Zek has up his sleeve.”
Her eyebrow lifted as a smile played at the edge of her lips. “A surprise? I haven’t heard anything about it. I can text Mark and find out if you want me to.”
I thought about it for a minute before discarding my desire to unravel the suspense. Half the fun was walking into the unknown and having no clue what to expect. The fact that Zek was up to something left me feeling adored and important.
“No. I’m good. I’ll call you later and fill you in on what happens.” I smiled and shifted the conversation to the latest court cases I’d seen on CNN earlier that morning. If there was one thing attorneys enjoyed talking about, it was the business.
Especially when it got ugly.
*
After leaving Lizzy, I drove back to Clark’s place and changed into a soft white dress and strapped sandals onto my feet. I didn’t wear any makeup, and I left my hair down the way Zek liked it best. I had no clue what to expect, but by the time I reached his house, I was a bundle of nerves.
He met me at the door wearing a button down shirt and dark jeans. His brown hair was a little disheveled, and his feet were bare. I stood there for a minute, just taking him in before he laughed and pulled me into a tight hug.
“We just saw each other this morning, and yet I’ve been longing for you since I dropped you off. I think we should see a doctor, don’t you?” He brushed his nose by mine.
“Nope. There isn’t any known medication that will help your condition, other than me.” I lifted to my toes and kissed him softly. “What’s going on? This idea of a surprise is driving me nuts.”
“Oh yeah? I like you being edgy because of me.” He moved into the house and closed the door behind us. “I made us dinner, and then I thought you might like to have a glass of wine out on the patio with me. It feels too good outside not to fully enjoy the evening out there.”
I walked into the kitchen and breathed in deeply as the smell of garlic and tomatoes rolled across my senses. “It smells so good in here, Zek.”
“Good. Now, be careful not to get your pretty dress dirty, but help me plate up our dinner. I tried a new recipe, and Mark helped. God forbid I don’t mention that my older brother helped out.” He smirked and handed me a plate.
“Where is he? Is he joining us for dinner?” I glanced around as Zek shook his head.
“No, and don’t tell Lizzy that he can cook. He said it would wreck his needy image and the whole world might stop then.” Zek laughed and brushed his hands over my lower back as his eyes moved along me. “You look incredible. I have no idea how you do it, but I’ve completely stopped thinking about dinner and moved to wanting another night wrapped in your arms. We can heat this up later?”
I finished making my salad and turned to press my hand to his strong chest as I moved up to kiss him. There was nothing like the feel of him under my hands. He was perfect, and I wasn’t nearly deserving of his attention, not that I would deem any woman to be though. “No, mister. Let’s eat and then we’ll spend time together. Besides, I want every night in your arms, and I usually get what I want.”
“Yes, you do. That’s the plan.” He squeezed my rear softly before moving back. “Get your food and let’s eat together. You can tell me what you did today, and then we’ll go lounge out back.”
I nodded and turned back to continue to fix my plate. I wanted to question why making dinner for me would be considered a surprise, but I let it go. He’d obviously worked hard to make the night special, and moving through the motions would be my response. Anticipation bubbled up inside of me, but I shoved it back down and took a seat at the table he had set up for us.
A bottle of wine sat beside a large vase of roses, and the place settings were beautiful. He had invested in making every detail perfect. Nervousness raced through my center as I glanced over at him.
“What’s the matter, baby?” He reached out and touched my hand. “You look like something is wrong.”
“No, I’m just waiting for the surprise part. It’s driving me nuts thinking that something or a group of someones are hiding around the corner.” I tried to laugh, but the sound fell flat. “But… I love surprises, so let’s talk about something else, and I’ll hush.”
“What if the dinner is the surprise?” He lifted his eyebrow sharply.
“Then I’m good. I love it.” I glanced down at my plate as my stomach growled loudly. “And I’m thinking I need it.”
*
Dinner was delicious, but by the time he took my hand and led me to the backyard, I was a hot mess. The thought of him proposing had brushed by my thoughts a hundred times over the course of the afternoon and evening. I wanted to be his bride so damn bad, and yet I wasn’t the type of girl to open up the conversation more than once or twice. I figured it was ultimately his job to make the decision that it was time. No way was I dragging him to the altar.
The twinkling of the lights on the porch surprised me a little as I approached them, and the soft music playing stilled my heart.
“Oh, Zek. This is beautiful.” I walked out onto the deck and took in just how much effort he’d put into making the night perfect.
“Good. I wanted you to have a night with me that really spoke to us.” He wrapped his arms around me from behind and rested his chin on top of my head. “I thought something simple like this would bring us back to our younger years. I know we’re wealthy and have been relatively successful, but that’s all part of what we do, not who we are. This right here… this is who I am. This is what you fell in love with.”
Tears burned my eyes as I turned in his arms. “I love you because of this part of you right here. This is who I am too.”
“I know it is, baby. I love you more than words can express.” He moved back from me and changed the song on the radio to one of my favorites from when we were back in high school. “You remember this?”
I laughed and pressed my hands to my face. “How could I forget? You taught me to dance my ninth grade year in my bedroom. Remember that night my dad almost caught us in there together? You couldn’t stop hyperventilating in my closet. I honestly thought you were going to pass out.”
“Fuck. How could I forget? I didn’t think I was going to live to tell about that one.” He offered me his hand. “Dance with me again tonight like we did back then.”
“As long as you promise that this night will end differently than that one did.” I gave him a cheeky grin and moved into the warmth of his strong hold.
; “You let me touch your tits that night. Why would I want tonight to end any different?” He laughed deep in his chest as I swatted at him playfully.
“You’re honestly not right. Not in the slightest.” I moved closer and wrapped my arms around his neck. “But I love you all the same. Did you know that?”
“That you love me?” He brushed his nose up my jawline to my ear, kissing me softly and sending tendrils of pleasure through my center.
“Yes. More than any woman should love a man.” I brushed my lips with his. “Too much?”
“No. Never too much.” He licked at my lips before kissing me softly and then harder.
I leaned into the kiss, not thinking that we’d be dancing for much longer. I needed to feel him against me far too badly.
“I love you more, baby.” He nipped at my lips playfully before moving back. “Tomorrow I want to go visit your parents, okay? Breakfast here and then let’s head out there. Get Clark and Cathy to come too. I haven’t met Clark’s kids yet, but I need to. I want to.”
“Oh. Wanting to get involved with the family? This sounds serious.” I teased him as he kissed me once more and moved back.
“It is serious. I’ve been standing next to the woman who was meant for me most of my life and thinking I could never measure up. You sticking it out with me this last few years taught me something important, Alisa.” He touched the side of my face as my eyes filled with tears. I’d never seen him so raw, so open, so vulnerable.
“What’s that, baby?” I pressed my hand over his, loving the way he watched me, like I might be nothing more than a dream.
“That it’s not about deserving each other, but accepting our faults, and learning to grow to be whoever we’re supposed to be because of the love we’ve found within the other.” He sank down to one knee and pulled a black box from his pocket as my heart almost stopped in my chest.