She squeezed her eyes shut then re-opened them. Disbelief clouded her mind. Why would Mariam go through so much trouble to ruin their relationship? How evil was that?
“I should have fired her a long time ago. She was lucky that was the only legal action I was taking with her. But that’s another matter. How have you been?” His voice was low, seductive and sincere and brought that familiar shiver of delight down her spine.
She’d missed him. She missed the way he touched her. The way he had made her feel in the past.
“Oh, Antonio. I…I don’t know what to say. I guess I should have verified the information. I guess-”
“You should know that I’m a man of class and taste. I would never send such a despicable message.”
She giggled. “By email or by electronic mail?” she said raising a brow to humor him.
He grinned.
Antonio then reached over to bring her body closer to him and he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. “I’ve missed you, Lucy. I’ve spent every waking moment thinking about you.”
“Then why didn’t you even call me?”
“Because, my dear, I didn’t want to bring this up but Mariam is good in an evil sort of way.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“She sent me an email on your behalf as well,” he growled.
“But she doesn’t have access to my account.”
“She hired someone to hack into it. That’s why I said I could have taken legal action but I decided that she suffered enough when she was plagued by a mild seizure shortly after I caught on to what she was doing. It was then I had realized she played both of us. But I don’t want to waste any more of our time speaking of someone who’s not worth a second of our time. I need you, Lucy. I need you in my life.”
Lucy glanced down not sure of what to say or how to reply. Heat flared up to her cheeks. She was so torn and confused. Would she end up being hurt again as she was demolished by Jeff? Would Antonio be different? Was she fooling herself by trusting him again? Could Antonio really be the one?
Lucy shot Antonio a wicked grin. “You should have known I would never write such a lame email.”
He chuckled.
“Listen, about your grandfather…”
“He’s recovered. Doc says he still has to take it easy.”
“So the wedding is off then?”
“Actually,” Antonio said, leaning into the breast jacket of his suit. “He told me to give you this when I see you.”
“What is it?” Lucy reached to take a card from him.
“A thank you card.”
Lucy opened the card and covered her mouth with her hand, stunned. A picture of Toni and Shelly, at what looked to be the registry office, both dressed in Fun Bird themed outfits. She fought to stifle a giggle. “It’s beautiful. I’m so happy for them.”
“They thought it best to keep it simple, given his…condition.”
“Are you okay with them…getting married?”
“I have to be. As you said, it’s their life, not mine,” he murmured, gazing into her eyes. He brushed his long finger on her cheek and Lucy shivered. Butterflies tickled her belly.
Then a loud yip from the nearby tree startled Lucy.
She turned her head and saw a gangly puppy tangled in a decoration of one of the trees. He was caught on a branch. “How on earth did he get there?” Lucy asked, dropping her clipboard and making her way over. Antonio followed closely and stood and watched her take hold of the brown, fluffy, four-legged beast.
“He’s so adorable,” she cooed and stroked his fur. “Where did you come from, sweetie?” Lucy paused.
There was a festive satin emerald green bow around its neck. Emerald green was one of her favorite colors. And Antonio’s too, she had learned.
She saw a little box tied to the chain part of the bow. Her heartbeat pounded in her throat. She opened the box and there was a folded card.
LUCY,
WILL YOU MARRY ME?
XX ANTONIO
Lucy almost collapsed into Antonio’s arms. “What?” She was breathless.
“I believe the answer should be yes or no, Lucy. Not what?”
Lucy giggled and snaked her arms around Antonio’s neck. She squealed with excitement!
“Yes. Yes.” She hunched her shoulders and gushed, “Yes!”
“Good. I love you, Lucy. I love you more than I love anything in this world. I hate to sound cliché, but you complete me. You mean the world to me.”
Lucy was overcome with emotion and tears of joy welled her eyes. “I love you so much, Antonio. You…you mean the universe and then some to me.”
Antonio gave her a grin of approval and got down on bended knee to complete the proposal. Lucy’s heart fluttered. Waves of happiness coursed through her blood. She was overcome and overwhelmed with pure unadulterated joy!