Holding her close, I whispered, “I’ve got you, Soph.”
She buried her face in my chest and sobbed.
“I can’t lose her. She’s all I have.”
“You have me. Always. Come on, let’s get to the hospital. I bet by the time we arrive, Nonnina will be running the place.”
With my arms wrapped tightly around her, I led Sophie to my car. Before pulling out of the parking lot of the assisted living center, I reached over and took Sophie’s hand in mine. A warm sensation ran through my body as she let me take care of her.
I stayed close on the tail of the ambulance Nonnina was in, pulling up right next to it once we arrived at the hospital. Sophie and I quickly got out of the car and watched as they rolled her grandmother from the back of the emergency vehicle. Sophie trembled in my arms as Nonnina vanished behind the doors of the ER. I moved us forward all the way into the nurses station where a middle-aged man sat with dark-rimmed glasses.
“Hi, our grandmother was just brought in, Gia Cipriano,” I said.
He gave us a weak smile and shoved a clipboard full of paperwork at me. “If you would, please fill this out and bring it back here when finished along with any insurance information.”
I took the paperwork. “We’ll be right over there, so get us the second the doctors know what’s wrong.”
“Sir, your grandmother is in good hands.”
“She better be in the greatest hands of all time,” I said.
Sophie and I sat in a long bank of chairs against the wall. Our hands were still intertwined. I didn’t want to let go, but there was paperwork to be filled out.
“Soph, you want me to fill this out?”
She looked at me with dazed watery eyes and slowly nodded.
“Okay, you answer the questions and I’ll write in the answers.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“My pleasure. I’ll need my hand, though.”
She looked down in surprise, like she hadn’t realized we’d been attached since the assisted living center. She hesitated, not wanting to break our bound. Neither did I. Taking her hand, I placed it so she’d be hugging my arm.
We answered each sheet of questions. Every time there was even the slightest sound, both our heads popped up and looked at the double doors Nonnina was behind. Once the papers were all filled out, I returned them to the nurse, then rushed back to Sophie’s side.
Wrapping my arm around her waist, I brought her close to my side, using the other hand to hold her trembling ones.
“I don’t understand, we were with her a few minutes earlier. She seemed fine to me. Did she seem fine to you?” Her voice cracked on every other word.
“I thought she was good. She was quieter than usual, but with Millie and Vivian, it’s tough to get a word in.”
We were silent for several minutes. I hated that she was scared and hurting. If I could, I’d take all of it away and put it on myself.
“I’m not delusional,” she said. “I realize no one lives forever. I can’t bear the thought of living without Nonnina. She and my grandfather were the only ones who ever wanted me around.”
I placed a kiss at her temple, then whispered, “I want you around… for the rest of my life.”
She leaned away enough to look up at me. I let her hold my gaze for as long as she needed to.
Sophie swallowed hard and licked her lips. “You’re really serious about that, aren’t you?”
“Believe me, I’m as surprised as anyone. But I’m not scared. Soph, every time I look at you, I know I’m meant to be by your side.”
“Doug, I lo…”
“Miss Cipriano?” A deep voice called out.
Sophie and I bolted out of our chairs and power walked across the room, meeting the doctor in the middle. I stood behind Sophie with my hands on her shoulders, there to catch her if the news wasn’t good.
“How’s my grandmother?”
“Your grandmother is resting comfortably.”
“What’s wrong with her?” Bracing herself, Sophie’s shoulders pressed into the palms of my hands.
“Heartburn,” the doctor said.
In unison, we both said, “Heartburn?”
“While examining Mrs. Cipriano, I asked what she had ingested today. After hearing the laundry list of foods and seeing no other indications, it was determined she was suffering from a bad case of indigestion.”
“So she’s going to be okay?” Sophie said.
“Absolutely. She’s got a lot of spunk still left in her.”
My body relaxed along with Sophie’s.
“That spunk runs in the family,” I said.
“I’m going to write her a prescription for some medicine that should take care of her overindulgence. Then she’ll be good for discharge.”
I extended my hand and shook the doctor’s hand. “Thank you, doctor.”
Sophie and I watched as the doctor disappeared back behind the large double doors. Sophie turned to face me. Her arms swung around my neck as mine snaked around her waist. Relief settled in both our bodies.
Sophie lifted her head, looked at me, and without hesitation said, “I love you and I’ve been miserable without you. But…”
I put my finger over her lips. “No more big buts. I love you, Soph. You’re everything I didn’t know I wanted in life.”
“I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.”
“The only way I’ll get hurt is if you walk away from us.”
“Wow, when did you become so swoon-worthy?” she said.
“The day I fell in love with you, Soph.”
THE END
“LOOK AT YOU smiling,” Bryson said with a cheesy grin spread across her face.
“Bryson, we’ve known each other since childhood, you’ve seen me smile before.”
“But not like this.”
“Like what?”
“I’ve never seen you smile the smile of love.”
I didn’t hide my eye roll, but I also didn’t stop smiling. Ever since Doug demolished my walls, life had reached a new level of wonderfulness. The sky was bluer, the flowers were brighter, and the intense love I had for him got stronger with each day. The only drawback to being this much in love was, I almost always sounded like a lovey-dovey Hallmark card. Thankfully, no one teased me about it. Much.
I looked at my best friend, who was still staring and grinning. Memories of our lives together flashed in my mind like snapshots. Bryson always had my back, whether she agreed with me or not. All these years, she gave me unconditional friendship and love. Because of her I found something I had given up on so many years ago. The love of my life. I could feel tears behind my eyes beginning to rise.
Placing my hand on Bryson’s, I said, “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being in my life. And for showing me that happily ever afters do exist.”
She blinked and sniffled. “I’m bursting with happiness for you.”
Hart and Doug appeared at the table just in time to put the kibosh on the blubberfest. I delicately patted underneath my eyes with the crisp white napkin, careful not to smear my makeup.
“Hey, Soph, get a load of this. It’s for the photo booth,” Doug said.
I looked up at the man I loved, sporting a bushy fake beard, dark-rimmed glasses, and a black top hat. I shook my head, rolled my eyes, and kept smiling.
“You gotta admit, it’s a look,” Hart said.
I opened my mouth to respond but was interrupted when the announcement came over the speakers.
“And now ladies and gentlemen we would like to bring out our newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas MacArthur Truman, to dance their first dance as husband and wife. Let’s give them a hand,” the DJ said, as the beginning of “At Last” by Etta James filled the ballroom.
“Sorry, guys, I gotta steal my bride. Wife, I believe we are being called to the dance floor.”
I slipped my hand into my groom’s extended one and stood.
“Husband, I believ
e we are, but first take off the silly disguise.”
He tossed the beard, glasses, and hat on the table.
“Better, Mrs. Truman?”
“Perfect, Mr. Truman.”
As Doug and I stepped away, I glanced over my shoulder to where Bryson and Hart were, and said, “Aren’t we sickening?” My face was all scrunched up with a big smile.
Doug led me to the middle of the dance floor. He brought our joined hands up between us, while slipping his arm around my waist. I was pressed against him so tightly, it was a little hard to breathe. But I didn’t mind. I was right where I wanted to be for the rest of my life.
As we swayed to our song, Doug looked deep into my eyes and said, “Have I told you how beautiful you are today?”
“Only about a thousand times.”
“I’m running behind,” he smirked. “This flouncy white dress is… Wow, except for one thing. It’s hiding that tasty neck of yours.”
“That’s because it’s a high-neck halter. I’m still giving you shoulder.”
He gave me a soft kiss on the lips, then worked his way down to my jaw, ending at my ear.
“How about we go find our maintenance closet and have a reenactment. Minus the puking, of course.”
His hand slid down, almost touching my ass.
My fingers started to fiddle with the hair on the back of his head. I kept reminding myself we were not alone before I sunk my fingers deeper.
My eyelids fluttered as I whispered, “Doug, we can’t leave yet.”
“It’s our wedding. We can leave whenever we’re ready. And believe me, I’m so ready, Soph.”
I could feel how ready he was, which only served to rev me up more than I was already.
“Doug, we need to cool it. People are watching. Nonnina is watching.”
“No, she’s not. She’s parked over at the bar flirting with the bartender.”
As the music drifted to an end, Doug broke away from me, and jogged over to the DJ.
He grabbed the mic and announced, “Hey, everyone, Sophie and I want to thank you all for coming. We have to step out for just a little while. Don’t worry, nothing’s wrong. Keep the party going—eat, drink, dance. We’ll be back in twenty minutes to an hour and fifteen seconds.” He winked at me. “It’s hard to tell at the moment.”
Doug dropped the mic and jogged back to me. Without breaking stride, he grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the ballroom. The sound of spoons clinking against glass and laughter ushered us away. “Crazy In Love” by Beyoncé faded into the background the farther we got down the dimly lit hallway.
Giggling, I said, “Doug, I can’t run in these heels.”
Stopping, I was about to slip out of my stilettos when Doug scooped me into his arms, carrying me the rest of the way. Once we got to our destination, Doug put me down, and flung open the door. The closet looked exactly the same—fluorescent lighting, metal shelves, and the aroma of cleaning solution.
I spun around and pushed my husband against the door. Grabbing the lapels of his tuxedo jacket, I yanked it off of his shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. As I was unbuckling his belt, Doug’s hands were fumbling with my dress, trying to find the bottom amongst all the chiffon.
“Oh, baby girl—.”
I froze and looked up at him. “What did you just call me?”
Doug’s hands came to a halt. “It’s a nickname I’m trying out. Baby girl. And I thought you could call me big daddy.”
“That’s all kinds of gross and not happening,” I said.
“Okay, you don’t have to call me big daddy.”
“I won’t be. Not that I need your permission whether or not to call you that. Which I’m not.”
“I wasn’t giving you anything.”
“Well, it sounded like it.”
“So it’s a no go on baby girl too?” he said with disappointment in his voice.
“I’m a woman, not a girl.”
His eyebrows crinkled together. “You want me to call you baby woman?”
Doug looked so damn adorable in his confusion, I couldn’t help the smile from spreading across my face.
I let the palm of my hand slip down over his zipper.
Gently applying pressure, I leaned in and whispered, “How about we call each other mine.”
He swallowed hard. “So you’re mine?”
“And you’re mine,” I said pushing against him a little more.
“I’m totally on board with that.”
Our lips connected. It didn’t take long for the kiss to become deep and devouring. I pulled down Doug’s zipper as he found the bottom of my dress after wading through all the material. His hand traveled up my inner thigh sending chills throughout my body. I couldn’t wait any longer to have him inside me. Suddenly, Doug’s lips left mine.
“How about Cappy and first mate?” he said.
I looked at him in astonishment before laughter flew out of my mouth. “You’re crazy!”
“You’re sexy when you laugh. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life making you happy, Soph.”
“I love you so much, Doug.”
As I stared into his bright green eyes, a thought occurred to me. Maybe all that Cinderella stuff we’re told as children wasn’t entirely crap. Our love story may not have resembled the movie version. But right here, in this maintenance closet with Doug’s hand up my dress and mine in his pants, I know I found my prince and my happily ever after.
This is really THE END.
I hope Doug and Sophie’s love story made you laugh and brightened your day.
THANK YOU TO my family, who instilled and cultivated my sense of humor. From the silly to the sarcastic, they’ve been a huge inspiration.
To my readers, it’s been two years since I published a book. Authors, especially indie authors, have this fear, if you don’t publish a book every few months readers will forget you. Thank you for hanging in there with me. You’ve kept my name out there. Your encouragement made Crazy Sexy Love possible.
Thank you to all the bloggers who have supported me over the past five years. It still amazes me how selfless and generous you are. Taking the time to spread the word about my books. I love your passion for books and your commitment to share with other readers.
Benedetta Cipriano, the best thing about Present Perfect being released in Italy two years ago, is I found a new dear friend. You are as beautiful inside as you are outside. For helping me with the Italian language, for being a light in the world, and for being my sweet friend, I say, Grazie mille, bella!
Christine Estevez, I absolutely loved working with you on this book. It felt like a true collaboration. Angela McLaurin, my fellow night owl. What can I say, chick? You’ve been there from the beginning looking out for me. I can’t imagine publishing without you on my team. Murphy Rae Hopkins, you always match the cover perfectly with the feel of the book. Thank you for my fun and flirty cover this time around.
And to all the sitcoms I watched, from Mary Tyler Moore to Curb Your Enthusiasm, thank you for hours of laughter and inspiration.
ALISON G. BAILEY IS AN award winning, Amazon and International bestselling author living in Charleston, South Carolina. At an early age she fell in love with writing, reworking scenes from her favorite TV shows and movies with new dialogue. Alison wrote and produced several stage plays before turning her sights on the book world.
Under the influence of a copious amount of Diet Pepsi and nonstop listening to her Spotify playlists, Alison writes unique emotional stories full of love, laughter, and romance.
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Present Perfect (Book #1, The Perfect Series)
Past Imperfect (Book #2, The Perfect Series)
Presently Perfect (Book #3, The Perfect Series)
Stop! (Standalone)
The Dance (Standalone)
In the Moment (Novella)
Crazy Sexy Love Page 22