Page 50 of Third Time Lucky

‘Speak of the devil,’ Tanner says, lifting his hand to earn the bartender’s attention, silently ordering another of whatever he left at the bar after Aaron moved in. ‘What’s he say?’

‘That he misses me,’ I say. ‘We had a “disagreement” recently. I’ve been a little distant because of the whole “almost married” thing.’

‘Go to him,’ Tanner suggests, motioning me toward the door. ‘I’ll stay and watch Madi, just in case, but they look like they’ve resolved things too, so…’

I glance over and see Madi and Aaron have locked lips.

‘You don’t mind?’

‘Nah, I could use a couple more drinks, honestly. No big deal.’

‘Tanner, thank you. You’re a godsend.’

And that’s my cue, so I shoot Madi a text telling her, ‘Congratulations!’ and I’m leaving. I practically run to my car so I can get home and say the words my heart needs me to say.

* * *

‘Hello?’ Setting my purse down on the table, I call out into the quietness. But there’s no response from anyone. Damn it. I wondered why Ash’s SUV wasn’t out front. He left.

Suddenly, Mitzi appears from the dimly lit kitchen, her housecoat wrapped tightly around her and a bottle of water in hand.

‘Good evening, dear,’ she greets me warmly.

‘Where’s Ash?’ I ask, knowing for sure he’s not here if this is her outfit.

‘He left after dinner.’

I exhale a guttural sigh. ‘He didn’t stay to prep?’

Mitzi’s smile softens even more. ‘I’m pretty sure he does that just to spend more time with you, darling.’

‘Well, I needed to talk to him,’ I tell her.

‘I know,’ she says as if she does indeed know, but I didn’t tell, so it had to be Ash. ‘He left something for you in your room.’

My stomach flips with excitement. I hope it’s himself. I rush past Mitzi toward my room like a teenager in love and push open the door, but the room is dark. I flip on a light near my bed, and as the soft glow fills the room, my eyes land on a bouquet and a handwritten note resting on my bed.

I grab the note, written on a simple piece of white lined paper torn from a spiral notebook. Anticipation buzzes through me as I delicately unfold it and reveal a page half-filled with his handwritten words.

Luce,

Originally, the card to these said, ‘I’m sorry.’ But when you didn’t show up for dinner tonight, I stared at that empty chair, feeling like my heart was missing and knew I needed more than two words – so here are many.

I love catching you admiring me with those beautiful golden-brown eyes.

I love that I have no idea what I thought about all the time before you.

I love that your smile lights up my world.

I love your laugh; your voice has become my favorite sound.

I love how you react to my food (or any food).

I love that you hold me accountable and make me a better man.

I love that I thought I knew what love was – until you.

I love that I’ve become a morning person because I can’t wait to see you.

I guess I’m trying to say that you stole my entire heart, and today, I’ve decided to let you keep it. I love you like the moon loves the night, the sun loves the morning, and if you let me, I will love you until the end of time.

Please call me. I’m not too proud to beg.

PS – I love that I’ve never written a love note – until you.

Ash

I sink onto the edge of the bed, my heart swelling with emotion as I read and reread Ash’s words.

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I clutch the note to my chest, feeling overwhelmed and incredibly loved in a way I’ve never experienced – he means every single word of this, and for a guy who claims to have never written a love note, he nailed it.

I reach for my phone, my fingers trembling slightly as I dial his number. The phone rings barely once before he picks up – like he’s been waiting for me.

‘Luce,’ he exhales with relief.

‘Thank you,’ I say, my voice barely above a whisper so he doesn’t realize he has me in tears over here – happy tears. ‘I got your note.’

‘I meant every single word.’

‘And I adored all of them.’

‘Also, you should know that Aaron and I had words. You were right; as a man, I should be stepping up when one of my friends, or my brother, acts like a jerk, especially if it triggers old wounds in the woman I love.’

The woman he loves – me. I think my heart may explode into fireworks if he keeps talking.

‘You did?’ I reply, feeling my heart flutter at his sincerity.

‘I did.’

‘Was it bad?’

‘No. It was needed.’

‘Are you busy right now?’ My nerves start to kick in as I ask.

He chuckles nervously into the phone.

‘I’d drop the whole world for you, Lucy. All weekend, I’ve worried about you – us. I know you’re scared of all this, but you never need to be afraid of me. I’ll always choose to make you happy. I’ll do whatever it takes.’

My God, that is sweet.

‘I need to see you. Can you come over? Tonight??’

‘I’m leaving right now.’

* * *

Without wasting another second, I hang up the phone and rush to get ready. I quickly change into a comfortable yet sexy outfit, my heart racing with anticipation.

As I hear the doorbell ring, I practically skip to the front door, swinging it open. There stands my prince – the real one this time – looking as handsome as ever in a white T-shirt, jeans, and a white hat with blue stitching that reads ‘Loverboy.’ I’ve never been so attracted to someone.

‘Lucy,’ he breathes out, his voice filled with so much love and adoration that my knees are weak.

With a flurry of urgency, and before I can even react, he’s inside and pulling me into his arms. His touch is electric, sending sparks through my body as he presses his lips to mine in a passionate kiss.

He walks me backward, our lips still locked in a fiery embrace, and I melt into him. He trails kisses down my neck, igniting a trail of fire along my skin.

‘My God, I missed you,’ he murmurs against my hair, his words sending shivers down my spine.

I can barely form a coherent thought as his lips continue to work their magic on me.

‘I missed you too,’ I reply, my mind fizzing at his touch.

The door clicks shut behind us, sealing us off from the rest of the world. We stand there momentarily, our eyes locked in an intense gaze that might light the room on fire if we’re not careful.

‘I’m so sorry. I got scared,’ I admit.

He takes a step back, his fingertips gliding down the backs of my arms to my hands where he grasps mine tightly.

He shakes his head. ‘You were right. And when I realized that, I was terrified I might lose you. So, I want you to know, everything in that note is true. No woman has ever made me feel like you do, Luce. You should also know, because of that, I will never in a million years hurt you or let anyone else either. You never have to be afraid of me.’

‘That’s good, because I’ve realized I’m more in love with you than anything else,’ I admit.

His smile grows soft and adoring.

‘Yeah?’

I nod. ‘Hell, yeah.’

He drops one of my hands grabbing his chest dramatically.

‘Thank. God,’ he replies, before cupping my face tenderly with his other and planting another searing kiss on my lips that could send any woman to the floor.

He’s never kissed me like this. Until now, they’ve been sweet and longing, and this is passionately urgent.

I can feel the heat radiating from his body as he pulls me closer.

And I am on board with it. Every doubt and fear love has ever scarred me with fades away as I am enveloped in his arms. This man would never – in a million trillion years – hurt me in any way. I know it with every fiber of my being.

I eagerly kiss him back, reveling in the low moan that escapes from his throat. We cling to each other, lost in the intensity of our reunion, and I think this will be a long and satisfying one. And I am A-OK with that for the first time in a long time.