Page 106 of Out of the Shadow

I wake to Angie cradled at my side, her head resting on my shoulder. I run my hand down her naked back and slip away, not wanting to wake her. My engagement ring is the only thing she’s wearing.

Moving Jeter from the floor, where he landed last night, to the top of my dresser, I grab a pair of shorts and head into the living room. I wasn’t able to sleep much last night—holding Angie long after she fell asleep. Although I’d dismissed her advice about Dad, more than once, it occurred to me that I might be wrong to discount her.

Angie’s been right about so much. Maybe she’s right about this as well?

Looking down at my phone, I bring up his contact information. It’s nine a.m. here, which makes it eight in Chicago, where he lives. Not too early. He picks up on the first ring. “King? Everything all right, son?”

My stomach knots at his last word. “Yeah,” I croak out. “Yes. I’m good. How are you doing?”

“I’m well. We finished up our tour last week, so I’ve been recharging at home with Sara.”

I nod. “That’s good. I’m sure you appreciate the break.”

“Yeah.” He chuckles. “I’m not as young as I used to be.”

I wipe my damp palms on my shorts. “So, uh, Dad. I’m calling because I wanted to let you know that I met a girl. Woman. Well, we met months ago. Angie—you met her. And I, uh, just asked her to marry me. She said yes.”

“King! That’s wonderful news. Congratulations to you both.” He pauses. “Do you need money for an engagement ring? I know I cut off—”

“No. I’m good. I have a job. Well, two actually. I’m a real estate agent in the Hamptons and you know I’m on Blaine’s show,Battle of the Real Estate Matchmakers.”

“Sara mentioned it started airing, but we haven’t had time to check it out yet. It’s on our DVR.”

Huh? He taped it? I rest my arms on the kitchen island. Time for one more truth. “Cutting me off was the best thing you could’ve done for me. If that hadn’t happened, I never would’ve met Angie—or gotten involved with real estate. I might never have realized Ilikeworking.”

“I’m so happy to hear that, King.” He pauses, and there’s a new catch in his voice when he continues, “I’m proud of you.”

My heart flips and expands at his last words. “Thanks, Dad. And I wanted to let you know that, while I never did drugs often, they are now completely out of my life.”

“I’m so happy to hear that.”

Contented with our conversation, I say, “Well, I should get going. Bye.”

I put the phone onto the counter when Angie walks into the room, as naked as the day she was born. “I wasn’t listening on purpose, but were you talking with your father?”

Because the sight of her, naked and confident, sent all of my blood southward, I can only summon the will to nod.

“That’s great.” She places her left hand on my shoulder. “What did he say?”

I cover her hand with my own, my finger rubbing over her engagement ring. “He sends his best wishes.” I bring her knuckles up to my lips. “It’s a start. All because of you.”

She kisses my neck and I wrap my arms around her. She’s my family, and I know I’ll never be alone again. No matter what life throws at us, everything will work out, because I have the most amazing woman by my side.

For the first time, the future is filled with exciting possibilities.

King

“WHEN DID YOUknow you were in love?”

The host directs his question at Angie, who turns an adorable shade of pink. She plays with the engagement ring I gave her two months ago. “After King did.”

The live audience laughs.

I swivel in my chair and pick up the slack. “That’s very true. I knew right away this woman was different from anyone else I’d ever met. She was pig-headed, that’s for sure, but so determined to help everyone out with their real estate needs.” I shake my head at the chuckles from the audience. “I didn’t stand a chance.”

The host grins politely. “People who’ve seen the show always comment on your bickering. To someone who doesn’t know about you two, it would seem like you didn’t like each other. Why did you two argue so much at first?”

I think for a moment. “At first, I was all about the multi-million dollar places. I thought Angie was looking too small because she always wanted to see the best for everyone, no matter their budget. She opened my eyes, though. Everyone deserves to have a good real estate agent to find the perfect home for them.”

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