Page 67 of Stick to the Plan
“My name is Colin Andrew McLeary. Thirty years old, originally from Dublin, Ireland, but I have been looking to move here. I like dogs, especially small black ones who are fiercely protective of their owners. I’ve only been in love once, but she thinks I did something unforgivable and won’t talk to me.”
Brianna’s eyes flicker with an analytical gleam, but give away no emotion. At least she’s listening. I can work with that. “You have less than five minutes left.”
“Nothing happened at the conference! I didn’t even know Rachel was going to be there until she showed up at my door. She was in the hotel room booked for me because she manipulated the bookings, but I wasn’tthere. After I re-packed my bags, I stayed at a terrible motel near the conference center. I can show you the invoices. I never cheated. I’ve never even lied to you once since we’ve met.”
My heart feels like it’s going to explode and my lungs burn. Desperately, I search her eyes for some flicker of emotion. Some sign that she believes me. Just as I start to think I may be too late, I see it. The briefest flicker in her cobalt eyes.
Pain.
It breaks me that I’ve hurt her so much, but it proves she isn’t indifferent.
Brianna’s emotions break through her usual placid façade, causing her cheeks to turn red with anger. “She was wearing your shirt, in your room, with a man in the shower.”
“I swear on my mother’s life it wasn’t me. The shirt got missed as I threw my shit in a bag, trying to get the hell out of there. Rachel tried to get me to sleep with her before I even met you, and I turned her down. Every chance I got, I avoided her while we were in the office. Why would I do all that just to sleep with her now?” I beg her to believe me with my eyes.
She pauses as she thinks through my words. “That doesn’t explain you ignoring my phone calls. If you are innocent, why didn’t I hear from you for a week?”
A flicker of hope blooms in my chest and I lean further, reaching out and stopping just short of touching her hand. “My phone was in my pants when I fell into the pool. I didn’t realize it was dead until I got to the airport. I didn’t know your number, but I sent you an email at your work account as soon as I landed. By the time I got a new phone, you must have already blocked me. I tried calling you dozens of times.” I search her eyes for any sign she believes me. A kaleidoscope of emotions flickers across her face. My six minutes have to be almost up.
This is it, now or never. Time to lay it all on the line.
“Brianna Chase, from the moment I saw the fire in your eyes in that conference room, you’ve captured me. These last few months of living together have been the happiest of my life. I love you so much. Even if I have to spend the rest of my life proving to you how much it will be worth it. Because you are undoubtedly the only woman for me.”
I take a deep breath as I push my chair back and fall to one knee beside her, a blue velvet box in my hand. My eyes lock on hers as I open the box to reveal a white gold Claddagh ring with a blue sapphire heart. Her eyes widen as they dart between the ring and me. Confusion and shock clear on her face as her emotionless mask falls away entirely.
With my free hand, I clasp her limp fingers before continuing. “I know this seems impulsive, but I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. Will you marry me?”
The room has gone eerily silent. I hold my breath as I wait for her answer.
“I can’t.”
Her voice is barely a broken whisper, but it shatters me. She bites her lip and her eyes glimmer brightly, red around the edges.
My breath rushes out, all traces of hope gone. My eyes burn as I hold back tears of my own. This is it, the end of the line.
I nod absently, drowning in emotion. Sniffling slightly, I stand and start to walk away. The room around me fades away as I concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other, away from the love of my life. Grief and regret overwhelm me. I did nothing wrong, but there’s so much I could have done better.
I could have tried harder to get a message to her, or call the number at Pop. Instead of running away, I could have stayed in my room and filed a formal complaint against Rachel. Brianna had been crystal clear abouther hard limit. She was with Chris for years but still severed all ties. I can’t expect her to go out on a limb for a man she’s known for three months.
Ding-a-ling.
In a daze, I look back at the sound of a bell. Brianna still holds the silver bell aloft, her eyes bright as a lone tear trickles down her cheek. Her lips curve in a tremulous smile as she watches me.
“I can’t…yet.” She stands, and her smile grows. “I mean, we never reallydated,so it’s a bit premature to get married.But you can move back in and I’ll think about it.“ Her shoulders shrug slightly, and a beautiful blush spreads across her cheeks.
Long strides eat up the distance between us as I rush to embrace her. My lips capture hers in a drugging kiss. I pour all the love and joy I feel into it. Her arms circle my shoulders as I lift her and spin. The crowd bursts into applause as we hold each other, and I don’t give a fuck. The woman of my dreams is in my arms and she didn’t say no.
“I love you.” I whisper as I break the kiss, using my thumb to dry the tears on her cheeks.
Her smile is bright and wide as she cups my face in her palms. “I love you, too.”
Epilogue - Three Months Later
Brianna
The afternoon light glows as I stare out the window of my office in thought. I can’t believe it’s been three months since speed dating. In that time, Colin has proved himself over and over again. He’s stayed true to his word. Every day, he shows me how much he loves me.
We just got back from Dublin, where we packed up his apartment to make the move permanent. I met his family, and they are absolutely wonderful. So welcoming and supportive. His sisters and I even have a group chat going and we are already planning Christmas together on the family farm. Seeing him with his niece and nephew was adorable. My ovaries nearly combusted, picturing him with a child of our own.
