Chapter 7
1062 Words
Chapter 7
Running late made my anxiety spike, but it was ten times worse since it was Tuesday and I should have been at Michelle’s fifteen minutes ago. I blew through a yellow light just as it turned red, and pushed the speed limit for the last mile. Chase was waiting on me, and I knew he’d be worried. I was never late.
I whipped into a parking space, then bolted from the car, sprinting across the lot and to the front door. I breathed a sigh of relief when I stepped inside and saw Chase seated at our usual table. The way his face lit up when he saw me, a combination of happy and relief, made me realize a courtesy “I’m running late” text would not have gone amiss. It hadn’t even crossed my mind, so consumed with the thought of just getting to the diner.
I was out of breath but I jogged over anyway, leaning down to kiss Chase and offer my apologies with a hug as well.
“Sorry, honey. I got held up and I didn’t think to text. I didn’t mean to make you worry.”
Chase grabbed my hand and squeezed it, not letting go as I moved to sit across from him.
“Fifteen minutes is nothing. But since you’re never late, I was worried. I’m just glad you made it and are okay.”
I stroked my thumb across his hand in reassurance. He was all keyed up, anxious even, and I felt horrible that I’d made him worry that much. I did my best to soothe him as Michelle walked over with a warm smile and our drinks.
We’d only missed one Tuesday in the six months we’d been dating, and only because we’d taken a trip to the mountains and spent a week holed up in a snowed-in cabin. But other than that, we always made it. It was our one “without fail” night. No matter what else was going on in our lives, we had Tuesday night dinner to reconnect.
And our lives had been busy. Chase had gotten another contract for a law office downtown and had hired two more employees. My time had been taken by getting the battered women’s shelter up and running, and hiring dependable and qualified staff. There had been a several-week stretch where Tuesday was the only night we had together to do more than sleep.
A month ago, I’d brought up the subject of living together, but Chase had shot it down along with a loving smile. I still didn’t understand, since we’d spent so much time together and were completely in love. But Chase had insisted the time wasn’t right and I’d let it go. It still smarted a little, though. I wanted him with me all the time, and even though I didn’t doubt his love for me one iota, it hurt just a bit that he didn’t want to live with me. But I had faith that would change…in time.
I ordered the chicken cacciatore because it caught my eye, and Chase, of course, got the meatloaf. After Michelle walked away, Chase took my other hand in his, his fingers playing with mine. I loved that he had to touch me, and let him do it whenever and wherever he wanted.
“How was your day, baby?”
He seemed perfectly content to listen to me ramble on about all the roadblocks that had come up, determined to derail me. Every time I tried to draw him into the conversation, though, ask about his day or pose a question, he deftly steered the conversation back to me. And though he’d calmed down once I showed up, he was still a little off. Not quite himself. He barely ate his food. Something was going on with him, and I needed to find out what.
“Chase, honey, you okay?” I asked as I watched him push meatloaf around on his plate. He’d eaten only about half, so unlike him. Meanwhile, I’d finished all my chicken, despite having spent most of the time talking.
“Yeah, sure. Of course.” He sat back and caught sight of Michelle. “Time for dessert!”
I gave a playful groan. “I am too full for dessert!”
Chase looked taken aback, shock all over his face. I didn’t know why. I rarely, if ever, had room for dessert when we ate here. The portions were just too generous. Sometimes, I couldn’t even manage a bite of his dessert.
“But…” Chase floundered for a minute. “You have to.”
I squinted. “Okay? Um, why don’t we take something home for later then?”
“No, that won’t work. Michelle made a cake just for us! A chocolate almond cream cheese thing. We have to eat it here so she can see us enjoy it.”
I moaned. All my favorite things. I really loved all those flavors, and Michelle crafted the most amazing desserts. I acquiesced, knowing I needed to taste that. I was sure I could manage a few bites, then get a box to take home the rest.
Chase looked supremely relieved, and before I could ask why, he signaled to Michelle, who came out carrying a plate and a huge smile. My mouth watered as she set it on the table between us, the ganache oozing down the sides in a smooth, beautiful cascade and urging me to try a taste with my finger.
It took me a second to realize what the decoration was on top of the cake. I dismissed it at first glance as just a flower or something, but a second take showed it for what it was—a little plastic riser, with a platinum ring tied with a red bow.
Chase was instantly on his feet, then lowering himself to his knees beside me. He took my hand, and I turned my body to face him. He touched my cheek, and only then could I tear my gaze away from the cake.
“I love you. I have from the very beginning. Every day, that just gets deeper. You’re my heart, Eli Brenner. And I never want to be without you.” He let go of me long enough to untie the bow and hold up the ring. “Will you marry me?”
“Yes. Oh, God, yes.” I laughed and leaned forward, kissing him hard, feeling giddy. I hugged him so tightly, I practically fell into his lap. I squeezed him all the harder when realization dawned. “This is why you didn’t want to move in with me.”
Chase chuckled, kissing my hair. “I’d rather move in with my fiancé then just a boyfriend.”
I knew in that moment that fairy tales really did come true. I pulled back to look into his eyes. “And even better, I get to marry my prince.”
THE END
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