Page 12 of Marshmallow
I sit up straighter as I take her cell out of her hand and watch the recording of the live stream Carter posted last night. He’s walking along the street at night, looking like fury itself as he shakes his head and remains silent for almost a full minute. Then he gets into his car and stares into the camera.
“I’m pissed,” he says, finally speaking. “Fucking livid.” His jaw clenches and he licks his lips, shaking his head again. “When you live a life in the public eye, you grow accustomed to sharing milestones. Highs. Lows.Loves.Yesterday, I chose to share something very special with you all. I posted a photo of myself and the woman I love, Marsha Foster. She goes by the username @marshmallow and she’s a model. A plus sized model. To me, she is the sun and the moon and the stars and everything thing in between. I worship the ground because it’s blessed enough to have her walk on it. And you people—no, that’s not fair, because a lot of you were congratulatory and supportive. But for the group of you who chose to turnmygood news into a chance for you to spread your size-ist hate, fuck you. How dare you come on my account and name call the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. How dare you even suggest I’d prefer you over her. Because I don’t. I don’t prefer anyone over her because she’s it for me. I’m a thirty-three-year-old man and I havenevertold a woman I love her before. Marsha is the one and only woman I will ever utter those words to—besides my mother of course.” He blows a kiss at the camera. “Love you, ma.” Then he sits back against his seat and wipes a hand over his face as he sighs. “And I know my mother would be proud of me for calling the haters out like this. She always taught me to stand up and fight for what’s right and for the people I love. And that’s what I’m doing here. If you don’t like my relationship—leave. If you can’t be happy for Marsha and I—because I’ll be posting about my goddess a hell of a lot going forward—then you can leave too. And any person who dares to dis the lady I love will find themselves deleted and blocked. No second chances. I will name you and shame you and I don’t care if that hurts your feelings because you didn’t care about mine or Marsha’s.” He pauses and nods to himself. “I’m just really disappointed in the human race right now. Crazy disappointed. But to those of you who offered encouragement and congratulations, I want to say thank you. We need more people like you in this world. Much love, guys.” He reaches out and ends the video.
“Wow.” I’ve never had someone put themselves out there for me like that. He’s a true gentleman. I pull my lip between my teeth as happy tears fall from my eyes.
“You know it makes me crazy when you do that,” a deep voice says from my doorway.
I gasp as my gaze lands on the most beautiful sight in this world: Carter. He’s filling the entire doorway wearing a fitted white Tee and faded denim jeans that set off his golden tan and strain against his muscles. In his hands, he holds a plant. A marsh-mallow plant that has tiny white flowers with pink centers. If I wasn’t in love with him before, I certainly am now.
“Carter,” I gasp, pressing my lips together.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Georgia says. “I gave Saffron my number, and she gave it to Carter when he couldn’t get a hold of you. So he called me, and I knew you needed to see him.”
“Thank you,” I say, giving her hand a squeeze before she takes her cell from my hand and withdraws from the room.
“I’ll leave you two alone.”
“Thanks, Georgia,” Carter says, nodding at her as she leaves. Then he turns his attention to me and my whole body comes to life.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper as he walks over to the bed and places the plant on the nightstand before sitting next to me. “I promised never to doubt us, and I chickened out right away. I just couldn’t face you knowing what they were saying. Because, what if you agreed with them?”
“On what?”
“That you could do better.”
He reaches out and pulls me into a tight hug. “There isn’t anyone better than you, sweetness. There’s only you.” He holds me so he can look in my eyes. “You hear me?”
Sniffling, I nod. “I know that now. I just let the bullied child get the better of me.”
“Well, I can’t do much about the bullies in the past, but I will fight everyone and anyone for you in the future. Who’s girl are you?”
“I’m yours,” I say, placing a flat palm against his firm chest.
“Fuck yeah, you’re mine. Nothing is gonna change that. I plan to marry you, Marsha Foster. I plan to give you babies—as many as you want. And I plan to love you and give you the best damn life you can imagine. You want that?”
My tears fall hot and fast. “I do.”
“Then promise me you will never shut me out again.”
“I promise. I promise,” I whisper, leaning in and pressing my lips to his. He moans and slides his hands up my back until he’s cradling my head, deepening the kiss.
“Tell me who you belong to, sweetness.”
“I belong to you,” I whisper.
“Forever?”
“Yes. I belong to forever.”
“Good. Because I’m taking you to Vegas.”
“What? When?”
“Tonight. Get dressed, pack a bag—or don’t, you’ll be naked the whole time, anyway.”
“Are you serious right now?” I laugh. I can hardly believe my ears.
“As a heart attack. Will you marry me, Marsha Foster?” He gets down on his knee and pulls a small box from his back pocket.
