He grabbed both my hands and stared into his eyes. “And I love you,” he murmured.
I smiled. “I love you, too.”
“We’d better leave before I forget what it means to be a gentleman.”
I laughed as he pulled me toward the door. “So, where are you taking me?”
“Patience,” he replied.
We took the stairs (because elevators still freaked me out) down to the restaurant. I laughed out loud when I noticed the handmade sign covering the old one.
“Henry’s Bistro and Five Star Restaurant?” I read.
Bryce wiggled his eyebrows as he opened the door.
“Good evening, welcome to Henry’s Bistro and Five Star Restaurant,” said Belinda from the hostess stand inside. “How many this evening?”
Belinda was dressed prim and proper in a black skirt and white button-down blouse. Her blond hair was pulled into a tight bun and her makeup was subtle. It was so different than what I was used to, I would have never recognized her in a crowded room.
“Two, please,” replied Bryce in a deep voice.
She led us to an elegantly set up table in the corner of the candle-lit restaurant. A vase of red roses sat on top of the white tablecloth. Bryce noticed me staring at them.
“They’re obviously not real,” he said. “But I wanted you to have some kind of flowers for your birthday.”
I smiled. “Well, thank you.”
After we were settled in, our waitress brought us water and menus.
“How are you two doing this evening?” asked Paige, who was also dressed in a black skirt and white blouse.
“Wonderful,” replied Bryce. “And you?”
“Oh, I can’t complain,” she said. “Well, I could but I won’t. So, would you like to start out with an appetizer?”
I looked at the handwritten menu and smiled. There was only one appetizer available.
“We’ll have the pickles, please,” said Bryce. “Is that okay, Wild?”
“Sounds great.”
“I’ll be back with your pickles in a minute,” she said. “Anything else?”
“Paige, that’s the only thing written on the appetizer menu.”
She laughed. “Oh yeah.”
“I hear the pickles are imported,” said Bryce after Paige left us.
“They sound delicious.”
From somewhere in the darkness, a piano began playing. I stared at Bryce in surprise.
“Just wait,” he said softly.
Someone in the back of the room began to sing, “You Are So Beautiful,” and when I recognized the voice, my jaw dropped.
“Tiny?” I whispered, totally shocked.
“Yeah,” he chuckled. “Who knew?”
Tiny’s voice was amazing. It was smooth, beautiful, and it took my breath away. I couldn’t get over it.
“Would you care to dance?” asked Bryce standing up.
I nodded.
He took my hand and led me to the dance floor.
“You are beautiful, but not just tonight,” whispered Bryce next to my ear, as he held me close.
I shivered as he brushed my neck with light kisses.
“Cold?” he murmured.
“No.”
He chuckled and held me closer.
When the song was finished, we both applauded Tiny, and soon he began singing another ballad. Who knew the giant wrestler could sing and play the piano when he wasn’t pile-driving zombies?
Paige returned to our table and set down a bottle of wine and the pickles.
“Looks like our appetizer has arrived,” he said, releasing me.
Bryce guided me back to the table where he then pulled out my chair.
“What a gentleman,” I said.
He cocked an eyebrow. “Surprised?”
“No, not at all.”
Belinda walked over and helped Paige open the bottle of wine and then poured each of us a glass. “I’m supposed to tell you, just one glass,” Belinda whispered before she left. “Kristie’s orders.”
I laughed. “Oh, okay.”
“So, waitress, could you tell us what your special is this evening?” asked Bryce.
Paige cracked her gum and said, “Um… Maine lobster, garlic mashed potatoes, and baked beans.”
He grinned. “Wow, how in the world did he accomplish that?”
“Fortunately, the hotel still had a few live lobsters. As far as the garlic mashed, well they’re instant potatoes, but just forget I mentioned that.”
“Forgotten,” I said.
“The baked beans are Henry’s idea,” she went on. “It’s a little eclectic, but Henry’s the chef, and these are all his favorites.”
“It sounds awesome,” I said.
“Enjoy,” she said, and then left us alone.
“This is remarkable,” I told him. “You put all of this together?”
He nodded. “Yeah, with the help of our friends, of course.”
“Thank you.”
He grabbed my hand. “You’re very welcome. I wish I could do more.”
My eyes widened. “This is more than enough. It’s… awesome. I just wish my parents could have seen this.”
He caressed my hand with his thumb. “They probably can, from wherever they are.”
I stared at the wine. “I’m sure if they are, my dad’s probably frowning at the wine.”
“Or maybe he thinks you deserve a glass after everything you’ve been through.”
I smiled. “Maybe.”
“A toast, to us,” he said, lifting his glass.
“To us,” I answered.
I took a sip and it was warm going all the way down.
“You like it?”
I shrugged. “Wine is kind of bitter.”
“Coming from someone who adores pickles,” he said.
“They aren’t bitter,” I said as I grabbed one and started eating. “So, who told you about my pickle fetish?” I asked when I was done.
“Paige.”
“Of course.”
“Hey, nothing wrong with a girl who loves pickles,” he said. “It’s kind of enjoyable watching you indulge in one.”
The look on his face was far from innocent and I had an urge to kick him in his pickle. Instead I changed the subject. “How’s Bobby doing?”
He smiled. “Very good. I mean he’s asked about your dad a few times and I’ve skidded around the truth, but I think he understands somehow. He’s amazingly bright.”
“He’s also very artistic,” I said. “I found him some paint and brushes yesterday, and the pictures he made were amazing.”
Bryce nodded. “Yeah, but did you see any of his zombie pictures? Kind of dark.”
I saw one of his zombie pictures and it was a little disturbing, but it was also a new reality for the six-year-old. The picture was of a zombie getting crushed under the tires of a big truck. He’d told me it was he and Dave destroying zombies, just like in their zombie game.
“I just hope the zombies are destroyed soon so they don’t inspire those types of paintings anymore,” I said.
Bryce laughed.
“So, otherwise he’s doing okay?”
“Yeah. He’s always had such an innocent outlook on life, even when our mom was alive. You’d think living with an alcoholic and now flesh-eating zombies would have really messed him up. But he’s doing well.”
“Having the love of a big brother makes a hell of a difference,” I said. “You’re his rock.”
He nodded. “I’m just relieved to have regained most of my memory back. I still don’t know how I ended up with amnesia.”
“It might be better to not know. The horror we’re dealing with is bad enough. You don’t need to add any more memories.”
Just then, we heard a loud crash in the kitchen and then Henry was cursing the lobsters. Seconds later, Belinda hurried out of the kitchen, looking horrified.
“Um, so sorry folks but we’ve had a little glitch in tonight’s dinner menu. Is it okay if you sp
lit one of the lobsters?”
“Of course,” I said quickly. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Let me guess,” said Bryce. “Henry couldn’t lasso up one of the lobsters.”
She nodded. “It gave him a hard time and that’s all I’m going to say. He feels awful though, by the way.”
“Tell him not to worry about it,” I said. “I’m sure the dinner will be wonderful and I don’t eat much anyway.”
She nodded and then headed back into the kitchen.
“I’m sorry,” said Bryce.
“Are you kidding me? This has been wonderful so far. The best eighteenth birthday a girl could have in a zombie apocalypse. I mean seriously, you’ve all done very well.”
He sighed. “That’s what I love about you; you are totally selfless. You’re more concerned about the people around you much more than yourself. These last few weeks, you’ve risked your life for your sister, your friends, heck, even a psycho cowboy whose intentions weren’t even good. I feel overwhelmingly lucky that I met you. You are one amazing girl.”
Tears threatened my eyes and I struggled to keep them from slipping out. “Thanks, Bryce,” I said.
“That’s why I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Wild. I know we’re both young and we’re living in a crazy world, but there’s nobody else who makes me feel the way you do. I love you so much, and….”
When he got down on his knees, my chest tightened up and I couldn’t breathe.
“Wild, I mean, Cassie,” he said, reaching into his pocket. “Would you do me the honor of…” he pulled out a small black box, “of being my life partner?”
I stared at him in confusion.
Life partner?
What the hell did that mean? Was he asking me to marry him? I thought Billie had told me Dane and Shane were life partners. Would that make me a lesbian?
Oh, I was so confused.
I licked my lips. “Um…”
“Please say yes,” he said, his blue eyes twinkling.
The diamond ring was dazzling and as he pushed it onto my finger, I stared at it in awe. “It is beautiful,” I said.
“I was lucky to find it. Tiny and I had quite the adventure getting out of the jewelry shop alive.”
I looked into his eyes. “So, life partner, huh?”
He then burst out laughing and I was totally lost.
“Bryce, I don’t understand. What’s so funny?” I asked.
He kept laughing, wiping away real tears. Every time he’d slow down he’d look at my confused face and start all over. It was after seeing my frowning face that he finally stopped, grabbed me by the waist, and lifted me off of the ground.
“Cassie, will you marry me?” he asked in a husky voice. “I love you more than anything, and I definitely want to marry you.”
“So, you were kidding before? About being a life partner?”
He smiled sheepishly. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to see your reaction. Obviously we’ll be partners for life, but I definitely want to marry you someday. I just couldn’t help teasing you.”
“Thanks,” I replied dryly.”
“So, seriously, Cassandra Wild, will you marry me?”
I smiled. “Yes, Bryce De Luca, I will marry you.”
37
After hearing of our engagement, Paige and Belinda gushed over my ring and gave us both a hug. Henry, hearing all the excitement, stepped out of the kitchen.
“What in tarnation is going on out here? You’re going to wake the dead all over again.”
I stuck out my left hand. “Bryce and I are going to get married.”
The look on Henry’s face wasn’t exactly what I’d expected.
“How in the hell are you two going to get married in a zombie apocalypse? And, no offense to you, Wild, but son, you do know that limits you to only her, young man? You can’t go puttin’ your bobber into any other streams after getting hitched. You know what I’m saying?”
My jaw dropped. “Henry!”
“For the love of God...” groaned Paige.
“She’s all I need,” smiled Bryce. “She makes my bobber quite happy.”
Paige burst out laughing.
Henry reached into his pocket and pulled out a fresh tin of chew. “Well, your pole is kind of young to retire, don’t you think, Bryce? What are you, in your twenties?”
“Henry!” sputtered Belinda. “You’d better congratulate this young couple and quit while you’re ahead.”
Henry looked at me and his eyes twinkled. He squeezed my shoulder. “I’m just bullshitting. I was just testing Bryce to make sure he’s good enough for our little Wild.”
“Thanks, Henry,” I said. “I guess.”
“I was married a long time ago,” said Henry, his eyes taking on a faraway look. “Barbara, Tonia, Camille, and Beverly. Sounds like a lot of wives, but I’m an old man and they were all at different times, of course. Anyway, if there’s one thing I learned about marriage, it’s that…”
“What, Henry?” I asked.
He scratched his cheek. “The woman is always right, and never go to sleep when she’s mad at you. You might not make it through the night.”
“Those are very wise words,” said Belinda.
“Especially being married to Ms. Wild here. I saw what she did to those zombies, and I guarantee she can kick your ass from here to Kingdom Come. Do yourself a favor and don’t ever do her wrong, Bryce,” he said.
“I wouldn’t,” he answered with a very solemn look.
Just then, Kristie stepped into the restaurant followed by Tiny, who must have let her in on the news.
“I heard about your engagement,” said Kristie, admiring the ring. “I am very happy for the both of you.”
“Thanks,” I said.
“Now you have another reason to stay put. You can’t leave your fiancé to go racing back to Minnesota,” she said.
Bryce looked at me. “What’s she talking about?”
“I’ll tell you later,” I said.
But Kristie wasn’t finished. “She wants to go back to Minnesota with Nora, so they can look for more living relatives.”
“That’s insane,” said Bryce. “You can’t go back there. It’s too dangerous.”
“Exactly what I said,” said Kristie.
I took another sip of wine. “Please, I don’t want to talk about this right now,” I said. “It’s my birthday and I just want to enjoy it.”
“Promise me you’ll forget about going back there,” said Bryce. “Please?”
“We’ll talk about it, later,” I said. “Okay?”
He stared at me for a few seconds and then sighed, “Fine.”
“You keep at her, Bryce. Let her know how crazy it is to even consider going back there,” said Kristie.
“Well, you two enjoy the rest of your evening,” said Tiny, pulling Kristie away from the table.
“Wonderful voice, Tiny!” I hollered as they walked away. I lifted my wine glass. “I toast you… you are truly talented!”
Bryce smiled. “Enjoying the wine?”
I looked at the glass, it was almost empty. “It is rather tasty, maybe I should have a little bit more.” I drank the rest down and then lifted my glass. “Excuse me, waitress?”
He grabbed the glass. “Sorry, Wild. I want your head to be completely clear for the rest of this night. We’re switching to water.”
I stuck out my tongue. “Party pooper.”
“I’m going to take care of you now, Wild. Like it or not.”
I smiled. It sounded wonderful to me.
38
When we finished eating our meal, Bryce said that he had another surprise in store for me.
“Seriously?”
“Yeah. Come on.”
He then took my hand and led me to the elevator.
“The elevator? Can’t we just take the stairs?” I asked. “What if the generators suddenly give out?”
“It’s going to be fine. It’s far less dangerous than going back to M
innesota.”
I sighed. “Fine, okay. But if something happens, you’re climbing out of the elevator for help.”
“Of course.”
When it opened, he grabbed my hand and pulled me in.
“Okay?” he asked, squeezing my hand.
I nodded.
We went all the way up until we reached the penthouse.
“I thought Belinda and Luke were staying here?” I asked.
“Not tonight,” he said. “Close your eyes.”
“Um, okay.”
He grabbed my hand and led me out of the elevator into the hallway. Then I heard the click of the hotel key and we stepped onto the ultra-plush carpeting leading into the suite.
“Okay,” he said. “We’re almost there.”
After a few more steps, he opened up another door and a warm breeze brushed my skin.
“Okay,” he said after moving me forward again. “Open your eyes.”
“Wow,” I whispered, staring at the view outside. “It’s… beautiful.”
We were standing on the roof next to a large swimming pool that extended to the very edge of the building. There were lawn chairs and tables scattered around it, even a grill for entertaining. One of the picnic tables near the pool was decorated with confetti and birthday balloons. I stepped closer and noticed a birthday cake, champagne, a jar of pickles, and a couple of fluffy white hotel towels.
“Amazing,” I said, looking around. “This is amazing! I’ve never been on the roof of a hotel before, either.”
“It is pretty amazing.”
It was also very romantic. There were candles lit up all around the patio, the stars were out, and the pool looked so inviting, I wanted to strip out of my clothes and dive right in. But I was too modest to remove my clothing, especially in front of Bryce.
“I wish we were in a different world. Rid of zombies and violence,” he said, rubbing my back with the palms of his hands.
I walked to the edge of the roof and looked down at the darkness. No lights from the city, no traffic. It gave me the shivers, and I was just glad to be far away from the horrors lurking below us.
He came up behind me and put his arms around my waist. “I’m just so happy we can spend some time up here together. Forget about everything else taking place in the rest of the world for a while.”
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