Page 89 of Mr. Big Mistake
“I realized that’s exactly what I want, Kelly. That’s why I’m here.”
“I’m not following.”
I reached for her hand again, and she finally let me take it.
“That’s what I want with you. One woman, for the rest of my life. One woman to experience everything with for the rest of my life. One woman, one bed, one home, and one love. Forever.”
Her eyes started watering. “You haven’t answered my questions about the woman in the casino.”
I closed the distance between us. “She’s an ex. Not even that. We didn’t date. We hooked up from time to time. When I went over to the casino after lunch, it was to have a couple of drinks, play some slots, then come home early and talk with you. Kelly, I prepared myself to come home and tell you how much I love you.”
She paused. “You--you what?”
I smiled. “I love you, Kelly Crown. The wedding reception was just a coincidence. I walked in, got a drink, and all of a sudden, a bride and groom came in a few minutes later. LaShonda comes up to my side, and she’s already drunk, and I know why, too.”
“Why?”
“Because her sister was marrying the man she was in love with.”
“Oh, that poor girl.”
I wrapped my arms around her. “I didn't want to leave her to make a fool of herself. But, I certainly didn’t intend on staying as long as I did. I just wanted to sober her up, talk to her, and leave her in a better place than when I found her. Because I knew how hurt she was. It’s the hurt I’ve experienced every time you told me you’re going on a date with someone else when you never even gave me a shot in college.”
She smiled softly. “Because you were a heartbreaker in college, Brenden.”
I kissed her forehead. “Well, I’m not now. And if you’ll let me, I want to be the man you love. Because you’re the woman I love, Kelly. And that’s never going to change.”
Right on cue, the music started up. I took Kelly’s hand in my own and held it up softly, swaying us side to side on the dance floor. The spotlight illuminated us while drowning out the rest of the world, and I lost myself in the way she felt. The way she clung to me. The way she laid her head against my chest and sighed, hopefully with relief.
And I waited until it clicked.
“Wait a second,” Kelly said.
I chuckled. “Is it coming back?”
Her eyes darted up to mine. “This is the same restaurant were our reception was held.”
“Do you remember what we did other than eat dinner?”
She paused, then smiled. “We danced to this.”
I nodded. “Mhm. Our first dance as a married couple.”
She snorted. “You’re insane, you know that?”
“I’m insane for you. Kelly, these last few weeks have been some of the greatest of my life. I never thought I could be so happy with just one person, not in all my life. I don’t want to be the man everyone thinks I am. I want to be the man youknowI am. You know me better than anyone at this point, and I don’t want that to change.”
“I don’t want it to, either.”
I spun her around and drew her back into my embrace.
“I know we aren’t married anymore. I know the annulment has happened. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be together. Right?”
She paused. “Hmmm, I’ll have to think about it.”
I chuckled. “You’re going to milk this, aren’t you?”
“I mean, can you blame me? I’ve never seen a grown man grovel as much as you are right now.”
