Page 35 of Sweet Tooth
I pulled her along to the stairwell, which was conveniently located right next to the food and drinks.
Now, I knew. Where we were going, was where I was going to do it.
24
Jessica
As we scooped up some chocolate, fruit, and drinks and took refuge in the stairwell, I could’ve collapsed in relief. Sure, it was a rush, walking into that beautiful room on Zane’s arm, wearing the dress he’d picked out for me.
But it was also stressful as hell too. The whole time, everyone had been staring. It felt like my every move was being studied under a microscope, critiqued and passed around.
“Sorry about it in there,” Zane said. “Maybe I should’ve told people I was bringing someone.”
“Don’t be.” I took a bite of the chocolate strawberry, delighting in the delicious mix. “I’m just glad we’re going… Where exactly are we going?”
“It’s a surprise,” Zane said as we finally made it to the top.
Opening the door, our destination was a surprise no longer.
With 360 views of the city, and even the Falls farther off, the roof was a perfect place to spend some time. It was also beautiful. And cold.
Zane took a deep whiff of fresh air, spreading his arms, and then taking off his suit coat and wrapping it around me.
“Want to sit down?” I said. “After yesterday, I’m pretty wiped.”
Yesterday, we’d spent most of the day skating franticly after Parker, who was zooming around on his new skates like a colorful madman. Thank God for Tamara, who’d organized a kids’ New Year’s party tonight and taken him off our hands. I loved my son, of course, but sometimes I just needed a break.
“Here we are,” Zane said softly. He’d sat beside me, only I’d been so deep in thought I’d hardly noticed. “Seven years later.”
“Who would’ve thought,” I said, smiling down at the lit-up city.
Glancing over, I found Zane’s head turned away from me, his shoulders stiff expanses.
I massaged them, murmured into his ear, “What’s wrong?”
Zane said nothing for a minute, then finally, “I’m afraid of messing things up again.”
“Don’t worry,” I said, smiling a little. “This time we can afford the Uber.”
Zane said nothing. I studied his un-budging profile. “This is what I always hoped for – what I always wanted for us. The two of us, together, successful. Happy.”
“We were happy before,” I said quietly.
“We were.” He took my hand, turned it in his. “But it was harder. And neither of us was where we wanted to be. And yeah, I probably made the wrong call. But I’m just glad it still led me to you.”
He delivered a kiss to my hand, and I sunk into his shoulder.
In my ear, he whispered, “Time for your gift.”
Now there was a little golden box in my hand.
“Zane,” I said softly. “You didn’t need to get my anything else. Everything you’ve done for me, for Parker; just keep doing that and you’ll never have to buy me another present again.”
“Oh, I plan on doing all of that every day for as long as you’ll let me. But I’m still buying you presents.”
I shook my head, looking into his eyes. “You’re amazing, you know that?”.
“You’re amazing. Open it,” he urged, kissing the side of my neck.
And so, I did. Slowly, with the whole city holding its breath alongside me, I unwrapped the bow and opened up the box. Inside was the most beautiful ring I’d ever seen.
I held it up close to my face, taking in the silver beauty of it, the inlaid green stones.
“As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to get it. I knew that it was made to be yours.”
He took it out of the velvet box and, just before he slid it on my finger, paused. “It’s too soon, isn’t it?”
A laugh burst out of me. “Completely.”
“But you’ll still wear it – the promise ring I should’ve gotten you all those years ago? You still believe in us?”
My other hand gripped at him tightly. “God Zane, yes. You’ve more than exceeded anything I could’ve hoped for.”
Zane’s face glowed. “Then put it on. I want to see my girl in her ring.”
And, as he slid it on and the cool stones licked up my finger, a tremble went through me. I extended my fingers out, held my hand up to the moon.
“Perfect fit.”
And then I sunk back, into his arms, into his safety. My man, my Zane. The one who’d never leave me again. We sat there together, not needing to say anything. The ring on my finger said everything.
Gradually, Zane started massaging my shoulders.
“Want to know what else is a perfect fit?” he whispered.
I turned to glare at him, although heat flashed between my legs. “Seriously?”
“What?”
“You’re going to ruin the moment with that?”
His brows flashed. “Depends; will you ruin the moment with me?”
My breath hitched. Our gazes met. My hands went to his belt as a smile clung to my face. “With pleasure.”
