Page 28 of Second Kick
I open the box. The cushion cut diamond catches the light. It’s sparkling almost as bright as the tears forming in her eyes.
“Jessica Hartwell, you’re the best thing that's ever happened to me. You’re my first thought in the morning, my last thought at night, and every thought in between.”
I take her trembling hand in mine.
“Marry me, Sunshine.”
The silence stretches for an eternity. She’s staring at me with tears streaming down her face. For one horrible second, I think I’ve miscalculated. But then she laughs. That beautiful, nose-crinkling, soul-healing laugh that I fell in love with all those years ago.
“Yes, I want to marry you. Of course I want to marry you.”
I slide the ring onto her finger and it’s a perfect fit. It’s like it was always meant to be there. Then I’m on my feet, pulling her into a kiss that probably shouldn’t be broadcast on national television.
But I figure if they’re already watching, let’s give them a show. Let the whole world see.
Five years ago, I walked away from the only woman I’ve ever loved because I thought I was protecting her. I spent every day since then regretting it, carrying a ring I thought I’d never get to give, and writing letters I thought she’d never read.
I got a second chance most people never do. This is me making the most of it. There’s no way in hell. I’m not going to waste this.
“Let’s get out of here,” Jess whispers against my lips.
“Where?”
“Home.” She pulls back just enough to look at me, and her smile could light up the whole damn city. “Let’s go home.”
I take her hand, my fiancée’s hand. We walk out of that press conference together leaving the chaos behind us. I’m not going out with a championship. Hell, I’m not going out at all. Sunshine and I are just getting started.
CHAPTER 17
DELILAH
@MagnoliaLandingSocialite 89.4K Followers
Transcript of Viral Video
BREAKING: NEW COUPLE ALERT AND I AM LOSING MY MIND
Y’all. Y’ALL. Put down your sweet tea because I am about to RUIN your afternoon.
So we all watched Griffin Callahan propose to Dr.Jessica Hartwell on live television. We cried. We screamed. It was the redemption arc this town needed.
But while we were all focused on Charleston’s favorite second-chance couple, something else was brewing. Something MESSY.
I’m talking about Landon Maddox and Vivi.
Landon is the Southern Knights’ most cocky tight end. The man has never been denied. He wins on the field, in the headlines, and pulls all the girlies.
And Vivi? She’s a bit of a mystery. She’s new to town. Gorgeous for sure. Curvy too, and from what I can tell, she seems completely immune to his charm. Yes Queen. At least that's what she wants us to think.
So imagine my surprise when I spotted them together looking very cozy at a Charleston gala last night.
But, here’s where it gets interesting…
My source tells me there’s a BET involved. The teammates wagered he couldn’t land a date with her.But something tells me Vivi found out about that little arrangement. And something tells me she’s making him pay.
Whether or not it’s real, they keep showing up together. They’re at galas, weddings, and every black-tie disaster Charleston throws at them. She’s wearing dresses that would ruin any man’s concentration. He’s making declarations that hit way too close to home.
So either this is the most chaotic fake relationship I’ve ever witnessed...
Or somewhere along the way, the game got real.
Either way? I. Am. INVESTED.
Something’s gotta give.
And when it does? You’ll hear about it here first.
