"Have to get back to work." She waves as she walks off. "Have fun!"
I turn to Corbin. "What's going on here? Not that I don't love seeing you but I don't get why you left work in the middle of the day."
"I told you, I couldn't wait."
"Wait for what? You're not making sense."
He looks down at Lucky. "Should we tell her?"
He sneezes, which almost sounds like 'yes' in dog language.
"I agree," he says to Lucky. "Lucky, sit."
He sits and looks up at Corbin.
"Check his collar," Corbin says to me.
"Why? What's wrong with his collar?"
"Just check it. See if there's something on it."
I kneel down and move Lucky's fur aside to get to his collar.
"I don't see anything," I say, laughing as Lucky licks my face. "Lucky, that's enough kisses." And then I notice it. The little pouch hanging from Lucky's collar. I take it off and stand up. "Is this what you mean?"
Corbin nods. "Open it."
I reach into the pouch and pull out a ring. A ring with a huge sparkling diamond. "Oh my God, is this..." I can't even say it. I'm too shocked.
"A gift from Lucky?" Corbin jokes. "He did help pick it out but it's actually from me." He takes it from me as he gets down on one knee. "Star, I love you more than anything, and although I know you've told me you want to wait, I just couldn't do it anymore. I want to marry you and I don't want to wait. So even if you say no, I'm still going to ask." He holds out the ring. "Star, will you marry me?"
"Yes!" I nod really fast. "Yes, I'll marry you!"
He looks at Lucky. "She said yes, right?"
Lucky barks.
"I thought so too." He puts the ring on my finger, then stands up and kisses me. "I love you."
"I love you too." Then I hug him. "We're getting married!"
Lucky starts barking and jumping on us, trying to be part of the hug.
"We should go celebrate," I say.
"That's where we're going next." He takes my hand and tugs on Lucky's leash. "Let's go, Lucky."
"Where are we going?" I ask as we walk.
"To our engagement party."
"Engagement party?" I stop. "You planned an engagement party not knowing if I'd say yes?"
"I called it a summer cookout until I knew for sure. Now it's an engagement party. Alexis did all the planning."
"Where's it at?"
"Our apartment building. Around the flower gardens out back. George is running the grills. It's nothing too fancy but I think you'll like it."
George is Alexis' boyfriend. They've dated for six months. He's tall with thick dark hair and black-rimmed glasses. He dresses really preppy with polo shirts and khaki pants or dress shirts with plaid ties. Alexis loves that look. It's what got her attention when they met. George is getting his PhD and seems really serious until you get to know him and find out he's really fun and likes to joke around.
"Who's going to be there?" I ask as we're driving.
"Let's see. Alexis and George. A few friends from work. My parents. Your parents."
"My parents are here? They came all this way for what they thought was a cookout?"
"I might've mentioned the proposal part but I had to. I had to ask for their daughter's hand."
"You didn't have to do that. They're glad to get rid of me."
"Actually, your dad choked up. I don't think he was ready for his little girl to get married. And your mom made me promise to take you back there to visit."
"Really? Huh. Maybe they really do miss me."
"Oh, and your friend, Haley, will be there too."
"Seriously? I get to see Haley?" I practically jump out of my seat with excitement. I haven't seen Haley in over a year.
When the car is parked, Corbin turns to me. "Lauren and Lars are there too."
"At the party?"
"Yes, but I can tell them to leave if it makes you uncomfortable. They're in town visiting Lauren's parents. Alexis was over there and accidentally mentioned the party. Lauren called me and asked if she and Lars could be there. I told her yes but now I'm thinking maybe it was a bad idea."
"It's fine. Really. I don't mind. Will the baby be there?"
Corbin smiles. "Yes. Charlie will be there."
"Then they definitely should be there. I want to meet Charlie."
Alexis is still friends with Lauren and she's been showing me baby pictures of Charlie since he was born. He's adorable with his thick blond hair and chubby cheeks. The blond hair alone would've been proof he was Lars' kid but he also has his smile.
Lars and Lauren got married right before Charlie was born. Lars found a sales job in New York that Alexis says pays almost as much as Lauren makes as a doctor. I can totally see Lars working in sales. With his smile and outgoing personality, he's a total sales guy.
Corbin takes my hand as we walk out the doors that lead to the garden.
"Congratulations!" everyone yells when they see us.
Alexis runs up to me and gives me a hug. "Hope you like the party!"
"It's great," I say, noticing all the balloons and the tables set up with food and drinks. The garden is in full bloom, making it the perfect place for a party.
Alexis takes Lucky as Haley runs up and hugs me.
"Congrats! You snagged a doctor!" Haley lowers her voice. "And he's really hot!"
I laugh. "It's so good to see you! How'd you get off work?"
"I'm actually working here this week. There's a convention downtown and they're making me work the booth. But I don't have to be there until tomorrow so if I'm free all night."
"That's great!"
"Honey, congratulations," my mom says, appearing behind Haley. My mom's single again. So is my dad, who's right beside her. They're divorced now but they still live in the same house and do stuff together. It's strange. I don't get it.
"Your brother couldn't be here," my dad says. "Had to stay with the wife."
"That's fine. How she's doing?"
"She's good," my mom says, "but tired of being on bed rest."
My brother is married now and his wife is eight months pregnant. They're having a girl.
Corbin's parents come up to me next, and although they pretend to be happy for us, I know they're not thrilled I'm marrying Corbin. But maybe with time they'll accept it.
Music starts playing and Alexis tells everyone to help themselves to the food. People fill their plates, then mingle throughout the garden. It's such a perfect day and a perfect party.
As Corbin goes to talk to one of his friends, I go to the beverage table to grab a water.
"Star, can I talk to you?"
It's Lauren. She snuck up beside me. She looks the same but seems more relaxed than when I knew her before. Maybe motherhood has mellowed her.
"Sure." I take my water and we walk off to the side.
"Congratulations," she says.
"Thanks. To you too. Lars is a great guy."
"He really is." She glances at him and I see him in the distance, holding Charlie. "He's matured a lot the past year. He's a great dad." She looks back at me. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry for the way I acted back when I was living here. I was hung up on this dream of being with Corbin and I would've done just about anything to break you guys apart."
I'm surprised she's being so honest. I didn't think she'd ever admit to that.
"It's all in the past," I say.
She smiles. "I've been seeing a therapist and she said I have to deal with the past before I can truly move forward. I actually do feel better now that I said that."
I just nod, wishing we could end this. Even when she's being nice to me she still makes me uncomfortable. "Could I go meet Charlie?"
Her face lights up. "Yes, of course! I forgot you'd never met him."
We walk over to Lars. Charlie sees his mom and holds his arms out to her.
"Charlie, this is Star," she says as she takes him.
He smiles at me as he hugs his mom.
"He's adorable."
"Hey, Star," Lars says. "Congrats on the engagement."
"Thanks."
"There you are," Corbin says, coming up beside me, his arm going around me.
"Corbin." Lauren smiles at him. "Good to see you."
"You too." He looks over at Lars. "I hear you've got a new job."
Lars shrugs. "Not so new anymore. Been about a year now."
"You like it?"
"Yeah, it's been good."
Charlie reaches for Lars and he takes him from Lauren.
"Cute kid," Corbin says.
Lauren tickles Charlie's tummy and he laughs. "He's growing up way too fast."
"How about you two?" Lars asks. "Planning on kids anytime soon?"
Corbin looks at me. "I'm not sure Star's ready for that."
"I wasn't ready either," Lauren says, looking at Charlie. "Not even close. But it turned out better than I could've imagined."
Lars puts his arm around her. "We should get him down for his nap."
Lauren smiles at Corbin and me. "It was good seeing you both."
"Good seeing you too," Corbin says. He waits for them to leave, then says, "That wasn't so bad, was it?"
"No. She was actually nice to me. She even apologized for how she acted."
"Huh. I guess motherhood has changed her."
"You think it'll change me?"
"I hope not." He kisses me. "I love you just the way you are."
"I love you too." I kiss him back.
He looks at me. "Wait, you weren't asking me that because you're—"
"Pregnant?" I smile. "No." I pause. "But I might want that sooner than I told you."
"Really? Like when?"
"Like maybe next year. I mean, you're not getting any younger. You'll be thirty soon. That's really old."
He laughs. "It's not old. But I'm all for starting a family sooner rather than later."
"Then I say we go for it. But first we have to get married. And finish our engagement party." I take his hand. "Let's go."
"Wait. Before you go I want to give you something."
"What?"
"It's not much. Just something I saw at a store and immediately thought of you." He takes it from his pocket but keeps it in his hand. "You know how you always say you have bad luck?"
"Yeah."
"It's not true. Or maybe it used to be but it's not now. It changed the moment I hit you with my car. It may not have seemed lucky at the time but it got us to the place we're at now. I never would've met you if that hadn't happened. And you've had good luck ever since."
"I have, haven't I?" I say, thinking about it.
"So no more saying you have bad luck. Believe it'll be good and it will." He hands me a necklace. "This is so you won't forget."
It's a silver necklace that has the words 'Lucky Star' in silver script letters hanging from the chain.
I smile as I put it on. "I love it! It's perfect!"
"I thought so too." He takes my hand. "Let's go join the party."
As we mingle with our guests I keep looking down at the necklace. Those two little words are exactly how I feel right now. How I've felt since meeting Corbin. And how I'll feel forever, having Corbin at my side.
I have everything I could ever want. I'm happier than I've ever been. My bad luck is gone. Now I'm lucky.
Lucky Star.
###
From the Author
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***
Books by Allie Everhart
The Jade Series
(New Adult Romance/Suspense)
Choosing You
Knowing You
Loving You
Promising You
Forever You
Finding Us
Becoming Us
Always Us
Garret: A Jade Series Companion Novel
The Kensington Series
(Romantic Suspense)
Needing Her
Keeping Her
Protecting Her
Only Her
Kensington Family Novels
Lilly
Lilly and Reed
Moorhurst College
(Romantic Suspense)
Secrets Kept
Secrets Told
Contemporary Romance
Standalone Novels
Next to Me
Give Us a Chance
Can't Let You Go
More to Us
Still Love You
Holding On
One Night
Anyone But Her
The Geek and The Goddess (young adult)
Road Trouble (suspense)
***
BONUS! Sneak peek of Holding On, a standalone romance, available now!
Up until that night, everything was perfect.
I'd just finished my junior year, been named one of the best college football players in the country, and had a smokin' hot girl on my lap heading to a party at my buddy's cabin.
Now I'm living in my own personal hell, reliving that night, my busted-up leg a constant reminder of what I'm trying to forget. Everyone in this damn town is holding their breath to see if I'll play again, as if that even matters anymore. My future in the pros? The money? The media attention? I don't give a shit about any of it anymore.
All I want is to be left alone so I'm pissed when my mom goes and hires some damn cleaning lady for the house I've been renting. I'm expecting some old lady but instead I get a girl with a beautiful face, soulful eyes, and a body I can't stop looking at.
Her name is Becca and she's hot as hell but the girl asks a lot of damn questions. Questions I don't want to answer. But when she's gone, I miss her like you wouldn't believe. Sometimes I'll make the house extra messy just so she'll stay longer. It's pathetic, I know, but this is what I've become.
I'm Ethan Baxter. And I'm barely holding on.
CHAPTER ONE
Ethan
"Watch out, babe," I say as Kasey crawls on my lap in the back seat of the white Suburban. "You don't want to damage the goods."
She smiles, a lazy, drunk smile. "If I do any damage, I promise to kiss it and make it better."
I press my mouth to hers, and when she parts her lips, I taste the whiskey on her tongue. We just left a party and were downing shots like there's no tomorrow.
"What else you gonna do to me?" I ask.
Her mouth moves to my ear and she whispers the answer, every dirty detail. Looks like I made the right choice tonight.
When I first saw Kasey at the party, she looked all sweet and innocent in her pink cardigan sweater, tiny white t-shirt, and short black skirt. She looked like the virgin co-ed, waiting to be deflowered. But her eyes told a different story. She spotted me as soon as I walked in and gave me a look that told me she'd make my night if I gave her the chance. And from her words just now, I'm glad I did. This girl isn't one to hold back and neither am I. It's going to be a good night.
She hikes up her skirt and sinks down on my crotch, grinding against me. I'm straining against my jeans, ready to burst.
"Hurry your ass up," I yell at Jason as he gets in the front seat. "We need to get to the cabin."
He fumbles with the keys, trying to get them in the ignition. It makes me wonder if he's not sober enough to drive. He said he was fine but I saw him take a shot right before
we left the party and I know he had a few beers before that.
I lean forward toward Jason. "You sure you're good to drive?"
"Yeah, Dad, I'm good," he says sarcastically.
"Just a question, asshole." I nudge the back of his seat with my knee. "Don't need to get all bent out of shape over it."
Lyndsay runs out of the frat house where the party's going on and hops in the front seat next to Jason. "Are we leaving or what?"
He leans over and kisses her. "We couldn't exactly leave until you were done in the bathroom."
She smiles. "I was fixing my makeup."
"You don't need makeup." He kisses her again.
"We seriously need to get going," I say to Jason as Kasey undoes my belt. "Otherwise I'm going to be doing shit back here I'm pretty sure you don't want me doing."
Jason's head whips back as he puts the car into drive. "You get any bodily fluids back there and you'll be buying me a new Suburban."
I laugh. He's obsessed with keeping this thing clean. If he ever got a scratch on it, he'd have a damn heart attack.
"I'm not kidding, man." He takes off down the road. "I'm keeping my eye on you." He glances at me in the rearview mirror but all he can see is the back of Kasey, who continues to grind into my lap, her hand now down my jeans.
"Slow down," I say, pulling her hand away.
"Why?" She pouts. "You don't like it?"
I nod toward Jason. "He wasn't kidding. He'll kill me if we do anything back here."
The Suburban is Jason's baby. He loves it about as much as he loves Lyndsay, his girlfriend of almost three years. They met at freshman orientation and have been together ever since. The guys on the team always give him shit, saying he's missing out on all the girls ready and willing to give themselves to him. He's our star running back so girls are always trying to get with him, hoping to lure him away from Lyndsay. But he's never cheated on her. He's loved her since the day they met, and now he's talking about marriage, saying he's going to propose next year.
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