by Jolie Day
I laughed now. “What could possibly make you say that?”
She just shrugged and started moving her shoulders to the music.
“Let’s finish the drink, and then we’re out of here.”
She was up before I could protest. “But we just arrived” is what I wanted to communicate to her, but honestly, I was not unhappy to leave. I really just wanted to go home. Juliette grabbed my hand, and I almost spilled my drink as I juggled the glass as well as my clutch bag. She didn’t let go while she swerved through groups of people, all the way over to the exit.
“Come on, love,” she said. “It’s time. Let’s get going. Hurry. It’s a school night, after all.”
“Okay!” Juliette was the best friend in the world. I knew she’d understand. I was feeling eternally grateful that my friend knew me so well and could pick up on my moods. Juliette had my back no matter what and supported my ideas. I made a mental note. We’d celebrate the campaign launch and her success another time—in the UK! I’d invite her there, for sure.
We got our coats and pulled them around us, running in full rain out to a cab that stood waiting outside the door in a row of other cabs.
“Thanks, Jules,” I said after we hopped in, slightly out of breath and dripping wet from the rain. “But it was really fun. Short, but fun. I’m so glad we did it.”
“Any time, love. It’s always great to shake your booty a little, drink half a drink, and then get the hell out of there.”
In the back seat, I pulled out my phone, ready to look for flights.
She bumped her shoulder to mine, glancing at my phone. “And don’t you even think about taking a plane tonight. Put your phone down. Now. Don’t book anything. At least sleep on it. Okay?”
“Okay…” I pocketed my phone. I didn’t want to upset Jules any more than necessary. I’d resume the search later.
The cab arrived at my place, right across from Central Park.
It was a beautiful old European-style building. The place looked old but was actually very new. I’d been so impressed when the agent showed it to Mr. Sanford and me that I’d almost made my decision then and there. Daisy and I were on the top—the 10th floor—with big windows that framed the park beautifully.
Juliette bid me farewell with a kiss on my cheek, and I kissed her cheek right back.
“I love you.”
“I love you more. Have a good evening,” she said.
I jumped out, rushing through the heavy rain and into the warm, quiet lobby. With a sigh, I dropped my happy act.
An immense sadness washed over me instantly.
Once I walked over to the elevator, leaving small drops of water on the marble floor, I pressed the button.
Waiting, I could only think of the lobby in my old building, where I’d met him. I even missed the old crappy elevator. Wait. No, I didn’t. It was a piece of junk. I was clearly going crazy.
Wushhh.
The brand-new elevator doors opened, and I stepped inside.
As soon as I was inside, I heard someone else open the lobby doors and walk in. I stood back, pressed the 10th floor button quickly, twice, and let the elevator doors close—not wanting to engage with a stranger right now.
Come on, close! Close! I pleaded to the elevator gods before the person could reach me.
But they stuck their arm out, catching the door before it closed.
Urgh.
What is it with me and elevators?
When I looked up, I thought my eyes were deceiving me. My heart began racing. I hadn’t had that much to drink, had I? Just that half a cocktail.
No. I wasn’t going crazy.
The sight in front of me was real.
Before me stood a drenched, drop-dead gorgeous, Miles Humphries.
“You’re wet,” he said simply.
44
MILES
I stood holding the elevator door, staring at Rose. The long coat that she was wearing, and her hair were dripping from the rain, and my heart was pumping double-time at the sight of her. Her coat hung open in front. She was wearing a little black dress underneath.
“You’re wet,” I said simply.
When she saw me, her mouth fell open.
She stared at me like I was a fucking Fata Morgana.
Then, momentarily, I saw happiness—her eyes lit up—before her face dropped again.
“Miles,” she uttered, “How did you find me? What are you doing here?”
“I’ve moved to the same floor as you.”
Her eyebrows shot up to her hairline, and her eyes widened.
“I’m kidding. I’m kidding,” I said, “I saw a bus with your campaign. It looks great, by the way. Congratulations. My assistant found Juliette, I called her, and she gave me your new address. That’s how I found you. And now, I’ve got a proposal for you.”
“Miles, the last thing I need right now is another of your proposals.” She shifted to look away from me, scowling. “I asked you specifically to not look for me. Haven’t you read my letter? Please, just leave.”
“You don’t want me to leave.”
I stepped into the elevator, reached out, and turned her face back to mine.
Wushhh.
The doors closed behind me.
“Wrong. I do want you to leave,” Rose said, holding her head high. “I’m not going to listen. You can’t force me. Na-ah.”
She stared deeply into my eyes, and I stared right back into hers.
The car lifted off.
“Two minutes,” I said. “Give me two minutes of your time. And I promise that I’ll never bug you again.”
“You’re not coming into my apartment.” She shook her head.
“I don’t want to come into your apartment.” I turned around, hitting the emergency stop.
The elevator jerked, then stopped moving. I stepped forward to catch Rose in case she stumbled. The light remained on. Rose held the wall, frowning deeply at me.
“Miles! You’ll get me into trouble with—”
“I don’t give a fuck,” I said. “I’ll tell them it was my fault. Who cares? Just listen to me. I will not leave before you listen to all I have to say. All right? We can stay here all night for all I care.”
“Fine! What do you want?”
“You.”
Her eyelashes fluttered. “Wha—?”
I looked down at her, standing closer now, and she fell silent.
I fell silent, too.
It was the look in her eyes.
Only she looked at me like that. There was love in her eyes. It was obvious. How had I not seen that before?
God, I’d missed her. “You heard me,” I finally rumbled.
She let go of the wall and folded her arms across her chest. “Just say what you have to.”
“Rose, I went to see my dad. I told him about the deal.”
Rose opened her mouth to say something, but I stopped her with a lifted hand.
“You were right,” I said. “About everything. I knew life was short, and I wanted to experience everything I possibly could and have my freedom. But I realized you were the reason I was finally able to get rid of my demons, my nightmares, and to be the man I always wanted to be, finally to feel free. I don’t think love and romance are bullshit. I used to think that, yeah, but that was because I was broken, Rose. You’re the first girl that’s touched my heart. The first girl who’s made me feel something. You freed me from the pain.”
Rose stood still, and her eyes were beginning to water.
“Of all of the dumb, idiotic, and regrettable things I’ve done, the worst was letting you leave without telling you that I love you.”
She stood, shocked. A tear spilled from her eye.
“And how much I need you.”
“Miles, no, you—”
“No, don’t push me away, come here. You told me in your letter that you’re in love with me, and I’m not letting it go. I love you, Baby. I want to be with you. Forever. I want to share my life with you. I want to spend every nig
ht with you, and I want to grow old with you. The past six months proved that to me: you mean more to me than life, more than a stupid trust fund. I want you to be mine. Rose, I need you. I want you. Only you.”
More and more tears began rolling down her flushed cheeks, and she lifted her hands to wipe her eyes. I took the chance to get down on one knee, and pulled the ring box from my pocket.
“Rose.”
She sniffed and opened her eyes, looking down at me. Her eyes widened, and she gasped. “Miles! What are you doing?”
“I know this isn’t our elevator. But it is an elevator, and it’ll have to do. Remember how you told me a proposal needs to be personal, like an inside joke?”
She nodded with surprise. “Yeah,” she said, breathlessly. “You remembered.”
“Of course, I remember. I remember everything. My proposal, Rose, is that you marry me and make me the happiest man alive. For real, this time. And in return, I’ll make you the happiest woman in the world. I promise. Please, Rose Taylor, will you marry me?”
“This is crazy, Miles…”
“It is. We’ve fallen in love, and I’ll be damned if I let you walk away again.” I stared up at her.
“But—”
“No buts, woman.” I stood and took her into my arms. “Say yes.”
The tears kept streaming down her face. I lifted a hand and wiped her cheek, staring into her scared eyes. She was full on crying now.
“Shhhh, don’t cry,” I said, caressing her, and pulling her closer. “Baby, I’m shit-scared, too. But you know what? I’ll be there for you, always. I’ll provide for you, and you’ll provide for me. I’ll be your family, and I’ll be your strength. And you’ll be my family, and you’ll be my strength. And the next time Oliver gives you shit and asks you shit questions, I’ll kick his fucking ass.”
She giggle-snorted.
“Please, don’t walk away from me again,” I pleaded with her. “Our love deserves a chance. I won’t fuck it up.” I paused. “Pinky promise.”
Rose giggle-snorted again. Her laugh warmed my heart, my soul.
I took her cheeks into my hands, caressing them softly with my thumbs. Those wonderful cheeks of hers. My mouth pressed against them, down to her soft lips, and I kissed her tenderly. She felt like heaven. For a moment, I thought I might pass out from the sensation of finally being able to kiss her again. I cradled her head with one hand while my other arm pressed her body to mine. Pure euphoria rushed through my body, followed by the pure misery of hell—I still hadn’t heard her answer.
Releasing her lips, slowly, I lifted my head and opened my eyes. Rose’s eyes were still closed, but she opened them slowly, looking into mine.
Her eyelashes fluttered.
“Yes, Miles.” She whispered, almost silently, and the smallest smile began lighting up her lips.
What did she just say?
“Yes?” I whisper-asked back, searching her eyes. “Did you say yes?” I needed to make sure.
“Yes.” She nodded and began smiling.
I put both arms around her waist and picked her up against me, turning us in a circle—careful not to bump her against the elevator walls, or worse, her head against the ceiling.
“Yes? Jesus, woman. Don’t make me wait like that. I was dying here.” I kissed her. “I promise—” I kissed her again—“I will always love you—” I kissed her one more time—“and only you.”
“You better.” She snorted as I put her down again.
Feeling elated, I pressed my mouth to her ear. “I’ll never stop loving you, Baby.”
I still had the ring box in my hand, and I opened it for her now. Rose gasped and brought her hands up to her face. She stared down at the ring, and the red ruby shone up at us. It was an oval-cut gemstone with little white diamonds surrounding it on top of gold formed into a cute little cat’s head.
“You like it?” I asked.
“It’s perfect!” Rose nodded her head. “So beautiful. And it’s from Tiffany’s!”
I took the ring from its box. “Look at the engraving.”
“Oh my goodness. It says: ‘Sweet Cheeks & Ducky.’ Miles!” She looked up at me. “I love the ring. It’s so special, so adorable and exquisite,” she whispered. I slid it carefully onto her ring finger. “It’s better than anything I’ve ever imagined. Honestly, no joke,” she sniffed.
“You’re better than anything I’ve imagined,” I growled.
“I love you, Miles.”
She wrapped her arms quickly around my neck and lifted her head to kiss me. I enveloped her with my arms.
I hadn’t realized that love was one of the best experiences in the world.
We stood, kissing, kissing, kissing.
45
MILES
Hours later. Well, maybe half an hour. Okay, 4 minutes and 32 seconds seconds later .
Damn.
The experience?
One word: stormy.
We’d both blown each other’s minds, and I looked into her eyes before planting a soft, sensual kiss on her lips. She held my lips with hers.
I drew myself from her and let her down slowly, letting her legs find the strength to hold her up before I let her go. Still dropping sweet kisses along her cheek and neck, I softly pulled her black dress back down (not my favorite gesture).
She was leaning back against the elevator wall, catching her breath. The very same wall I’d just had her pinned against—nice and hard—having her hold on to me for dear life with zero chance of escaping, while wave after wave of contractions slammed through our bodies.
“We should do that more often,” I rumbled, standing back. I grinned at my disheveled fiancée, her face razor-burnt from my five-a-clock shadow. “You okay?”
She was holding back a smirk, while sliding her shoulder straps back over her shoulders. “Shaky. Really shaky.”
“Figured you’d appreciate it.”
She swiped my shoulder in a gesture that said “big head” without her actually having to say the words.
Still grinning, I put myself back into my pants and zipped up.
“Ready, Baby?” I asked her.
“Yeah.”
I turned and pressed the emergency stop, releasing it. The elevator sprang back to life, and we continued upward. I closed my shirt and did some of the buttons up, one or two were missing in the middle—obviously, Rose couldn’t help herself, couldn’t blame her—to hold it closed for the time being.
Wushhh.
On the 10th floor, the doors opened, and I stood in front of Rose in case someone was waiting for the elevator.
Thankfully, no one was there, and I bent down to pick up my jacket and her coat, peeking out.
“We’re clear.”
Rose let a long breath out. Just after she left the elevator, she raced back inside and picked up the sexy thong that was lying on the floor, before slipping it into her pocket and giving me a devilish smirk.
“Rats,” I mumbled.
She grabbed onto my arm, “Too slow, mister!” she teased and began hurrying toward her door.
“So, can I come over? Right now?” I asked her.
She turned her face to me with a smile.
“Fine, but you only get two minutes! Maximum.” She winked at me, pulling me with her, and I laughed.
“That’s all I need,” I growled.
I smacked her ass as she opened her door. She giggled delightfully, and we both entered her apartment, more in love than ever before.
EPILOGUE: ROSE
About six months later
Pop! Pop! Pop!
The sound of multiple champagne bottles being opened and cheers of celebration rang through the air. Miles and I stood in front of a small group of people—our family (yes, our! now my family, too! Yay!) and closest friends. He was wearing a navy-blue suit with a white cotton shirt unbuttoned at his neck, and his feet were bare in the sand. I had on a lacy white dress that hugged my body and flowed down to just above my knees, with a cute long train
in the back, a veil and a wedding garter. I was also barefoot with red toenails, matching my lipstick which I knew Miles liked so much.
We’d just gotten married, in Hawaii. The ceremony took place an hour before sunset, right on the beach.
Our reception dinner was well under way, and we were laughing as the champagne flowed from the freshly opened bottle and over Miles’ fingers. Grinning, he quickly poured it into glasses for us. We lifted our glasses to one another, clinking them before linking our arms and taking a sip. The smile we shared told me all I needed to know, and we kissed as whoops of excitement came from our guests. Miles wound his arm around my waist and picked me up into the air—just like he’d done on the elevator—his mouth not leaving mine. I did, however, spill my drink everywhere, and we broke apart laughing.
The group dispersed to get more drinks, to dance, and to eat. We didn’t want a formal event, no speeches (Oliver was disappointed about that) or first dances or any other traditions. After all, my father wasn’t around, and many of those traditions revolved around the bride’s father—walking her down the aisle, giving a speech, or doing a daddy-daughter dance. It only reminded me of my loss, so Miles suggested that we throw tradition out the window.
That’s what prompted us to fly out to Hawaii, and we turned the whole event into a weekend of fun. Besides Juliette and Miles’ family and friends, we’d invited Giovanni and Mr. Sanford and their wives, and the latter turned out not only to be the best lawyer in the world but also a regular at Giovanni’s, making him a true best friend in Giovanni’s book. To top it off, Mr. Sanford and Giovanni were hilarious storytellers, with a plethora of fun legal stories up their sleeves, and, well, let’s say, not so legal ones. Their presence gave our event the icing on the cake.
“Miles. Rose.” Mr. Humphries walked up to us with open arms, his wife next to him. “What a beautiful couple you make.”
I stepped forward and hugged him.
“Thank you, Mr. Humphries,” I said and pulled away.
He stopped me with his hands on my shoulders and looked down at me. “Rose, it’s ‘Dad’ from now on. You’re officially my daughter now.”
