Page 70 of Waiting for Acceptance (Nashville Nights #5)

LAUREN

Marry Me.

Leave it to Fitz to not ask, but demand that I marry him.

“What?” The question comes out as a half laugh, half sob.

He slides out of me—because he would tell me to marry him while still inside me—and reaches over to his nightstand, pulling out a little velvet box.

My hand flies to my mouth, eyes wide with disbelief.

When he opens it the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen in my life sits inside.

“Marry me.” I’m not usually one to be left speechless, but that’s exactly what I am right now. How can I marry him? Knowing everything I know. Even though everything inside me is screaming yes .

“Vince, I ca—” Tears flow down my face as I shake my head and he takes the ring out, sliding it onto my finger. “You’re not supposed to do that until I say yes.”

“Then for the love of God, say it. Say yes.” I meet his eyes, swallowing past the answer on the tip of my tongue. “Every other circumstance aside, the company, my shitty parents, the reason you felt you had to leave me. If none of those things were in the way, what would you say?”

I’m getting kind of sick of crying so much.

But, even still, warm tears stream down my face.

“I would say yes. Without hesitation. I would say yes.”

“Then that’s all I need to know.”

“What do you mean? It isn’t that simple. You’ll lose everything, Fitz. I can’t be the reason you lose everything.”

“The only way that will happen is if you leave me again. Woman, when are you going to realize that you are everything to me. I don’t need this company, the penthouse or the stupid luxurious lifestyle if I can’t have you.

All I want, all I need , is you, Trouble.

What else do I have to do to prove that to you?

” I look down at the ring on my finger, that somehow fits perfectly, and my heart bursts wide open.

Knowing this is how he feels, that this is what he wants, my answer is immediate.

I look at him, biting my lip before I answer with a playful tone.

“Say please, Vince.” With misty eyes, he smiles, grabbing either side of my face.

“ Please . Please. Marry me, woman.”

“Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you!” I giggle and his lips land on mine, this time when my tears fall, they’re from pure joy. “I love you, Vince,” I whisper against his lips.

“Say it again. Say you’ll be my wife.” His forehead rests against mine, and I smile.

“I can’t wait to be your wife.” His arms wrap around me, squeezing me in a way that feels like I’ve finally made it back home.

“I hate myself for saying this, but we have to get dressed. We’re late.” He jumps off the bed, leaving me there gaping at him.

“ We? You didn’t even know I was coming. Late for what?”

“Come find out, future wife.” He winks at me and grabs his tie from the end of the bed, making my eyes fall back to my left hand.

I’m getting married.

Fitz helped me pick out what to wear, which I’m kind of beginning to love, dressing me in a black and white pencil dress, with the same heels I wore to his mom’s party.

It’s nothing to get too excited about, but I think the heavy diamond on my left hand is what’s making me feel invincible today.

We make it to The Fitzgerald Firm, and I’m not the least bit surprised to see the amazing corner office Fitz has, with a full city view in every direction you turn.

It’s exactly the kind of office the CEO of a company should have, and my stomach twists knowing he may be giving it all up for me.

“No frowning, Sweetheart. Today is a good day.” He winks at me, grabbing something from his desk, and then he grabs my hand, pulling me right beside him as we walk down the hall to the conference room.

Upon entering the room I’m shocked to see so many familiar faces—faces of people I’ve spoken to, or marketed with during the events Fitz and I have attended together over the last couple of months.

“Good morning everyone, sorry we’re late.” There are murmurs across the room, everyone seeming pleasantly unbothered. “We had some business to attend to this morning on the way in.” My cheeks warm as I fidget with my engagement ring.

“Meeting doesn’t start ‘til you’re here, boss,” one guy says, earning a sly smirk from Fitz.

“Ah, yes. What a perfect segway into why we’re here in the first place.

” Fitz takes his place at the head of the table with Frank directly to his right.

There’s a seat open to his left and Fitz motions for me to sit there, so I do.

Silently smiling at everyone else around the table.

“As most of you may know, effective as of yesterday, Frank has been announced CEO of The Fitzgerald Firm. My father has given him sole ownership of the company.”

“What?” I gasp, my eyes wide as I glance between the two of them. The smirks on both of their faces confuse me even further, but Fitz just winks at me and continues.

“You all know me very well, you have seen me work day in and day out to prepare to take on the role of CEO, but when it came down to it, Frank was just a better fit for the job… For now, anyway. Frank.” Fitz gives Frank the floor to speak, giving him an encouraging clap on the shoulder as the two of them stand next to each other.

“Thank you, Fitz.” Frank clears his throat and addresses the room.

“I was honored by Fitz’s decision to sign over the rights to The Fitzgerald Firm to me.

I've been here since damn near the beginning, and I’ve always considered this young man right here like family.

Watching this place turn into the empire it is has been…

well, downright mind-boggling. I have no doubts that Fitz knows what he’s doing, and that is why I have agreed to act as CEO for one year, starting today, and then I will retire, leaving the company to my acting COO. ”

Holy shit. The whole company is going to someone at this table.

Fitz takes the lead again, with a smile on his face. “The Fitzgerald Firm will keep its name, and our family legacy will continue, so long as the COO, and future Mrs. Fitzgerald, agrees to her promotion.”

Who?

Oh my god.

Does he mean…

“Me?” Laughter floats around the room at my surprise.

“Lauren, you are very extremely overqualified to be a sales agent. You have impressed every single person at this table, without even knowing it, with your knowledge and capability. The simple conversations you had with the people in this room, which you may recognize upon closer inspection, were enough to prove you are a perfect candidate for the open COO position. I have no doubt that within a year’s time, you’ll be ready to call this company your own.

If you want it.” Frank’s words sink deep within my soul as I sit with my mouth hanging open, likely still in shock from being told I’m being handed over a million, possibly billion, dollar company.

“What do you say, Sweetheart? You down for the challenge?” He knows just which buttons to press to get me to say yes, doesn’t he?

“Are you sure?” I ask the general presence in the room. Everyone, everyone , nods their heads in agreement.

“The board, the people in this room, have already discussed the matter, and we all agree that you’re the top choice for this position, but just to prove it to you, we’ll take it to a vote.

All those in favor of bringing Lauren Long on as acting COO for one year, with all intents and purposes to name her CEO after that time, raise your hand. ”

It’s unanimous.

“It’s yours if you want it. And not because of that ring on your finger. Because you’ve fucking earned it . You remember that, above all else.” My eyes fill with tears again and I’m thankful I chose to wear waterproof mascara today.

“I am so honored that every single one of you has the faith in me to do this job. May I have the night to think it over? It’s just been…a very crazy morning.” I laugh, raising my left hand to my forehead, unintentionally showing my engagement ring, causing others to giggle along.

“Of course, take the night. Take the rest of the week if you need to. The position is yours if you want it.” Frank holds out his hand and I stand to shake it. “I always knew you were a good fit for him.” He nods towards Fitz with a wink and I laugh.

“Wait…” I look over at Fitz, my brow furrowing. “What position will you have?” He smirks and looks back at everyone else.

“You all are dismissed. Thank you so much.” I narrow my gaze at him, wiping my face of any curiosity when people quietly congratulate me, smiling on their way out. When the room is empty, and the door latches behind Frank, I turn back to face Fitz.

“Well?” I ask impatiently, making him laugh.

“How would you feel about me running the ranch?” The surprise and joy on my face are immediate, followed quickly by concern.

“Are Gran and Pops okay?”

“They’re fine, I promise. Pops called me Sunday night, telling me that he’s and I quote, getting too old for this shit , and wanted to know what my thoughts were on handing things over to Lochlan. That’s when my wheels started turning and…”

“You told him you’d do it.” The admiration on my face is clear as I smile at my future husband.

“Lochlan isn’t quite ready to take it all on by himself, but I know he could get there eventually.

I know it’s a bit of a commute between the ranch and the office, but I know some really great people in real estate, and we could find a house somewhere between them—” I put my finger to his lips, stopping him from rambling.

“We can worry about the details later. You’re going to run the ranch!” He smiles so wide I think his cheeks might crack.

“Yeah?” he asks, wrapping his hands around my waist.

“Yeah!” He picks me up, spinning me around in an embrace before planting my feet carefully back on the ground.

“Have I told you lately that you’re my favorite person in the world?”

I scrunch my face. “I don’t think you’ve ever said that, actually, and I need you to start saying it more often,” I tease him.

“I love you, Trouble.”

“I love you, too, Cowboy .” He rolls his eyes and I grab his cheeks with one hand. “Do I need to give you a reason to make those icy blue eyes roll, Vince?”

“Please, god, yes,” he groans, burying his face in my neck and making me laugh.

“What a day. I got engaged, got the biggest promotion of my life, and found out I’m marrying a cowboy, not a millionaire.”

“Billionaire.”

“ What?!”

“Thoughts?” He raises a brow at me.

I let out an exasperated breath. “I need a taco.”

“Not in those shoes, you don’t.”