I'm Pretty Sure You're Gonna Miss Me Ronin McKinsey

by M. J. Padgett

  “Daniel, shh. For once, just close your yapper and listen to me. I’m going with you to D.C., and I’ve already enrolled in a school there. It was supposed to be a surprise for later, but I’ve decided what I want to do with my life.”

  “Really? Care to share that with me, Peaches?” he asked, with the ridiculously adorable grin.

  “Event planning, large scale, big time. Celebrities will beg me to plan their events, Daniel,” I said, imagining it as I said it.

  “Perfect. I think that’s perfect, Peaches. I love you, and I can’t wait,” he said. “Ready for our place now?”

  “Yeah, let’s go. We won’t have much time to hang there with exams and regionals coming up. I’m gonna miss that dusty old place,” I said.

  We gave the limo driver a break and walked the five blocks to the bookstore without my shoes on, of course, because who could walk that far in stick-thin heels? When we stepped inside, the cranky old checkout lady smiled.

  “What on earth? Did you two get lost on your way to the ball?” she asked.

  “No, ma’am, we decided to skip prom and hang out here. We like it better here,” Daniel said.

  “You two are so adorable,” she said, then disappeared into the back. Within minutes, the lights dimmed, and the music changed to something soft and slow. The children’s reading area lit up with twinkle lights, and I noticed old man bear was different. I gasped when I approached and saw he was dressed in a little teddy bear tuxedo.

  “You did this, too?” I asked.

  “Mmmmaybe...” he said and offered his hand. “You never did give me formal dance lessons, so I’m gonna step all over your feet.”

  “I don’t care, this is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. How did you know I’d agree to leave prom?” I asked, taking his hand as I fell into his embrace.

  “I wasn’t sure you would, but just in case you did, I went ahead with the plan. I wanted to give you something you would never forget, not just a usual prom. And just to make this super corny and over the top, I got you this.” He handed me another box. Inside was a key. I looked up at him, confused.

  “For our apartment. Two bedrooms so your parents might not kill me, and right in the middle of the action. We can walk to almost anything, and if we can’t walk, the train is two blocks away.” My eyes bulged, and I was a little freaked out.

  “How much is the rent, Daniel? I could be wrong, but I’m guessing the program doesn’t pay much, and I’ll be in school.”

  “It doesn’t pay anything, but that’s not a problem. Grandparents, Peaches, remember? Raised a crappy kid, ran out on us, they buy my love with crap? Well, they own the complex, so... penthouse for us.”

  “The... did you say penthouse?”

  “Do you take issue with using an elevator daily? Because they have stairs, like a billion, but it’s an option,” he was mocking me, the little snot. I shoved him, but he recovered quickly. “Seriously, it has great security, and I think your parents will feel a lot better about your choice once they see where you’ll be living. My grandparents live in the same building, just in another wing. What do you think?”

  “Did I mention you’re the best boyfriend ever?” I asked, sinking into his embrace again as he swayed to the music.

  “You might have mentioned it, but it’s easy for you, Peaches,” he said. “Now, shall we call our friends and see if they want to join our private party?”

  I looked up, gazing into his eyes. “Maybe another fifteen minutes.”

  He lifted me and kissed me, another of his Hazel-melting kisses, and I knew, from then on, everything would be okay. He loved me exactly how I was, over the top mess and all. And I loved him, the genius who cared more about helping me find my way than he did about his own happiness.

  I missed being crowned prom queen, and Melanie Brockman was crowned instead. I wasn’t disappointed in the least. I missed Ronin asking Natalie on another date because they had such an amazing time together. I missed my sister teaching our entire graduating class how to salsa dance. And I missed Dizzy’s first kiss. I missed it all, yet I didn’t miss a thing, because I was exactly where I needed to be—with Daniel, the real boy I couldn’t live without.

  Epilogue

  SEVEN YEARS LATER

  I tapped my fingers on the armrest, choosing to wait in the car rather than in Daniel’s office. Even after seven years, I still felt like an idiot the second I passed through the door. His coworkers were friendly enough, but it was challenging to hold my own in a room filled with brilliant minds.

  Staring at the door made my eyes hurt, but I couldn’t look away. When Daniel emerged from the building, whatever news he had would be life-changing in one way or another. We were either staying in D.C., and Daniel would be linked to a long-term project, or we were packing and heading out on an adventure. I was nervous about both options if I’m honest, but life requires you to take the unknown and make do with what it becomes.

  Rose called a dozen times, but I had no updates for her. His meeting should have ended by then, so I was far past impatient. My phone rang again, likely Rose, but I checked it anyway. I didn’t recognize the number, so it was probably a potential client.

  “Hello?” I asked, kicking myself for not using the professional greeting.

  “Hello, is this Miss Simmons of Parties by Peaches?” a female voice asked—confident, authoritative, and hurried.

  “Yes, it is. How may I help you?” I asked, crossing my fingers it was another upscale wedding or senator’s birthday party.

  “This is Vera McCauley. I’m calling on behalf of my client, who would like to secure your services for an upcoming event. Are you available for December 20th?” She asked.

  “December 20?” I asked, glancing at my planner—two days away.

  “Of next year, I should mention,” she added.

  “Oh, of course. I have nothing scheduled past April.” I wanted to smack myself again. Way to go, Hazel, just tell everyone your schedule is wide open, and your business would probably fail before the end of the year.

  “Good, don’t schedule anything else. We’ll need you working this event full-time,” she said, but before I could tell her that wouldn’t be possible—a girl can’t live off the funds from one measly party—she hit me with a number that almost made me drop the phone.

  “The event pays two hundred thousand, half upfront and the remainder upon delivery of service. We’re prepared to give you an account with your own personal card to cover expenses and supplies; however, if you accept the job, you will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement.”

  “I’m sorry, I’m confused.”

  “I apologize, I suppose I got a little ahead of myself didn’t I?” she chuckled. “I’m just so excited you’re free, I wanted to snatch you up before anyone else had the chance.”

  “I think you have me confused with another planner, this is Parties by Peaches, the small, one-woman operation in Washington, D.C.,” I said, fearing the worst—she’d made a huge mistake and would drop me like a bad habit when she figured it out.

  “Yes, Senator Peterson recommended your services. He said his wife’s fiftieth birthday party was, in his words, to die for,” she said. The senator was impressed, and he did promise to pass my business cards around to his friends, so perhaps this was just my lucky day?

  “Oh, may I ask who is holding the event?”

  “I’m sorry, that information is confidential until you sign the non-disclosure agreement, but I can assure you that you won’t regret accepting the job. If the event is everything we expect it will be, you will find many more offers where this came from.” Her tone was almost pleasant, far more friendly than when I first answered the phone.

  “Okay, should we set an appointment to discuss the terms and details of the event?” I asked.

  “Are you available in half an hour? It’s short notice, but I happen to be in town for other business, and my flight leaves in three hours.”

  “Okay, sure. My office
is on—”

  “Actually, could you meet me in the lobby of the Jefferson Hotel?”

  I agreed and sent Daniel a text message. His news would have to wait, but at least I had something to do to pass the time. I pulled onto the main road and headed toward the hotel, a little voice telling me this could be a prank or a crazy person, but I shook the thought from my head and drove through the traffic.

  Once inside the hotel, I called Ms. McCauley. She sent me to the reception desk, where a nice young man escorted me to a conference room. Inside, Ms. McCauley hung up her cell and gave me a bright smile. She was far younger than I expected, barely older than me. She stood and rounded the table, offering me her hand.

  “It’s so nice to meet you, Ms. Simmons. Please, have a seat,” she said, then got right down to business. “Signing the non-disclosure form does not contractually obligate you to provide your services for the event, it simply prevents you from discussing the details outside of this office, understand?” she asked, sliding the form in front of me.

  I’d signed dozens of such forms before, having thrown parties for several government officials and the like. I read over the form, very standard and straightforward, then signed it. She smiled eagerly and picked up her phone.

  Once someone answered the line, she said, “Come on in.”

  I grew nervous, but surely the hotel wouldn’t send me to slaughter at the hands of a mafia man or some other crazy scary person, right? A second door in the conference room opened, and a tall blonde-haired man entered. Once he shut the door behind him and gave me his full attention, I almost passed out.

  “Hello, Ms. Simmons, my name is Justin. It’s nice to meet you, and I hope I can convince you to take on my event.”

  “You’re... you’re... you’re...” Come on, Hazel, spit it out! “You’re Justin DeWalt!” I screeched.

  He laughed at my reaction and said, “Indeed I am, and I’d really love to have you on-board with the event. It’s a celebrity auction that will benefit my farm, DeWalt Therapy Farm. Have you heard of it?”

  I nodded, still unable to speak in the presence of my all-time favorite actor.

  “The entire event will take place over three days, December 20 through 22, and all proceeds will go back into the farm and others like it across the country. What do you think, Ms. Simmons, can you handle a three-day party with hundreds of celebrities?”

  My jaw went slack. I was sure I hadn’t blinked since Justin DeWalt entered the room. “Uh... um...”

  “Don’t worry, we’ll help you hire an assistant or two, and you’ll have your own expense account. We’ll fly you in and out as necessary, but you should be able to do most of the planning from your office. Plus, added bonus, if you pull it off, we’ll keep you on-board for future events. And I’m sure I could convince my friends to hire you for their events.”

  “I... yes! Where do I sign?” I found my voice and screamed my answer before I lost it again.

  Justin smiled happily, and his assistant shoved a contract in my face. “Look over this with your attorney, and get back to me with any questions as soon as possible. If you agree, sign it and overnight it to me. Once you do, it’s all fun from here on out.”

  I took the stack of paperwork and slipped it into my tote, finding it difficult to tear my eyes away from the hunky actor turned advocate sitting beside me. Daniel’s text message did that quite nicely, though.

  “Well, we won’t take any more of your time. Thank you again for coming down, Ms. Simmons.” Justin offered his hand.

  “Oh, please, Mr. DeWalt, call me Hazel.”

  “And please call me Justin. We’ll be seeing a lot of each other, I hope. My wife loves your work; honestly, she threatened my life if I didn’t hire you for this event,” he said.

  I chuckled. “Well, please give her my thanks for the endorsement.”

  “Will do, now if you’ll excuse me, I have one last meeting before the mad dash to the airport,” he said.

  I barely kept it together on my way back to Danial’s office, and when he met me in my car, I lost all control. “I just signed my first celebrity party,” I screamed at him.

  He stared blankly at me while he processed the information, then said, “Well, I hope you can work from the comfort of our new home in Hawaii.”

  “I’m sorry, did you say Hawaii?”

  “I did, Peaches. I got the project,” he added.

  It was my turn to stare blankly. “I didn’t know there was a project in Hawaii.”

  “Me either. Turns out it’s a joint project with the Army, and my name was at the top of their list, so... Wanna go with me and get a nice tan?”

  I jumped out of the car and met him at the back, leaping into his arms. “Yes, of course, I’m going with you! Where else would I go, doofus?”

  He kissed me, and even after seven years, I was still a Hazel puddle.

  “So,” he finally said. “Tell me more about this event. I can’t wait to hear all the details.”

  “If things work out, it opens doors to so much, like celebrity parties, awards shows, and, oh, I’m so excited!”

  “Peaches, you’re killing me! Who’s it for?” he asked.

  “Technically, I’m not supposed to tell you, but I might have left the contract in my tote back, just sayin’.” He slid into the seat and peeked at the contract.

  “Holy moly, Peaches. I’m so proud of you! I always knew you’d get this one day, and I’m so, so honored to be a part of it. You wanna go get married?”

  “Huh?” I asked, shocked.

  “I love you, and I promised you a lot of things seven years ago that haven’t really worked out until now. It took a lot longer to get through college and secure a permanent project than I thought it would, but you followed me without hesitation, and you stayed even when it was hard. And now I’m dragging you across the country. I want to give you all the things I promised. I want to marry the most incredible person I’ve ever had in my life.”

  “I want to, Daniel, I really, really do... but... this thing will keep me so busy I’ll never get a wedding planned, probably not until next year, and that’s if...” I hesitated, remembering something Ronin said to me on graduation day.

  You’re a great person Hazel, and an even better friend. Just don’t forget, sometimes it’s the smaller gestures of love that mean the most.

  “What’s wrong, Peaches? You were doing your cute rambling thing, then you disappeared?” he asked nervously.

  “Today. I can do it today. What do you think?” I asked.

  “What? I can’t do that to you, Peaches. You deserve a huge wedding with all your family and friends.”

  “It’s not what I want. I’ve lived my life large-scale for so long, I want to let the smaller gesture prevail this time. I love you, and I want to show you how much right now.” I got in the car and leaned over the console, yelling up at him. “I mean, like, right this second, Daniel. Let’s go!”

  He slid into the passenger seat. “Seriously? Right now?”

  “Yes, but it’s already four, so we have to hurry,” I said, flooring the gas to get out of the crazy big parking lot.

  “Wait, Peaches.” I expected him to argue with me about it more, but instead, he said, “Take the next right. You’ll miss the traffic from the other office and save ten minutes.”

  My phone rang, Rose again. “Hey, Rose, can’t talk. Getting married. Gotta go, bye!” I tossed my phone into the back seat. Daniel smiled, the one I always got lost in. We made it to the courthouse just in time, got our paperwork, and hurried to fill it out, and ten minutes after we signed on the line, we were Mr. and Mrs. Starnes.

  Of course, my mother made us have an official ceremony after the fact, but our elopement was symbolic in many ways. Daniel didn’t care what anyone thought of him, he did his own thing and in his own time. I was a go big or go home kind of girl. Together, we learned what it meant to truly be loved and to love someone else—bringing all our strengths and weaknesses to the table and accepting each
other for who we were. I helped Daniel connect more with the world instead of watching it from the outside, and he helped me realize the joy in the smaller things in life—both without changing a thing about each other.

  Ronin McKinsey did miss me, but in the end, everything worked out the way it was supposed to. We were friends, what we should have always been. Daniel, he was the boy who was made for me, and when I finally realized that, everything fell into place. It wasn’t always easy, but it was fun, and there was so much love. In the end, isn’t that how it’s supposed to be?

  Don't miss out!

  Click the button below and you can sign up to receive emails whenever M. J. Padgett publishes a new book. There's no charge and no obligation.

  https://books2read.com/r/B-A-FKDJ-PYRJB

  Connecting independent readers to independent writers.

  Did you love I'm Pretty Sure You're Gonna Miss Me Ronin McKinsey? Then you should read I'm Pretty Sure You're Gonna Regret That Darcy Pistolis by MJ Padgett!

  Darcy Pistolis never met a dare she could turn down, and her antics are usually the talk of the town. The younger sister of Violet Pistolis, who tragically died at just twenty years old, doesn't see herself slowing down anytime soon—especially if it means letting the memory of her sister slip from her grasp.

  When the lights go out during a kissing game at a summer party, Darcy experiences the kiss of a lifetime—one that offers an adrenaline rush like she's never known before. Determined to find the mystery kisser, she devises the Kiss Contest. If she's lucky, the mystery guy will show up and knock her socks off again.

  But unexpected feelings for her best friend complicate Darcy's plan, proving there's much more to life than living on the edge. Can Darcy figure out what she wants before she loses everything, or will losing everything help her find out who she really is?

  Read more at MJ Padgett’s site.