“You were out for two days. That gave me lots of time to think.”
“And what did you think about?”
His gaze narrowed. “Lots of things.”
“Like what?”
“Well, for one thing, I really love my new business, and I think we could make it a real success if we work together. We’d both make excellent instructors, and we’re both passionate about fencing. I know we’re both crazy about each other, and we can’t deny the spark we feel. When I kissed you, I just...knew.”
“Knew what?”
“That I want to spend the rest of my life with you, not just two years to fulfill some stupid legal stipulation. That feeling scared the hell outta me though. I don’t do commitment. Still, when I thought I was going to lose you, I saw how much of an idiot I’ve been for not declaring how I felt and not admitting what I was really feeling. I want you and nobody else. I’ve imagined us living in the mansion, laughing and happy. I’ve seen you and our children chasing butterflies with us in the back yard. I can picture myself cooking steaks on the grill, shooing Oreo away from them. When I think of that, I felt content and happy. That’s what I want more than anything else. I started thinking about how wonderful it’d be to finally settle down with one woman I love, in our hometown. I really do love this place, and I missed it. I don’t want to marry somebody for money. I want to marry someone I truly love. And baby, that’s you.”
“Really?” I asked, shocked but also pleased.
“Really,” he said. “Screw the money. I’m willing to wait for you, no matter how long it takes. If you need a few years, then I’m fine with it. There’s no need to rush into a shotgun marriage for money. Let’s take it slow and plan a long two year engagement. And I’ll give you the wedding of your dreams. I know you need time to think, but I want you to know that I’m going to fight like hell for you. You’re more important than some stupid Will. Having all this
stuff won’t mean a damn thing without you in my life to share it with. Please don’t give up on us. Because when you love somebody, you don’t give up.”
“That’s so sweet. You’re fighting for me. Why?”
“Because you’re worth fighting for. And I’m never going to give up on us. Not ever. I know I could marry Marlene or some other chick and be filthy rich, but that would only leave me feeling empty and alone. When I’m with you, I feel joy, absolute happiness. Finally, after all these years, I know what I want, what I’ve been truly looking for. It’s you, Jaime. It’s always been you. I love you, I love this place, and I don’t ever want to leave. I just want to spend the rest of my life staring into your gorgeous eyes, because you are my world.”
“You love me?” I asked, my heart beating a million times a minute.
“Yes, I love you. I’m just sorry it took me so damn long to realize that what I’ve been looking for my whole damn life was right here in front of me. You were right when you said I’ve been blind. And yes, initially, I did come here for the money. But something changed when we started hanging out. At first, I thought it would be fun to con everyone and pretend to be married, get the money. But then things turned real and feelings got involved, and we had this amazing chemistry, this spark, and I’ve never been so attracted to someone in all my life. You’re my best friend and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
A tear dripped down my cheek. “Just me.”
“Just you. I want to spend today, tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year, and for the rest of my life. I want to spend every possible minute with you, and only you, the love of my life. How can I ever let you go when you’re the best thing to ever happen to me? I love you with all of my heart and soul. And I want that ‘white picket fence’ dream we talked about. I want the house, the kids, the dogs, the white picket fence, and even the minivan!”
“No, not the minivan!”
“Yes, the minivan.”
Smiling, he slipped a glittering diamond ring on my finger.
I smiled, and tears welled in my eyes as I glanced down to admire the stone, a one-carat diamond, beautifully set in a band of white gold. “Oh, Charlie, it’s so pretty, just...gorgeous.” Tears filled my eyes, happy tears of disbelief.
“You are the love of my life, my best friend, my soulmate, my lover, and my everything. Will you spend the rest of your life with me and be my wife?”
“Are you really asking me to marry you?” I asked.
“Yes.” He stared deeply into my eyes. “I’ve been waiting for two days to ask you that question. Please say yes.”
I swallowed hard. “I was out for two whole days? No wonder you look like shit.”
“I never left your side,” he said. “I just couldn’t. I was afraid you wouldn’t wake up.”
For a long moment, we just stared at each other. In that moment, for the first time in my life, I felt true love from Charlie, the kind of love I’d wanted to feel for so many years but never thought he could give me, the kind of love I had for him.
“We’re ridiculous,” I finally said. “All along, we kept fighting our feelings, like some angsty teens in a dumb CW drama.” I laughed. “If only we’d admitted the truth sooner.”
“I’m so sorry,” he said and kissed me sweetly. “I’m so damn sorry.”
I kissed him back. “Well, at least now your problem is solved.”
He leaned back with a quizzical look on his face. “What are you talking about?”