Page 71 of Waiting for Acceptance (Nashville Nights #5)
FITZ
Today went better than I could have ever imagined.
It’s been a whirlwind of emotions ever since I opened the door to see her standing in front of me.
From her saying she shouldn’t be there, to saying she would be my wife, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
We wouldn’t be us if there wasn’t a little push and pull before finally giving in to what we wanted, and knowing she wants to be my wife makes everything that got us here worth it.
We walk down the sidewalk, her right arm wrapped around my left, while she holds her hand out and stares at her ring. “It looks sort of like an antique mirror,” she says, looking up at me and I smirk.
“Do you like it?” I stop, turning to face her and she does the same.
“I love it. It’s beautiful.” Her eyes are practically sparkling as she smiles at me.
I lean down and kiss her nose, making her giggle. “So are you going to FaceTime them, send a photo, or should we be packing for a flight to surprise them?” I raise a brow and she bites her lip.
“Ok, I have a plan.” She pulls me to the side of the sidewalk getting us out of the way of the passersby and pulls out her phone.
“Stand right here and don’t move.” I’m off to the side and I watch in amusement as she fluffs her hair, adjusts her ring, and then clicks into the group chat to FaceTime them all at the same time.
“Finally! I haven’t heard from you since you landed. Are we kicking ass or what?” I peek around to see Leah on screen first. Shane, Ruby, and Taylor join soon after and all greet her with concern.
“Is everything okay? Did you guys work it out?” I see Lauren’s throat work as she swallows.
“I’m officially not his girlfriend anymore.
” I watch as she puts on the performance of a lifetime, and the girls all gasp, saying how sorry they are and asking if she’s okay, then the most beautiful smile spreads across her face and she turns around, allowing me in the frame with her, as she holds her ring finger up to the camera.
“Because I’m his FIANCéE!” she yells, as screams break out from every end of the call.
“You bitch! You had me ready to sick Tank on him,” Ruby yells.
I lean closer to the phone. “Please don’t. I haven’t recovered from the first time he beat my ass. But don’t tell him that.”
“Too late, Lucy. I’m right here.” Tank’s face enters the screen with a big ass grin.
“Of course you are.”
“Congratulations you two,” he says, before disappearing again.
“Thank you!” Lauren calls back.
“Oh my god, let me see it again,” Shane says, holding her fingers against her lips. Lauren holds her finger up to show them.
“So, when are you coming home? We need to celebrate!” Taylor claps her hands together and Lauren smiles.
“I’m not sure. Fitz has some work stuff to handle here so I may just stay with him for a while. I’ll be back in time for my birthday, we can make it a double celebration!”
“Ok, fine! Well, I better see pics of this on your feed ASAP so I can stare at it a little more.” Lauren laughs and agrees before everyone shouts their congratulations one more time and hangs up. Lauren lets out a happy sigh, sliding her phone back into her purse.
“You didn’t tell them about the job offer,” I say, raising a brow at her. She bites the corner of her lips and a look of conflict washes over her.
“I’m not ready yet. Because telling them about the job means telling them I’m moving almost a thousand miles away.” I wrap my arms around her and kiss the top of her head to comfort her, trying to fight a smile.
“So, you’re taking the job?”
She pulls away, looking up at me as her head nods. “I’m taking the job.”
“I’m so fucking proud of you, baby. You’re going to make an amazing COO.”
She bites her lip, her eyes soft on mine. “I’m proud of you too, Vince.”
She has no idea what those words do to me.
“Let’s get some food, future wife.” I wink at her and we turn to continue the way we were headed earlier, only to run straight into Jessica with a couple of her friends. Her mouth is hanging open like she’s trying to catch flies.
“Future what? ”
Guess the news that she won’t hold that title hasn’t reached her yet.
“ W-I-F-E ,” Lauren says slowly, drawing out each letter, and a chuckle slips from my lips before I can stop it. She rubs my arm with her left hand and Jessica’s eyes fall to her ring. I take Lauren’s hand in mine and kiss it, winking at her before turning back to Jessica.
“Have a lovely day, ladies.” Lauren smirks at her and we walk around them.
I’ll let my parents deal with the fallout with the Vanderbilts, seeing as how they’re the ones who started that shit to begin with.
I regret ever having anything to do with Jessica, but how was I supposed to know what one summer hookup would turn into my parents thinking we were end game?
No, the woman on my arm who lights up my entire life, she’s it for me.
I begin and end with the love we share, and if I were to ever lose that, I am convinced I would lose myself.
She taught me that I am capable of loving and being loved for exactly who I am.
The good, the dark, and the terrible. Because the right person will always look beneath it all, and light you up from the inside out. She’ll always be the sun to me.