by Marie Cole
"Oh, God, I'm sorry. I'll come back later," I took one step back. His eyes flashed with fear and he grabbed my wrist and pulled me inside. He smelled like Irish Spring. My eyelids fluttered, trying not to get lost in it.
"Now is fine. Let me just get dressed, I'll be right back."
He took one step away before I grabbed onto his wrist. "Wait. Here." I tucked the box into his open palm and then took a step back. I couldn't tear my eyes away from his gorgeous face.
First it was puckered with confusion but slowly it transformed into shock, his mouth going slack. His eyes met mine and raised in question. "Is this a prank or something? Because I was serious about what I said."
I nodded. "I know. It's not a prank."
He was back to his confused state, his brows furrowing. "But I don't understand. What changed your mind? Just hours ago you said--"
I cut him off, "I know exactly what I said, Kent. I found something that proved that you were telling the truth."
"What did you find?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
"A receipt."
"Ah, hell, Elly! You aren't supposed to know how much it cost. I have to take it back now." He turned away and stomped off towards his room with all the grace of a moody teenage boy.
"Kent!" I stayed where I was, though. I didn't dare follow after him in his current state of dress, or undress, as it happened to be. I sighed, my thighs clenching as I envisioned what he was doing back there. Did he want me to leave? Was he taking his proposal back now? I was about to sit down on his couch and wait when he stormed back out to the living room. He was dressed to go out. His hair mussed by the towel and his fingers. "Kent?" I asked as I watched him grab his wallet and his keys. "Do you want me to leave?"
"No. We're going to the jewelry store and they close in forty five minutes so we have to hurry."
It was my turn to frown. "What? We're not going to the jewelry store."
"Yes, we are. You know how much I paid for that ring."
"So?" I laughing because I had no idea how else to react. He was being crazy.
"So you weren't supposed to know,” he insisted.
"Kent. You're being ridiculous."
"I'm not. Let's go,” he commanded as he stepped towards his front door.
I followed him but with trepidation. I didn't want him to take the ring back. I loved it. We were silent as we drove. I wasn't paying attention as buildings passed by. My mind was stuck on Kent.
Were his feelings hurt? Had I hurt him? Was he changing his mind? Was this just an excuse to take the ring back and fall back on what he'd said to me? My mind was spinning when the car finally stopped.
I glanced around at our surroundings. We were not in front of a jewelry store. We were at Bella Noches. I was still staring when my car door opened and he reached in and grabbed my hand, helping me out.
"Come on, Elly. I've been waiting to do this for years."
My feet moved as he led me but my mind was still stuck in his car. Bella Noches. I hadn't thought about it for ages. My worst fears were realized here. My heart was pounding in my chest as I caught up with him, my mind firmly back in its rightful place.
"Dinner for two, please," he said to the hostess. As I stared on he reached for his wallet and pulled out some cash. He held it out to her and she nodded before turning away.
"Just a moment, please," she said.
Kent didn't look at me, his hand was still firmly holding mine, as if he didn't want to let me go. Or he didn't want me to run away from him. I had to admit I was tempted.
The hostess returned moments later and showed us to a private table near the back of the restaurant. It was set between the fireplace and a half wall that was topped with decorative glass. She set the menus down, murmured the server's name and then disappeared.
Kent pulled a chair out for me and took his place across from me after I'd sat down. The hard angles of his face showed in the dancing firelight.
"Are you alright?" he asked, a devilish grin on his lips.
All I could do was nod as I turned my attention back to my menu. The smart ass in me came out. "This is the weirdest jewelry store I've ever been to, by the way."
Kent chuckled as he set his menu down. I felt his eyes on me and after I'd settled on what I was going to eat I set my menu down as well. "So what is it going to be, Ms. Palmer?"
"I heard the chicken parmesan was to die for."
He smiled, his eyes dropped to the table for a moment before meeting mine. I felt myself melting in his gaze. "Those were not the words I used."
"I never said they were," I said as I grinned at him. "What are you going to have?"
"Oh, I'm not hungry. I'm just going to have a salad."
I kicked him playfully under the table at his teasing but he had done it. I was easing into this evening and whatever he'd had planned for it. When I glanced up he was smiling at me, something wistful in his eyes.
"So," I said, clearing my throat, "what are we doing here?"
"We're having dinner."
"Clearly. But why?"
He glanced at me, an accusing expression there. "Elly, can you just be patient?"
I scoffed and sat back in my seat. Something about that put a spur in my boot. Had he really just said that to me? Be patient? I'd been patient for decades!
"Yeah, sorry. I can't. I can't do this." All of my emotions came to a boiling head. All the years of being put on the back burner while he explored himself and Jen. And now he was finally ready. But was I? I hadn't even stopped to really think about whether or not I was really wanting to be married. He bought me a ring on my birthday and everything came crashing down. He had forced my hand and stirred up all of those emotions. He was telling me to jump and I was begging him to tell me how high.
I stood up from the table but his hand on my wrist stopped me from walking away.
"Elly. Where are you going?"
I met his confused eyes and shrugged my shoulders.
"I don't know but my patience has run out, Kent. Especially where you are concerned."
He fell to his knees, grasping my hand in both of his. I glanced around the restaurant to see if people were staring. They were. How could they not stare at the desperate man who was grasping onto me?
"Elly, I'm sorry. That was crass and inappropriate. I just wanted this to be right. I didn't want to get down on my knees in my house. It took everything I had in me to keep it together until I could take us somewhere that meant something to us. I should have asked you in the eighth grade to go out with me. I should have asked you on your birthday when I'd taken you here. Or at least made out with you when we were alone together in my room right after. But I was a scared, dumb kid." He still held my hand tightly as he shifted, getting to one knee, his other hand pulled the ring box from his pocket. "I love you. I always have and I always will. Elly Marie Palmer…"
I held my breath as I stared back at him. No one else mattered at this moment. This was our moment. Finally. I felt the unwanted tears in my eyes. I didn't want to be one of those emotional women who couldn't control themselves but I couldn't help it.
Slowly he opened the ring box and presented it to me. "…will you marry me?" he asked. His hands were trembling and I saw the fear popping out on his brow in the form of moisture.
I sniffled as my mind raced to find the right thing to say. Here he was in front of me, finally. He was everything I'd ever wanted, flaws and all. We were together, we had the chance to be happy. Was I going to throw it all away because I was angry with him for taking so long to realize what I'd known for a long time? Rarely in life does a person get a third chance. But Kent was my best friend and the man I'd loved since I knew what the emotion meant. I would give him one hundred chances if that was what it took. I was stupid for him.
And suddenly the word came to me. "Yes."
It took him a moment to comprehend it but when he finally did he grinned and slipped the ring on my finger. It twinkled even brighter in the restaurant lighting. H
e got up to his feet and wrapped his arms around me. I closed my eyes and savored it. It had taken fifteen years but I was finally home.
Also by Marie Cole
Northern University Series
Ellyphant [Book 1]
Unrequited [Book 2}
Epiphany [Book 3]
Elly & Kent: The Complete Story [Books 1-3]
Elly & Kent: Christmas Special Coming 2016
Unattainable [Rio & Stacy] Coming 2016
Other Titles
Crushed
Taming the Viking
About the Author
Marie Cole wears many hats. On any given day these can include: chef, baker, babysitter, maid, home improvement specialist, project manager, taxi driver, doctor, nurse, nutritionist, author, actor, musician, child entertainer, professional shopper, organizer, and of course, author. She spent six years as an Army spouse and before that she taught middle school. She now resides in Georgia with her husband, two daughters, and two cats.
For more information
@mariecolebooks
MarieColeBooks
www.mariecolebooks.com
[email protected]
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