Page 105 of Four Dates and A Forever
“Your girl, huh?”
“Why are you here, Els?” He reached out to bring her closer, but she backed away, and it was like an arrow through the heart. She walked to the end table, where a bottle of champagne and a second flute sat. She filled the glass and he could see her hands were trembling.
“To celebrate, well, a lot of things. First, we never got to toast to you and your new house.”
“I don’t give a shit about the house.”
She ignored this and stepped closer, handing him the flute. “Second, that you finished writing the songs for your album.”
“I don’t give a shit about that either. All I care about is us,” he admitted, and it was as if a weight had been lifted. He was finally telling her what he should have told her that night at the bar. “I care about you and me, Red. And the chance to finish what we started ten years ago. I went along with your rules but it’s not enough for me. And I realized something recently, I’m tired of giving up what I want, which is why I told Gage I needed more time here, with you.”
“You did?”
He nodded. “I’m not recording the album in LA, I’m doing it here. I have a stunning, state-of-the-art music room and basement studio this amazing architect designed, why go anywhere else. As for my tour, it will be structured so that I work for two weeks and then get a solid week off to come home. Or one week on and one week off—whatever we decide on—and when I am home, I’ll be home. No press, no appearances, just downtime.”
“But your music is your life.”
“Youare my life and the thought of living it without you brings me to my knees. And this house is so goddamned empty without you in it. I’m not expecting you to go on the road with me,” he added quickly. “I’d never make you give up your dream or career. I want to be in your life, whatever that looks like.”
She swallowed hard and her eyes were wide and a little misty. “You’d do that for me?”
“I’d do it for us.” He circled a hand around her waist. “Please tell me there’s an us. Or at least the chance for me to prove to you that I’m worth being the other part of your us.”
Her voice was soft as she reached up and cupped his cheek. “You don’t have to prove anything to me, Rhett. You are so worthy of love, which brings me to our last toast.” She lifted her glass. “I want to toast to love because I love you, Rhett. All of you. The musician, the man, my friend, my lover, and the best big spoon your girl could ask for.”
“My girl?”
“I hope that’s a forever title.”
A rush of air left his lungs so fast it left his head spinning. He took both their glasses and set them on the table, then pulled her into him. “I love you so much I can’t breathe when we’re not together. Day one, I knew I loved you and that anything less than forever would never be enough.” He tilted his head down until their foreheads were touching. “I love you, Elsie Dodd, and I can’t imagine my world without you in it. I want to wake up every morning with you in my arms and fall asleep every night listening to you snore.”
She gave his chest a playful nudge. “I don’t snore.”
He grinned. “Yeah, you do, but it’s sweet.You’re sweetand sexy and honest and the best person I’ve ever met. I want to be your last first date, Els.” He felt the ring in his pocket. His plan had been to get down on one knee and do things right, but he didn’t want to let her go. “Reach into my pocket.”
She snorted. “Worst line ever.” But she reached into his pocket, and he knew when she found it because her breath caught and she stilled. Then she pulled it out and her hand went to her mouth in surprise.
“Rhett,” was all she said, and he couldn’t tell by her expression if she thought it was a good thing or the worst idea ever.
He’d never been so nervous in his entire life.
“Marry me, Els.” He brushed a kiss over her lips. “I know this might seemed rushed, but I’ve wanted to do this for nearly a decade. Marry me.”
“Rhett,” she whispered. “It’s beautiful.”
“I got it wrong ten years ago, so I want to make sure I get it right this time around.” He dropped to a knee and asked, “Be my wife and I promise that I will put you first every day and love you the way you deserve to be loved. What do you say, Els?”
“Yes,” she said, caressing his face and tugging him up to deliver a long, tender kiss that rocked his world. “All the yeses in the world wouldn’t be enough. And two weeks a month isn’t enough. I want that every morning thing you talked about. Which is why I’m sure we can sync our schedules to be together and still live out all our dreams.”
Rhett picked her up and swung her around. He’d come home to find himself and instead he’d found what had been missing all along. Love. He might have been a little slow on the uptake when it came to getting it right, but he’d finally gotten his girl.
Epilogue
Dating Tips from Elsie Dodd
Don’t wait for the net.
When it’s right, just jump.
