by Mia Ford
“It’s okay, I don’t mind. You can tell me all about it later. I’m just excited for you. I know how hard you’ve worked and how much you deserve this. And that’s just because of the business part, not what you went through.”
I laugh at that one, remembering how strange it was going back in to the office after all of it. I felt like a different person, like I wasn’t quite sure where my place was in the office. And not just because of the drama that happened. But because of Carter and me as well. Everyone knew and that was weird.
But as it turned out, everyone was fine and very accepting. It was actually really good.
“Well, I really appreciate you giving me a ride. That means a lot to me. I needed to have a drink before to steady my nerves.” I breathe deep, trying to steady my anxiety. “I kinda hope that we don’t win the award because I haven’t had anywhere near enough Dutch courage to speak in front of people.”
“Don’t you worry about that. You just come with me. I will sort you out.”
Abbi slings her arm over my shoulder, and she guides me towards the door. We say goodbye to Mom, hugging her hard, before we head out. If it wasn’t for Abbi, I don’t know if I would be able to get into that car right now. I think my zig zagging nerves would get the better of me and I’d run away.
But she is here, and Carter is going to be there soon, so my support network is all around me.
It’s going to be fine, I try my hardest to convince myself. I will be good. I do deserve this; I work hard…
Cameras flash at us, snapping up our image. It isn’t full on, like you see in the movies, it’s just a bit of business press, but I feel a bit like a celebrity all the same. It’s kinda fun, if not terrifying.
“You look so beautiful,” Carter gasps to me, yet again. He seems to be so struck by the way that I look tonight he can’t stop saying it. It’s actually really sweet. “I’m so lucky to have you on my arm.”
I squeeze his arm tighter, smiling even wider. “I feel lucky to have you on my arm too!”
“I just hope that I get to drag you up on stage tonight. I hope we win the award.”
The cameras stop flashing. At us anyway. They focus on someone else which frees us to go inside. Relief washes over me, I enjoyed it for a moment, but I’m glad that it’s over now.
“It’s just an honor to be nominated, you know. You should be glad about that.”
“I am, I am,” he agrees with me. “But I would be lying if I said that I didn’t want to win. After everything that we’ve been through, I just think that we deserve it, that’s all. We’ve worked our asses off, we’ve been through a lot, and we’re still here, standing strong. If that isn’t an award winning story, I don’t know what is.”
“It’s a sob story.” I roll my eyes. “And we don’t want to win on a sob story.”
Carter laughs and shakes his head. “Even now, after all the time, you don’t see yourself like I do.”
“No, I don’t know if I will ever see myself like you do.”
“That’s probably a good thing.” He kisses the top of my head. “Or your ego would be out of control.”
We get inside a really nice room that’s set up purely to scream luxury. It’s posher than anything I have ever been to before, and I immediately feel out of place. Like I don’t belong.
I glance up at Carter, but he’s fine. Of course he is. He’s rich, this is the sort of thing that he does all the time… or he probably did before I came along anyway. We don’t ever do anything fancy. We’re more in to spending time with one another, enjoying each other’s company. He smiles down at me and immediately seems to sense my discomfort. But instead of making a big deal about it and turning it in to a drama, he just pulls me closer to him and takes us to the bar to get a drink. With him by my side, everything will be okay.
“Come on, let’s go and find our seats. See where we’ve been stuck.”
“You don’t think that we should do some networking? Aren’t these events for networking?”
He grins. “I have spent all my life networking. I have always focused on business. Tonight, I just want to have a good time with you. It doesn’t even really matter if we win the award, as long as I’m with you.”
I squeeze his hand and follow him to the table, now feeling like tonight is going to be perfect. Every moment with Carter is always amazing, he just proves to me over and over again.
The evening rolls along nicely, helped with the drinks, and soon it comes to the awards. I enjoy every moment of celebrating the successes of other people. I also love all the drama that comes with it. In a way, it’s even better than the Oscars because people are more free to do and say what they want. People actually stand up and argue when they don’t win, putting down their competitors, which is hilarious. It stops me feeling bad for them for not winning, because it’s a lot of entertainment. Although if we don’t win, I won’t be doing the same.
“This is us,” Carter whispers with excitement as our category comes around. “It’s time. And I just want you to know that if we win, it’s all because of you. If I never started listening to you and changing things around, then things wouldn’t be rolling around as good as they are. I never got here without you, so it has to be you.”
I glow, his words really making me feel incredible. My natural instinct is to argue, to tell him that he’s wrong and that he’s the one who’s done all the hard work, but for once, I don’t. I probably won’t ever see myself through his eyes, because the way he sees me is crazy, but I decide to just take the compliment for what it is.
“Thank you, Carter. But that doesn’t mean I’m getting up on stage with you…”
“Oh, you sure are. If we win, then you definitely are.”
The announcer starts speaking then, silencing me from arguing anymore. I don’t think it’s one that I will win anyway. Carter is determined and when he’s determined, it borders in to stubbornness.
The nominees are read out, and my nerves get the better of me. I cling tightly to Carter’s arm, nestling in to him, needing every inch of him. Each business is incredible, but secretly I do think that we’re better. We sell more, we produce more, we reach further, we bring more jobs into the community…
But that doesn’t guarantee a win, I won’t forget that.
“And the winner is…”
I don’t know if it’s just me, but it seems like he’s being more dramatic this time around, taking more time over the answer. Carter holds me, his love flowing through me, his reassurance comforting me.
“Lace Owen Enterprises.”
I almost forgot that we combined our name until that very moment. As Carter leaps up, dragging me with him, I want to laugh and cry all at once. Who would have thought it? After everything, we’re now award winning, recognized for others by being amazing… and I couldn’t be happier.
39
Carter
Valentine’s Day… my first one that I’ve actually cared about since I got divorced. The first one since Raelyn walked into my life, and I’m excited about it. I’m really looking forward to it. The plans I have are epic as well. I can’t wait to see her face when she realizes what I’ve done. She’s going to lose her mind. I get a deep thrill just thinking about how she’s going to react. I feel like an excitable school boy with a crush.
Only it isn’t a crush, it’s a deep and powerful love that I never thought I would get to experience. It makes my past life pale in to insignificance, it’s almost as if it never happened and I didn’t start living until now.
I saw my past life recently as well. Anna with Daniel. They didn’t see me, but it didn’t matter. Seeing them looking happy together was enough. It proved to me that all of my guilt trip was a lie. It was all just a way to get money out of me. More money. I didn’t fall for it luckily, and its further evidence that I’m so much better off now. Now I have a woman who actually gives a shit about me and it’s wonderful.
“This is awesome, boss,” Gary says to me with a self-satisfied smile. “Y
ou’ve done well. You must be so happy. I’m happy for you! Glad that you could finally see what the rest of us saw.”
“Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you.”
“Well, your mom rounded us all up. She was insistent, so we didn’t really have a choice.”
“Plus,” Leon joins in. “We want to do this for Raelyn. After all, that she’s suffered…”
We don’t really talk about it anymore, it’s a part of our lives that we’ve put behind us. But every so often, someone will make a comment that reminds me how strong my woman is. She’s amazing, such a tower of strength, I am such a big admirer of her. The way that everyone talks about her just reminds me of my luck.
“Well, I hope that she loves this.” I glance my eyes around the room. “Do you think she will?”
“She’s going to love it!” Mom swishes into the room and smile. “You know, I wasn’t convinced that setting up a romantic dinner at the conference table in the office was a good idea, but now I can see that it definitely was. I can see your vision at last. And since this is where you met, it’s kinda perfect.”
“The center pieces, flowers, and incredible decorations help. Thank you for that, Mom and the rest of you.” I smile at them all in turn, giving them a grateful look. “But now it’s time for you to go.”
“I don’t think I should go yet…” Mom tries, but I shoot her down.
“No, Mom, I don’t want any audience when this happens. I want Raelyn to say yes because she actually wants to marry me, not because she feels pressured by all of your eager eyes.”
Mom raises an eyebrow at me. “You don’t think that she’s going to say no, do you? She loves you. She absolutely adores you with everything that she has. She will definitely say yes… and then it’s on to wedding planning. Which I am very excited about, I already have some great ideas, just so you know.”
“I don’t think that Raelyn is the sort of woman who wants a big fuss. She’s not like that, is she?” I don’t say ‘she’s not Anna’ but the implication is there. “And I already had that, didn’t I? And it didn’t lead to a good marriage. So, I don’t think we need your input into the wedding.”
“If you think about it, and remember accurately, I think you’ll remember that I didn’t want anything to do with your last wedding. I didn’t have any input at all. And that’s because I knew it wasn’t going to end well.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me?” I demand. “That information would have been well received.”
“I tried to tell you and you didn’t want to hear it. You must see that you don’t listen. You learn by making your own mistakes. I tried to tell you about Raelyn as well, but you didn’t want to hear it from me.”
I roll my eyes. “Okay, thanks for that, Mom, that’s really useful, but it would be great if you left now. I really need to get my head in the right place and I can’t do it with you all here. No offense.”
I don’t need to hear how Mom knows what’s best for me, like I’m some sort of idiot. I get it, I made a few mistakes along the way, but it’s all okay now. I’m finally happy and about to propose to the love of my life.
I pull out the ring as they leave to check it one last time. It’s an understated princess cut diamond on a white gold band, just what I know she would like. With Raelyn, it isn’t about getting the fanciest thing, picking out the jewelry that will get the most attention and that can be bragged about, it’s about something that she will love.
I smile, pleased with myself. I think I have done really well. This is different, it’s really us.
“Who would have thought it?” I ask myself quietly. “Falling in love again, after I swore that I never would. Being romantic again, falling in love once more… let’s just hope I’m doing it right this time around.”
Everything is in place, I know that much, but I check around the room anyway, just to be certain. The pale pink roses glisten in the candle light, the food looks as delicious as it smells, even I’m at my most dapper.
“Abbi, what are we doing here?” I hear Raelyn’s voice echoing through the building. “I’m all dressed up, I don’t want to be at work right now. I want to be out doing… whatever the hell we’re doing.”
“Will you just trust me already? God, you’re such hard work, Raelyn. You don’t trust me.”
“Well, I just don’t get it. This seems really weird to me.”
I can’t help but laugh. I can just picture her face now, all pissed off and cute. She’s so adorable when she’s annoyed, and I knew this would wind her up. I just hope that she’s happy when she sees everything.
“Oh my God.” I spin quickly when I hear her voice closer now. “Oh, Carter.”
As her hands clap to her painted red lips, I drink in her whole outfit, and she looks incredible. Her midnight blue dress clings to her curvy hips, there’s a sweet little dip which shows off her cleavage, her hair waves around her face, she looks stunning. If there are heels on underneath her dress, then I want her with only them on tonight. Maybe some sexy lingerie as well, because that would be hot as hell.
She’s gorgeous, she makes my heart run like crazy. I cannot wait to get my hands on her.
“I’m off,” Abbi calls out behind Raelyn. “I need to leave you two to it.”
She runs away quickly. She didn’t really need to go, but she does. I don’t think she would put pressure on Raelyn to say yes, but I suppose it’s better that we’re alone right now. I really do want this moment to be about just the pair of us. Me and the woman who I hope is going to be my wife.
“Carter, what is all of this?” Raelyn gasps. “This is… well, it’s just too much.”
“Do you remember when we first met here?” I smile widely. “When you were signing the paper work.”
“Oh, when you made a rude comment about me being a woman? Yes, I remember.”
“Sorry about that… I didn’t know then how it would turn out, did I?”
“No, you didn’t.” She smirks. “You just assumed that I would suck because of my gender.”
“No, it was more that I didn’t like being around women. I couldn’t trust them. After everything.”
“I get it. I do. I’m just kidding… but you were quite rude to me. I never thought that you would be the sort of man to do this.” She makes a sweeping gesture with her hands. “I mean; this is utterly incredible.”
“Well, I wanted to do something nice for you. I think that you deserve it.”
“The food looks delicious.” She peers over my shoulder. “It smells nice too. Can we eat?”
My heart pounds harder, I know that I won’t be able to eat a damn thing until I have asked the question. I’m terrified to ask it, even though I’m not sure why. I do feel like she is going to say yes.
“Wait.” I grab on to Raelyn’s arm, feeling a delicious shiver racing up and down me. That chemistry between us is seriously intense. Even now after all this time, it hasn’t gone anywhere. “Before we eat…”
“What’s going on, Carter? Is everything okay? You look really stressed out…”
I drop to one knee before her mind can wander. I know that she’ll head to danger, no matter how much we’ve moved passed things, and I need to make sure that doesn’t happen. She still doesn’t seem to get what’s going on until I pull out the ring box, then her eyes well up with intense emotion.
“Raelyn Owens, to me you are perfect. I hope you know that, I try to tell you every single day. You are the love of my life, the most important person to me. The day that you walked into my life, in this very room, you flipped everything upside down and changed my opinion on everything. You forced me out of my shell and made me see that the world wasn’t as bad as I thought it was. You made me see that love could be wonderful.”
Tears roll down her cheeks, and judging by the wetness of my face, I’m crying too.
“Raelyn, I love you. I didn’t want to be in love, but here I am, head over heels for you. I want the wor
ld to know that you belong to me, that we’re in love with one another, that you’re my wife. Raelyn Owens, I love you so much, so I guess what I’m really asking you is do you want to be my wife? Will you marry me?”
She doesn’t answer me for a beat too long. She’s too emotional to get the words out. But she nods a few times so at least I know the answer is a positive one.
“Yes, of course I will,” she finally blurts out. “I would love nothing more than to be your wife.”
“Thank God.” I pull out the ring and slide it onto her finger. “Because if you said no that would kill me.”
It looks perfect on her finger, and it means that a bigger part of her belongs to me. We’ve always belonged to one another but now we really are each other’s spouse.
“Of course I would say yes,” she gasps. “I desperately want to be your wife.”
“Well, I just want to warn you that Mom is already crazy for the idea. She wants to help plan the wedding…”
“Oh, let her. If that’s what she wants. I don’t mind, it doesn’t matter to me.”
I lean down and kiss her gently, my heart exploding with love. She’s so perfect. To say that, to include my mom in this, it shows just how well she fits in. I couldn’t have chosen a better person to spend the rest of my life with.
“You don’t know what you’re letting yourself in for,” I tease her. “But I appreciate it. I love you.”
“I love you too.” She grins. “Husband to be.”
“Mmm, I really can’t wait to drop the ‘to be’ part.”
“No, me neither. That sounds amazing.”
Our whole future sounds amazing. I can’t wait for all of it. Starting now.
Epilogue – Raelyn
One Year Later…
I glance at my engagement ring, wondering what it’s going to be like to add another ring to it. It’s been a long year and I’m really attached to this gorgeous ring now. I will keep it on forever for sure. It just symbolizes so much, it reminds me of how incredible our past has been and our future will be. The future that starts right now.
