Just Go
Page 25
This is exactly what I need.
He is exactly what I need.
Epilogue
Four months later
“Gabby, which dress?” I ask holding three dresses up in front of her.
I’m back in Chicago for Spring Break and can’t wait to see Adam. The last four months I’ve been able to see him more than expected, but it’s still been a week since we’ve been together and I’m itching to see him again. Tonight he has dinner planned for us at some fancy restaurant that only he’d be able to get reservations at and I can’t decide which dress to wear.
Gabby sighs and smiles from the couch, “You know he’s going to love all of those. Especially when he rips it off of you.” She laughs and smiles, “So wear the one you’re least fond of.”
“Funny. Don’t be jealous,” I warn as I choose the light blue one and nude heels.
“I’m not jealous at all, actually. I have my own fun,” she says, not making eye contact with me as she picks at her nails.
I worry about her being alone. She puts on a tough act like she doesn’t have a care in the world, but I can see past the façade. I wish she’d find someone. Man or woman, I don’t care, but she needs someone.
“What time’s he picking you up?” she asks.
“In about a half hour. Wanna help with my hair?” I grin, knowing she can’t turn down making me look girly for a night.
By the time the knock comes on the door, I smile and she laughs.
“You’re hopeless, Annie. I’m so happy for you,” she says then hugs me and heads back to her room.
I open the door and see him waiting, relaxed, hands in his pocket. When his eyes rake over my body, I get chills and immediately feel the warmth between my legs. It’s been a week since I last saw him and enjoyed him in St. Louis, but it feels like forever when he looks at me like that.
“You look beautiful,” he says, then takes my face in his hands and kisses me gently. “Missed you,” he whispers, his lips still on mine.
“Mmm,” I manage. As much as I want to pull him inside the apartment, Gabby’s new one bedroom apartment doesn’t leave much privacy and I’m not sure she’d appreciate that.
“Come on. We have reservations, and if we keep this up, I’m going to devour you right here in the hallway,” he growls, then walks me outside as we start down the sidewalk.
I feel every tickle of the wind, every ray of the sunshine while walking down the sidewalk hand in hand with Adam. My senses are finally alive again, because I’ve opened up my heart to the man I love. Being with him makes every part of me more alert. We approach the white limo and smile.
“New driving service, huh?”
He nods sadly, giving me a look like he knows how I feel about his relationship with my father. I’ve gotten over it through the months, but I still don’t like to be reminded of their past. He also knows it’s been months since I’ve spoken to my father, which hurts so much I can’t think about it without tearing up. He was my world, until it all came crashing down.
“No reason to keep up with a cheating, lying business.”
“That’s the truth.” I take his hand when we’re in the backseat and we spend the short drive to the restaurant in comfortable silence.
When the car stops in front of a sky rise apartment building I look over at Adam confused. He’s grinning at me, and when the door opens, he slides out and holds his hand out for me without a word. I take it, feeling my heartbeat quicken.
“What’s going on, Adam?” I ask as we walk into the building and head towards the elevators.
“Just wait, my Sweet,” he says. I can feel the nerves running through him, and as a result my nerves skyrocket.
What’s he got up his sleeve?
We ride the elevator to the top floor, and when the doors open, I gasp at the sight.
Pink and red rose petals decorate a path out of the elevator and on to a rooftop veranda. Gabby is leaning against the banister, a smile pasted on her face and a drink in hand. My mother stands next to her, talking with another older woman who I assume is Adam’s mother due to their striking resemblance. Benton’s in the corner of the patio, alone, and when he realizes we’ve arrived his eyes flick from Gabby’s area, to us, then back to her. Adam’s sister is here, talking to Gabby while Adam’s father is sitting at a bar to the left.
“What is this?” I whisper as he slowly takes my hand and guides me to the outdoor patio, fully adorned with candles and rose petals everywhere. A table sits in the middle of the patio, fully set and covered trays with what I’m assuming is our dinner awaits us. He lets me walk ahead and look out from the edge, overlooking the beautiful city that I love. I turn to speak and gasp when I see him down on one knee.
Oh. My. God.
“Adam,” I whisper, my hand goes to my mouth, unable to form any words through the threatening tears.
“Annaliese Ryder, I love you. More than anything. You’ve taken so many chances on me, most of which I didn’t deserve, but you did it anyway. We’ve been through more than most couples ever go through, and I’m so proud of you. For everything. You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever had the chance of knowing.” He stands and walks over to me, a small black velvet box in hand. The tears that have formed in my eyes are now spilling down my cheeks. “You’ve taken chances on me, and I’m eternally grateful for that. I’m asking you now to take one final chance on me.” He pauses and opens the box to reveal a gorgeous rose gold diamond ring twinkling from the patio lights above making it shine brightly. “Annaliese Ryder, will you grace me with your love and laughter for the rest of your life? Give me all of your morning hugs and goodnight kisses, my Sweet,” he pauses, “Marry me, Annaliese. Make me the happiest man in Chicago. The happiest damn man in the world.”
“Oh my God, Adam,” I gasp reaching out with shaky hands for him. I take his face and kiss him. Like I can never get enough, because I can’t. “You’re… this….” I’m speechless.
“So….” He grins and I realize I haven’t given him an answer.
“Yes!! Oh my God, Yes!” I yell, and he releases his breath and smiles.
“You had me scared there for a minute.” He laughs then pulls the ring from the box.
Sliding it on, it fits perfectly and I giggle, watching it sparkle in the lights.
“It’s perfect, Adam,” I whisper, then wrap my arms around him, kissing him again.
“I love you, Annaliese. I’ll spend the rest of my life showing you how much,” he whispers and hugs me tightly.
We make our rounds, accepting the congratulatory hugs and smiles. The ring is huge, nothing short of perfect from Mr. Chicago. I’ve come to accept the fact that women will never stop throwing themselves at his feet, but I trust him. I know he’s only got eyes for me.
“Soo… were you surprised?” Gabby asks as I take a champagne flute off a waiter’s tray.
“Absolutely. I mean, we’ve talked about it. I know I’ll be moving back up here at the end of the school year, but this…. This is perfect,” I smile holding back tears that my father isn’t here for me. “He got everyone important together for me.”
“Speaking of important people,” Adam clears his throat as he walks up to Gabby and I. “This man right here is one of the key factors on this whole ordeal.” He slaps Benton’s back and smiles.
“Benton James. Nice to meet you again, Gabby,” he looks past me and straight to Gabby. I turn to look at her, confused, but the crimson tint to her cheeks tells me everything I need to know. I leave the two of them, taking Adam’s hand in mine, giving those two a little time to themselves.
We stop at the banister overlooking the city, and I take a deep breath. This city is mine, I just needed to take it.
“Thank you for taking a chance on me.”
“You mean multiple chances?” I grin and he laughs.
“Yes… multiple chances.”
Sometimes, all you need to do is take a chance. Or three.
THE END
Other wor
ks by M. Dauphin
Read Adam and Annaliese’s first night in the Suits and Shades Anthology: http://amzn.to/1MAwD26
Fight Series
Fight 1: http://amzn.to/1Gf0zIi
Fight 2: http://amzn.to/1DY1cYc
Fight 3: http://amzn.to/1FjYIFV
Co-Authored with H.Q. Frost
For3ver- http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TC1JYA0
Also in:
Once: A Collection of Sinfully Sexy and Twisted Tales (Anthology): http://amzn.to/1SD57Bz
About M. Dauphin
M. Dauphin is a mom, wife, sister, daughter, granddaughter, best-daughter-in-law-EVER, and when all else slows down… a writer. She’s a stay at home mom, having an ‘early retirement’ from teaching at the ripe young age of 27, she now spends her days chasing the tiny ninjas around her house and picking up after them (or else her feet are subjected to sharp as shit Lego pains… and nobody’s got time for that).
You should befriend her on her Facebook page. She likes meeting new people.
www.facebook.com/authormdauphin
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