My heart slowly rises back into place as I wander across the lobby and slump into one of the armchairs near the fireplace. If Josh hasn’t checked out, that means he hasn’t left town . . . yet. I still have a chance to fix this, provided I can find him while I still have momentum. But first I have to come up with a better game plan than staking out his hotel’s lobby.
I pull my phone out of my purse and stare at it, chewing the inside of my lips. Then I bring up Josh’s number and dial.
Four rings later, I connect to his voicemail. At the beep, I plunge ahead. “Josh, it’s Marissa. Please call me back when you get this. I totally understand if you don’t want to see me again, or even talk. But we— I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am for screwing things up so badly.” I close my eyes and sigh. “That’s all I wanted to say.”
Seconds after I hang up, the phone rings. On reflex, I sit up straight and answer without checking the caller ID. “Josh?”
“He came here.” It’s Ava.
I slide to the edge of my seat. “Came where?”
“The boutique,” she says. “He came here looking for you, and he had a pod of reporters trailing him.”
“When?”
“Got here about fifteen minutes after you left. He stayed long enough to talk up our business to the press—which means we probably have to share some of the celebratory cheesecake with him.”
“Ava, focus. Is he still there?”
“He just left. Practically sprinted out when we told him you went to his hotel. You aren’t on your way back, are you?”
I stand. I know I’d be able to find him on the street if I left right now. “Not yet.”
“Just stay there.” She mumbles something, probably to a customer. “Call us later.”
The line disconnects.
Shoving my phone back into my purse, I fight the urge to pace and cross to the complimentary coffee instead. My hands shake as I struggle to pluck a disposable cup from the stack near the decanters. Four come free when I tug. Grumbling to myself, I pull them apart.
Behind me, the lobby doors open, admitting the sound of clicking cameras and the din of a large group of people talking over each other. But just as quickly as the noise fills the lobby, it dies into expectant silence.
The fine hairs on my arms and the back of my neck stand on end.
The disposable cups fly from my hands as I spin around. At first, I can only see Josh moving toward me, holding the most beautiful bouquet of red camellias that I’ve ever seen. But then I notice the gaggle of reporters that have followed him, their numbers swelled by a crowd of onlookers drawn in from outside. A dozen or so hotel patrons, who had been idly milling around the lobby, drift toward us as well.
Apparently I’m not the only one who saw the paper this morning, because hisses of, “That’s Joshua Mattingly!” filter across the lobby.
Josh comes to a stop a few feet away from me, breathing hard as if he’s just jogged all the way from Grove Arcade. A lopsided grin appears. “Glad I finally found you, Red.”
“I . . . I left you a voicemail.” I stoop and retrieve the cups off the floor, nesting them.
“I forgot my phone upstairs. Guess all I could think of was making it to your friends’ grand opening before it was too late.” His smile goes into high-test mode as he jerks his head in the direction of the curious mob, craning over each other to catch a glimpse of what’s happening. “I don’t think they minded the star power.”
Vaguely aware that a woman standing near the front desk has her cell phone out, I fumble to set the cups aside. The lobby is suddenly too warm. “I thought you’d be on your way back to St. Croix by now.”
He takes a couple steps toward me. “Didn’t you hear? I bought a house. It’s got good bones, as someone I know would put it. But it needs some attention. So, now I’m in the market for a top-notch interior designer.”
“I don’t want to play these games anymore,” I whisper.
“Then this will be the last one.” His smile disappears, and he gazes at me with complete sincerity. “Truth or Dare?”
“What?”
“Truth or Dare?”
Shaking my head slightly, I stutter for words. “I don’t . . . That’s . . . Truth, I guess.”
“Why did you run out the other day?”
“Because I was terrified. I let my fear talk me out of holding onto you, let it convince me I’d never be able to keep you in the long run.” My eyes burn, and I look down, clutching the strap of my purse. “And ever since, I’ve been trying to finally fix all the little things that have kept me running scared for the last three years. Even though I knew it was too late to fix things between us.”
“Are you sure about that?” He reaches one hand out to me. “Do you love me?”
Our fingers interlace, palms coming together in a perfect fit. The answer comes as naturally as breathing. “Yes, I love you.”
“Okay. My turn.”
The pop of flashbulbs from the reporters distracts me momentarily. Since I can’t seem to make my voice work, Josh takes the lead. He tightens his grip on my hand, drawing my attention away from the reporters and back to him. “Truth. I’m so in love with you, it scares the shit out of me.”
I shake my head. “Josh—”
“Truth. I introduced you to my family not just to show them I’ve turned over a new leaf, but to prove that the girl I’d been talking Mum’s ear off about actually exists and is amazing.” He moves closer, eyes gleaming as he presses the bouquet of camellias into my free hand. “Truth. I’ve spent the past three weeks burying myself in work to keep from thinking about you, and failing miserably. Because the life I’d been leading before you came along was boring and empty, and since I met you, my life is filled with light and laughter.”
A nervous sound, somewhere between a sob and a giggle, bubbles out of me.
But he’s not done. “Truth. I want that light and laughter every day and night, for the rest of my days and nights. And I don’t care who knows. I will take out billboard ads and television spots, embed it in websites. Shout it from the top of Chimney Rock.” He releases my hand and turns, flinging his arms wide as he faces the reporters who’ve edged their way into a semi-circle around us. “I am Joshua Mattingly, and I am in love with Marissa O’Brien!”
Eyes wide, I grab his shoulder and spin him around. “What are you doing?”
He catches my hand again. “Whatever it takes to make sure the world knows that you’re the one I’m with, and want to be with forever.”
Stupid, crazy, wildly happy tears spill over. “Are you—”
“Truth or Dare?” he interrupts.
An expectant silence drops over the hotel lobby. The reporters stand with cameras and voice recorders ready. More than one observer’s face glistens as they wait for what everyone knows comes next.
My own heart, which has been pounding for the last five minutes, calms in its rhythm as absolute certainty settles over me.
I’m not afraid anymore.
My lips curve. “Both.”
I can tell Josh is trying to remain serious about this, but his lips twitch as he releases my hand and steps back. He pulls a small box from his pocket and drops to one knee. My hand flies to my mouth, catching my little sob of joy, as he opens it to reveal a two-carat princess-cut diamond in a platinum Tiffany setting.
“Will you marry me?”
Someone calls out, “If she won’t, I will!” drawing a ripple of laughter from the crowd filling the lobby.
Hauling in a huge breath, I nod. Josh slips the ring onto my finger, then stands.
“I still need an interior designer for that house,” he says, grinning like a kid on Christmas. “Know any?”
In response, I fling my arms around his neck, shutting him up with my kiss. I
feel him smirking. But then he pulls me close, and I forget everything else—the dozens of people watching, clapping, and whistling, the flash of cameras, and the shouted questions from the reporters.
“Want to get out of here?” he murmurs against my lips.
Josh is everything. He’s mine.
And he isn’t going anywhere.
I smile. “Let’s go home.”
Looking for more “Sweet Somethings”?
Better Than Chocolate
(Sweet Somethings Book 1)
Three friends. A broken engagement. A surprise elopement. A big secret. A lot of chocolate.
Carmella Sannarelli is a people pleaser. She can’t say no to anyone, even when it means putting off her own personal goals in the process. So, when her best friend, Sadie Miller, calls with the announcement that she’s broken up with one fiancé and eloping with another in St. Croix, Carmella can’t stop herself from dropping everything and accepting the invitation to stand as maid of honor.
Jilted fiancé Ryan Wutkowski has been the third member of the Carmella-Sadie trio for nine years. He fully supports Sadie’s new engagement and upcoming nuptials, knowing it’s the right decision and best for both of them. But when he boards a plane to San Juan for a business conference, Carmella is the last person he expects to find occupying the seat next to his.
Two days in San Juan, then a week in St. Croix—Carmella knows her two best friends are hiding something. But can she figure out what went wrong between them as she battles her own tingly, off-kilter feelings toward Ryan, while dodging advances from a womanizing best man, and confirming for herself that Sadie did make the right decision? When Ryan unexpectedly shows up at the rehearsal dinner and gets himself invited to the wedding, will Carmella finally uncover the secret he’s held since the day they first met?
Available now on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/h3ymsgm
When in Rome
(Sweet Somethings Book 2)
Love isn’t always picture perfect . . .
Atlanta-based photographer Kate Miller doesn’t believe in fairytale romance or relationships of the forever kind. She’s determined to build her own happiness through hard work and professional success. So, when the opportunity arises to join an exclusive fashion photo shoot in Rome, she jumps on the chance to gain international recognition. But she’s not counting on an instant attraction to the charismatic, sexy, and irritatingly arrogant director of the shoot.
World famous, Domenic Varezzi is used to calling the shots. His clients trust his instincts and they’re willing to pay for the best. But while his career is thriving, his personal life has been lackluster at best. Hoping Kate could be the answer he’s been looking for, he’s determined to win her over. Every challenge she sends his way drives him to break through her tough-as-nails exterior to reach the vulnerable heart that matches his own.
Surrounded by the beauty and magic of Italy’s “Eternal City”, a foundation begins to form that could lead to a lifetime partnership, both in business and in love. Until Domenic’s past comes back to haunt the present and threatens to destroy everything.
Available now on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/j8rzlht
About the Author
J. Lynn Rowan started writing stories as a small child, usually starring her favorite cartoon characters. Most of her work through middle and high school was filled with typical teenage angst and melodrama, and usually mirrored the books she loved to read. But eventually she found her own author’s voice and decided to seriously pursue a writing career.
Historical fiction remains J. Lynn’s “first love”, but she has enjoyed the journey to becoming an author of romance and chick lit. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Central New York Romance Writers, and the Historical Novel Society. She is also a teacher who tries to instill a love of learning, reading, and writing in her students.
When she’s not writing, J. Lynn enjoys travelling, gardening poorly but enthusiastically, studying various topics in American history for her own expertise, and channeling Julia Child every time she steps into the kitchen.
A native of Oswego, NY, she now lives in Charlotte, NC, with her own Romantic Hero of a husband and the most adorable baby on the planet.
Find J. Lynn Online
Website: http://jlynnrowanliterature.wordpress.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JLynnRowan
Twitter: @JLynnRowanLit
The One I'm With (A Sweet Somethings Novel Book 3) Page 17
