“Oh? What was that?”
“It was a poster. It said Don’t focus on the what ifs. Focus on what is.”
“Meaning focus on what you have and not what could have been?”
He nodded. “Exactly.”#p#分页标题#e#
I dropped a kiss directly over his heart, nervous to ask the question, but needing to know the answer. “What do we have, Chase?”
He pulled me up so we were eye to eye. “Everything.”
Epilogue
Reese – Nearly one year later
I wondered if he knew what today was.
Chase didn’t see me immediately when he walked into the restaurant. I was seated in the corner of the bar, partially concealed by a couple sitting at a pub table. I stole the moment to appreciate the beauty of the man without him knowing I was looking. My man. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to how incredibly handsome he was.
You know how after a while even the most amazing things become familiar and you start to forget that the sight once took your breath away? Shiny things lose their luster in our eyes even though they still sparkle? Yeah, well, that never happened to me with Chase Parker. Even after a year to the day, he still took my breath away and sparkled every moment.
I watched as his sharp eyes scanned the room. For a second, I considered shifting in my seat to hide, just so I could take more time to appreciate him properly. My soon-to-be-live-in boyfriend was the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. He was well aware of it, too. His cocky, self-assured attitude only added to the list of things that made him attractive. Factor in wealthy, brilliant, and exceptional in bed (not to mention in his office, in the car, on the kitchen floor, on top of the washing machine, and most recently on the conference room table in my new office space), and it was no wonder the hostess was currently frothing at the mouth as she vied for his attention.
Finding me across the room, his gorgeous face softened, and he gave me the sexy, dimpled smile I knew was only for me. He strode across the restaurant, completely zoned in on his intended target. Goosebumps littered my arms as I watched his determined face. Reaching me, he said nothing, instead greeting me the way he frequently did when we went more than a day without seeing each other. Winding my hair around his hand, he gave it a soft tug and took my mouth in a deep kiss that wasn’t really appropriate for a restaurant bar, although that would never stop him.
I was still lightheaded when he pulled away and spoke in a strained voice. “Next time, I’m going with you.”
“You could have come this time. I told you that.”
“You also told me you would be gone two days, not five.”
I’d just returned from California this afternoon. Jules and I had expected to be in San Diego for two nights to pitch a new client. But after we signed that new account, the VP of marketing offered to get us an appointment with a sister company in Los Angeles, so our two-day trip wound up being a full five.
“I can’t help it if people want us.”
“People want you right here. The line forms behind me.”
The bartender came by to take our drink order just as an older couple walked up next to us.
“Are these seats taken?” the man asked.
There were two seats open next to me at the bar.
Chase answered, “All yours. I’m going to stand so I keep close to her anyway.”
The older woman gave him a smile that said he’d just melted her heart a little. I knew, because I wore the same one.
She took the seat to my left and her husband sat beside her. “I’m Opal, and this is my husband, Henry.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Reese. This is Chase.”
“Today is our fortieth wedding anniversary.”
“Wow. Congratulations. Forty years. That’s pretty amazing,” I said.
#p#分页标题#e#
“How long have you two been married?”
“Oh, we’re not—”
Chase interrupted. “Married anywhere as long as you. But today is our anniversary as well. Five years of wedded bliss.”
I looked at him incredulously, although I’m not sure why I was surprised. I knew of his penchant for stories, and today was our anniversary of sorts. One year ago today we’d sat in this restaurant together. Only the last time, my date had been Martin Ward and Chase had been the date crasher. It seemed like a lifetime ago. Just as I’d done that fateful night, I propped my elbows, folded my hands, and rested my chin atop them.
“Yes. Five years ago today. You should tell them the story of how you proposed, sweetheart. It’s a really good one.” I smiled sweetly and batted my eyelashes.
Of course, Chase being Chase, he wasn’t at all freaked out that I’d just put him in the hot seat. Instead, he looked pleased that I was playing along.