Twenty.
Joy
I drag my suitcase and carry-on behind me, following my father through the sliding airport doors. Mariah Carey sings her famous chorus of high notes overhead and I sniffle. My heart is heavy as we pass the exit for baggage claim.
“I booked us a flight to New York,” Dad says over his shoulder. His carry-on glides beside him as he checks his watch. “We don’t leave for another three hours, but I’m sure we can do some damage to my credit at the airport bar, don’t you?”
He’s trying to lighten my mood, but I’m finding it hard to think of anything other than Nick and Betty and Bruce and Natalie and Martina. Was Tucker upset I didn’t say goodbye before I left? Will Nick give his parents the ornament we picked out for them or throw it away ?
I can’t imagine they’re thrilled with me at the moment. After ruining their party and all. I fight down the urge to cry. Again.
I give him a small, sad smile. “Sure, Dad.”
We print our tickets at an open kiosk and head to check my luggage. Hefting my hastily stuffed bag on the scale, a sparkle on my left-hand catches my eye. I gasp, “Oh, no.”
“What is it?” Dad looks over as I splay my hand in front of me. The stunning diamond taunts me with a twinkle even in the poor fluorescent lighting. “We’ll mail it back to him.”
I drop my hand to my side, eyeing my father. “Dad.”
He shrugs, handing our IDs to the attendant. “Return it when you see him in the office next week, then.” Dad drilled me the entire ride here until I confessed how I agreed to pretend to be my boss’ fiancé for the week. He isn’t thrilled I’m not being compensated, or with my lying in general. I wouldn’t doubt if he sends Nick a bill for my plane ticket to New York.
Tears sting my eyes remembering the moment Nick slid his grandmother’s ring on my finger not far from where I’m standing. It was the highlight of my year—maybe even the last several years, if I’m brave enough to admit it.
From the moment I arrived in Wisconsin, I’ve felt…wanted.
It’s a feeling I’m having a hard time letting go of.
“I should give it back.”
“And you will,” Dad harrumphs. “Next week. When he’s got his damn head on straight enough to apologize to you for losing sight of where his allies stand. And has the good sense to thank you for saving his family and billion-dollar company from ruin,” he adds bitterly.
I sigh heavily, walking with my father toward security. I dig through my purse, searching for my phone. The least I can do is text him . I let him know I still have the ring and promise to return it as soon as possible.
I drop my phone back into my purse after I hit send and we pass the first stop in security before having to wait in line for the metal detector. The airport isn’t busy by any means, but it seems a few dozen people are gathering for their late flights.
“ Joy! ”
I glance at my dad, shuffling a step forward. “Yeah?”
“Hm?”
“You said my name.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Oh.” My brow furrows. I could’ve sworn I heard—
“Joy!” Nick’s voice carries through the echo chamber of the airport and my breath catches.
The ring . He’s here for the ring. I tuck my left hand against my chest.
Dad looks back and freezes. “Oh, my…”
I take a deep breath and turn to face my maybe-still-my-boss and current-ex-fake-fiancé.
What my eyes land on leaves me speechless.
Nick stands panting on the other side of security. His chest is heaving and his handsome smile shines as he grins from ear to ear .
I’d like to say it’s seeing him chasing after me that has me weak in the knees, but I may need to give some credit to the fifty-something members of his family standing directly behind him. They smile and wave, beaming as Nick dodges travelers on his way through the security roped line. His gaze never leaves mine.
Surely, he didn’t need to bring his entire family just to pick up his grandmother’s ring, right? Hope blooms in my heart. Is he here…for me?
“Go.” Dad nudges me with a chuckle as he takes the handle of my carry-on.
Tears blur my vision as I hurry past onlookers, fellow travelers, and suspicious TSA agents. “Excuse me,” I say upwards of a dozen times until I’m standing in front of him.
“You’re here,” I say at the same time he asks, “Where are you going?”
The corner of his mouth lifts, asking instead, “Why did you leave, Joy?”
My smile falters. Isn’t it obvious? “I ruined everything,” I say quietly, hoping he hears the regret in my voice. “I should have listened to you and left it alone. You told me to and I…didn’t. I’m so sorry, Nick, I—”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” he murmurs, taking another step toward me. The scent of fresh air and sandalwood fog my senses. “I should be thanking you for calling your father. Hell, you were right not to listen to me. Who knows how long this all would have gone on without you. I owe you so much, Joy. You saved my family.”
“I still should have told you.” I sigh, finding it hard to take his gratitude after seeing the look on his parents’ faces. “I swear I didn’t know they were coming,” I admit. “My dad works fast, but he’s not very patient when it comes to…you know.”
Nick nods before peering past me. He gives my dad an awkward wave. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Bell,” he calls out.
Dad shakes his head, tossing a dismissive hand.
Nick cringes.
“I really am sorry—”
“Don’t be,” he cuts in, finally closing the space between us as his hand rests on my lower back, the other circling my hip. His fingers flex. “I need to tell you…”
“Kiss her already!” someone hoots from the crowd.
Nick glares over his shoulder. “I’m getting to that part.”
Laughter surrounds us as my body flushes with heat. Kiss me? Does that mean…?
“Joy.”
I fight my twitching lips to keep from smiling too big. “Yes?”
He takes a deep breath. “These last few days with you have been nothing short of the best days of my life. I know what I said in the beginning about this being temporary, but nothing about this has felt temporary. None of it was fake for me. I started falling for you from the moment you said yes,” he says, and my pulse quickens. “I see clearly when I’m with you. There’s no dark cloud hanging over my head at what the future holds. And I can’t imagine a life where I don’t get to crawl into bed with you at the end of a long day.” His eyes shine. “The only future I want is the one with you in it. I’m in love with you, Joy.”
He loves me .
“Really?” I breathe, giddy even as the tears start to fall.
“How could I not fall for you, angel?” He cups the back of my neck in his heated palm and leans down. “You’re everything.” His lips meet mine and I melt into him, kissing him back. My arms fly around his neck and the applause that follows drowns in the background of the moment.
I break the kiss only to say, “I love you, too.”
He holds me tighter. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I whisper, popping on my toes to kiss him again. I know it’s only been an hour or so, but I missed this. Us. Him.
“Marry me,” he murmurs against my lips before slowly pulling away and dropping to one knee. The energy in the crowd shifts. Coos and awes and whistles surround us.
My eyes widen. “Nick.”
He gently takes my left ring finger in his hand as if to give it a tiny handshake. “I’d ask you to take the ring off and do this right, but seeing you without it for even a second would break my heart.”
My laugh is watery as I try to blink away the tears.
“Marry me, Joy. Be mine for real this time.” His grin is lopsided. “I promise you won’t regret it. ”
“I never regretted it the first time.” I lean in, kissing him softly. “Of course, I’ll marry you.”
He smiles against my lips and lifts me in his strong embrace as he gets to his feet. “She said yes!” he shouts, and the room breaks out in wild cheers.
I blush, laughing as he spins me around twice before returning me to my feet. “You’re crazy,” I tease.
“Crazy in love with you,” he says deeply, holding me close as our family swarms us with love.