However, Kay deserved to see who she was agreeing to stay with.
This was my gesture. I was giving her what she wanted. If only she would see that I was also giving her my heart.
* * *
Kayla
I dressed for dinner and arrived at the banquet hall early so I could supervise the last-minute preparations. The flowers and table settings looked perfect—mums and asters. Bidding paddles for the auction were put out at every table. At last, I was ready to mingle and greet guests.
I'd purchased several tables for key volunteers and staff from Flash, and one for my party—Riggins and a date, Harry and a date, Lazer and his plus-one (to squelch any lingering rumors about us), Britt, who came solo, Dex, also solo, a place for Jus, and me. Our table was right up front in front of the stage and MC podium. The head table, next to a table of hospital dignitaries.
After a decent interval for mingling and networking, and waiting for Jus, I gave the order for dinner to be served. Justin's place remained empty. I kept my chin up. Though that vacant seat was like the proverbial elephant in the room, no one, either at our table or elsewhere, mentioned it. The waiters served our salad. No Jus. They cleared his uneaten salad and served our entrees while the regular auction began. No Jus.
Riggins bid on, and won, a vacation to the Bahamas he didn't need and would probably never take. Britt won a fabulous handbag. Dex didn't see anything to his taste to bid on but promised to make a donation at the end. Lazer outbid a very zealous older lady to win a bracelet for his date, whose name was Amy and seemed very nice.
Dex, who was skinny but had the appetite of five guys twice his size, eyed Justin's steak. So I passed it over without comment. Dex wolfed it down during a ferocious cross-room bidding war on a set of pearl earrings and seven days in Hawaii.
We had a champagne toast without Jus. I got up to help with the fashion show and change into my ensemble. Backstage, I ran into Sophia and Vicki, who were dressed in their matching Mommy and Me clothes. They looked adorable.
I hugged Sophie. "I bet you two get a fabulous bid for your outfits! Who could resist you?"
"Is Justin here?" Sophia's voice was pitched high with childish delight and enthusiasm.
I kneeled to look her in the eye. "Not yet, sweetie. He wasn't sure he'd be able to make it," I lied. "Let's keep our fingers crossed he will."
Sophia pouted. "He has to be here! He promised! He's going to bid on my outfit. And win it so I can have it!"
"He did?" I looked at Vicki for confirmation.
"He stopped by a few days ago." She hesitated. "I'm not sure what he promised, or if he promised anything."
"He did, Mom!" Sophia got a determined look on her face. "He did! I'm not making it up. He promised."
Vicki gave me a sympathetic look. "See what you're in for? It never stops."
The diners were having fun with the fashion show. Bidding had been wild and enthusiastic. Britt was one of the fashion announcers helping the MC with fashion commentary.
"Next we have Sophia and Vicki modeling a matching mother and daughter ensemble in pink. Sophia is a frequent patient at the hospital and a nurses' favorite. She's wearing…"
Britt continued talking. But I'd stopped listening. The door to the dining room opened and Jus stepped in. My breath caught. His hair was stylishly cut. He was wearing the Italian suit I'd commissioned for him. It fit him like any cliché you can think of and better. He looked hot. And…his face was bare naked. Smooth as a baby's butt, as they say. The beard was gone.
My mouth fell open. From the wings of the stage, I gaped at him. He looked like the old, young Jus, only a hundred times better. A dozen different unnamable emotions swirled through me. This was the man I loved. And yet he reminded me even more of the old, geeky, sweet, college Jus, all grown up and filled out. He certainly filled out his seat in an eye-pleasing way.
My emotions were complex and hard to describe. I only really knew that I wanted him back. And there was a good chance the time for that had passed. He hadn't even wanted to have dinner with his friends and me. Not if I was there.
He winked at Sophia, pulled the pair of colorblind correction glasses I'd given him for his birthday from his pocket, put them on, and grinned.
Sophia had been behaving like a perfect little model up until that point. The moment she saw Jus, she jumped up and down, squealed, took her mother's hand, and pointed to him.
As if on cue, the whole crowd turned to see what the big deal was. A hush fell over the room. Everyone knew who Jus was.
"Sorry I'm late." His grin was infectious. "I don't mean to interrupt. Fifty thousand dollars for the outfits being modeled on stage." He looked around the room, daring anyone to outbid him.
If I knew Jus, he would be happy to bid higher.
The crowd's silence held like they were holding their collective breath. Heads turned. Everyone was waiting for another bidder. Riggins or Lazer could have stepped in. But they didn't. They let Jus have his moment.
"Sold to the stylish gentleman in the back! You have good taste, sir. Someone get that man a paddle so he can bid properly."
Sophia squealed again and jumped off the stage, running to him.
"And your name would be?" the MC said, though he knew full well.
"Justin Green." He scooped Sophia up and hugged her.
The crowd gave a collective "ahh" and erupted in applause.
Data barked in my arms and struggled to get free to go to him. I scratched her behind the ears and held on to her. "Traitor," I whispered to her. "Those two are going to be a hard act to follow."
Yeah, and it wasn't as if I expected Jus to bid on me. I hoped Lazer or Dex would at least do the honors.
Britt glanced at me and made a face. Our secret look of horror we'd used since we were kids. She tried to mouth something to me, but I couldn't understand what she was trying to tell me. I thought it might have been are you okay? I nodded just in case.
She cleared her throat, clearly rattled. "Next up we have Mrs. Justin Green and Data modeling matching rhinestone collars and pink ribbons."
I strode on stage like the amateur model I was, hamming it up. Blowing kisses and begging for bids shamelessly. Hey, I was the queen of our sorority on philanthropy day. I knew how to raise money.
Jus went to our table and shook Lazer's hand. He took his seat next to the stage. He set Sophia in my chair. A waiter served her a bowl of ice cream. Someone handed Jus a paddle. It was decidedly down and not in the bidding position.
Britt finished her description. The MC opened the floor for bids. A woman in the back bid first. "That will look adorable on my granddaughter and her puppy."
I was wearing a pink A-line dress that hid my tiny baby bump and pink kitten heels. Sort of a retro sixties look. Data had the rhinestone collar that matched mine and a pink doggy shirt. Which was over the top for a pomsky like Data, who looked more husky than Pomeranian. But still, adorable.
I was trying not to stare at Jus or give myself away by yelling at Dex to bid, for heaven's sake, bid!
Another woman bid. A few more paddles were raised. The bid went up to two hundred dollars.
"Come on! This is for the children, folks! Two-twenty-five, anyone?" The MC looked around the room.
No one moved. Not a paddle stirred.
The MC raised his gavel to close the deal just as Jus raised his.
Jus looked me in the eye. "One million dollars."
I gasped. The diners gasped.
The MC pounded the gavel before Jus could change his mind. "Sold for one million dollars to the gentleman at the head table."
Data barked, squirming to get down. Jus stood, jumped on stage, pulled me into his arms, and kissed me while Data wiggled between us and whined for attention and the audience gave us a standing ovation.
Jus whispered into my ear over the roar of the applause, "You look beautiful in pink. From now on when I tell you you look like a million bucks, you better believe me. Happy mensiversary, baby! I hope th
ey'll be many more." He took off his color correction glasses and put them in his pocket. "I love you. I'd like to try again."
I stroked his bare cheek. It was smooth and soft. "I hope there will be many anniversaries. Your cheek's so smooth. What? Did you shave in the lobby?" I had tears in my eyes.
"So?" He gazed into my eyes.
"Soooo? What?" I teased him.
"Can we try again?" His voice broke.
"That's what you really want?" I asked.
He nodded.
I nodded, too. "I love you, too."
He pulled me into his arms and helped me off the stage. I couldn't stop staring at him.
Vicki moved Sophia out of my chair so I could sit. Jus sat next to me, set Data in his lap, and put his arm around me.
After the show, the waiters began serving dessert around the room. A group of them arrived at our table, carrying the mensiversary cake I'd ordered with the bearded cake topper. They were singing, "Happy mensiversary, happy mensiversary!"
When Jus saw the cake topper, his eyes lit up. "Hey! That one actually looks like me. I mean, looked like me." He leaned in and whispered, "We seem to be working at cross purposes." He rubbed his chin and broke out laughing.
"It's symbolic." I laughed. "I think we almost have been all along. But not anymore. Let's not be at cross purposes again."
One of the waiters handed Jus the cake topper and began cutting and serving the cake.
Jus studied it. "This really looks like me! Where'd you get it?"
"Like the bearded you." I stroked his cheek again. "I had it specially made."
Dex grabbed it from Jus for a closer look. "Nah. This is much better looking then you ever were." He punched Jus in the arm. "Welcome back to your senses, man."
The Flash volunteers walked in with the cash box from the sale. The MC called Jus to the mic. He got up to present the hospital president with the night's earnings.
"I'd just like to say that tonight wouldn't have been possible without my wife Kayla."
I received a round of applause.
Jus gave a short speech and presented the money.
When he came off the stage, he picked up Data, grabbed my hand, and made our excuses.
He led me by the hand out of the building. Outside the hotel, he suddenly stopped and turned to face me. "Come home. Come home tonight and stay with me forever. I've been a fool. I love you. I want you and the baby. I want our marriage to be real.
"I know I'm asking a lot. We can never be genuinely legally married. We'll have to pretend forever." His voice broke with emotion. "I'd do anything for you, Kay. I will do anything. Anything you ask. Anything to make it up to you. We're safe now. In the clear. The ninety days are over. Just come back and be my wife. Come home, and we can talk all night if we have to to clear the air. Just come home."
"Do you trust me?" I asked, interrupting him.
"Absolutely."
"Okay, then." I smiled at him. "Take me home."
"Really?"
"Yes, stranger. But—"
"Yeah?"
"There's no need to talk all night." I stroked his cheek again. "There are other things I'd really rather spend the night doing."
"Oh, really," he said with a twinkle in his eye. "Like what?"
"Let's just say pregnancy hormones are making me horny."
He took my hand again. "What are we waiting for?"
"If you really can't wait, I have a room here for the night." I laughed. "I just can't get over how different you look. Like you, but like the old you. But not."
He smiled at me.
"Don't worry. I like it. Making love with you tonight is going to be like cheating on you with yourself." I winked at him. "The thought is absolutely thrilling."
"Shut up and come on." He laughed again. "I love you, Kay. Don't ever forget that."
"I know," I said. "I read your letter."
* * *
Two Months Later
Justin
I held Kay's hand as the obstetrician spread jelly on Kay's belly and moved the sonogram paddle around.
"What are you hoping for?" the doctor asked as she maneuvered the paddle. "A boy or a girl?"
"A girl," I said. "Like her mother."
Kay shook her head. "I was going to say either."
"As long as it's healthy," we finished together.
The doctor smiled at me. "You're in luck, Mr. Green. I don't see a kickstand. It looks like you're having a girl. And she has all of her arms, and legs, and fingers, and toes."
The doctor turned the screen for me to see. I stared at the 3D image of my baby.
"She looks like her mother." I grinned at Kay. "She's sucking her thumb! Damn, Kay! I think we have another Flashionista on our hands."
What’s Next and a Free Offer
Thank You!
Thanks for reading To Love and To Cherish. I hope you enjoyed it!
Look for Riggins’ and Lazer’s stories coming soon!
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Still can’t get enough of Kayla and Justin? Curious about Kayla and Justin’s college years? Get the Rushed Series and get a peek at what Kayla was like in college.
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Part 2—The Virgin Billionaire
Part 3—To Have and To Hold
Part 4—From This Day Forward
Part 5—For Richer, For Richest
Part 6—In Sickness and In Wealth
Part 7—To Love and To Cherish
The Rushed Series
Book 1—Rushed, Zach and Alexis’ story
Book 2—Crushed, Dakota and Morgan’s story
Book 3—Hushed, Seth and Maddie’s story
The Reckless Series
Book 1—Reckless Longing—FREE!
Book 2—Reckless Secrets
Book 3—Reckless Together
About the Author
Gina Robinson's books have delighted readers and received positive reviews in Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Romantic Times Book Reviews.
A voracious reader and fan of all types of romantic stories, she writes romance and women's fiction across a wide variety of subgenres—new adult, contemporary, historical, and romantic suspense. Her love stories are infused with a happy blend of romance, adventure, a bit of mystery, and humor. Readers are drawn to the light touch she gives even serious topics and the fast, fun, easy-to-read pace of her books. From college campuses to Seattle to Las Vegas to England, her settings become almost characters of their own, driving the story.
She believes in the power of true love and passion, and that every great romance should have a happily-ever-after. To get an email when Gina releases a new book, sign up to join her VIP list by visiting her website at www.ginarobinson.com
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