Page 120 of Perfect Distraction
He took one of her hands and reached into his pocket with the other. “I hope you’ll overlook the fact that I don’t have something from Tiffany’s to complete our New York date. Later, when I’m a big-time attorney and have all my medical bills paid off, I’ll get you that little blue box. I promise.” He held up a simple gold band. “For now…this was my grandmother’s. She died a long time ago, but you would have loved her. She and my grandpa were married for fifty years. I know she’d be happy for you to wear this, if you want it.”
The hand he held trembled, and her other one pressed flat against her abdomen. She blinked several times. “Andrew…” she whispered.
He swallowed. Blood rushed in his ears, and his heart pumped furiously in his chest. He so desperately wanted her to understand what he felt for her, and he could only hope this gesture did that. “Lauren, there aren’t words to describe what you mean to me. It defies explanation. You are the most beautiful, intelligent, funny woman I’ve ever met. You make me want to be a better person, and you’ve been a pillar of strength for me through the darkest time of my existence. I don’t know how long my life will be, but I know I want to spend every second with you. Will you spend it with me, whether two years or fifty, and be my distraction forever?”
Tears streamed down her cheeks, and he hoped that was a good sign.
“Full disclosure,” he added. “If you marry me, you’re gaining a family. A big, loud, overbearing, get-all-up-in-your-business family. But also a loyal, protective, loving one. Every name in that card is someone who cares about you and wants you to be part of that. You’ll never spend another holiday alone. You’ll always have a home to come back to.”
She sobbed once, the sound raw and unfiltered.
Now that he’d spoken his piece—stumbled through at least some version of what he wanted to say—he suddenly felt the claws of anxiety building inside his chest.
Still, he couldn’t tear his gaze from her beautiful green eyes as she searched his face.
She lowered herself down to her knees, bringing her face almost level with his. A ghost of a smile formed on her lips, but her expression remained solemn. “In my entire life, I’ve never been so sure of anything. I want to be with you now and always, no matter what happens to you or to me. I have to know that you understand that. That I want this—I want you—however I can have you. As a cancer patient or a cancer survivor, it doesn’t matter. I want all of it, with nothing held back. I want all of you for as long as I can have you.”
He inched closer to her face and let go of her hand, sliding his fingers through her hair. “Is that a yes?”
Her lips brushed his as she nodded. “Yes.”
He smiled then, and he thought this must be how superheroes feel. A surge of energy flowed through him, hot and magnetic, and he knew he could do anything. With that one promise from her lips, he could conquer the world.
Together, they could conquer anything.
…
It was almost a week later when Andrew received the call.
“Answer it.”
Andrew didn’t move, staring at the screen of his phone.
“If you don’t, I will.”
His heart pounded and his breath caught in his throat.
“Andrew!” Lauren tried to snatch the phone from his hand but he pulled away.
He swiped a shaky finger across the screen. “Hello?”
“Andrew? This is Dr. Patel, how are you?”
“I don’t know, you tell me, doc.”
He heard light laughter on the other end of the line. “I have great news. Your scan was completely clear, no evidence of lymphoma.”
Lauren sat stiff as a board beside him, her eyes wide and locked on his face, searching for any sign of what was happening. He couldn’t quite smile yet, processing what Dr. Patel said, but his eyes drifted closed and he slumped against the back of the couch. He felt Lauren’s hands grip his arm. “Really?”
“Really.” He could hear the smile in her voice. “We will need to perform surveillance labs and scans routinely over the next several years. But as of now, you’re cancer-free. And the odds are in your favor that you’ll stay that way.”
“Thank you, Dr. Patel. Thank you so much.” They spoke for a few more minutes before he ended the call.
He turned to Lauren, her expression pale and concerned.
“It’s gone,” he said.
“It is? You’re sure?”
