Scoring Position (Daytona Fury #2)

34. Lark

THIRTY-FOUR

LARK

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Ace asks as we walk into the courthouse with my hand encased in his.

“Yes,” I reply, rolling my eyes as I yank him through the corridor. “Now let’s go before you’re late for warm-ups.” He insisted on coming with me to file for my name change, even though I told him I’d see him at the stadium. He claimed that he wanted to offer moral support in case I needed it, but I honestly feel like the weight of the world is about to be lifted off my shoulders as soon as I sign my name on the dotted line. I’m ready to put the past behind me and head into the new and exciting future I’m building with Ace.

“Can I help you?” an older woman asks from her seat behind a high, dark wood counter. She takes a look at my boyfriend, smiling brightly as he waves. “Oh, my goodness!” she says on a gasp, primping her gray, shoulder-length hair. "I'm your biggest fan! My name is Gloria!” She stands, extending her hand for him to take, lingering a little longer than normal for this type of greeting. I hold in my laugh, watching as he graciously lets her move his arm up and down for about thirty seconds, never breaking eye contact as she smiles at him with stars in her eyes.

“It’s nice to meet you,” he replies with a charming wink as she all but floats back into her seat. “My girlfriend is looking to change her last name, and I was hoping to make it a speedy process since I have somewhere very important to be this afternoon.”

“Of course!” she says, looking over to me. “Depending on the reasoning for the change and what paperwork you have, we can get things done pretty quickly.”

I lay my folder down in front of me, flipping it open. “I was recently divorced and would like to go back to using my maiden name. I have my divorce decree with the name change provision, proof of address, my Social Security card and driver’s license.” I pull the documents out and hand them to her.

She takes them, double-checking each item. “It looks like you’re all set to get everything done today. I’ll just need to enter some info into my system, make copies of these papers, and then you’ll be good to go. You’ll have to swing by the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Social Security office to get those changes made, but otherwise, you’ll no longer be known as Lark Dawson in the eyes of the state of Florida.”

I take a deep breath, exhaling slowly in relief. I was worried this might be a long process, but I guess agreeing to the name change provision was a good choice on my part. I initially fought it in court but eventually gave in because I never had the intention of needing or using it.

“Hey, Gloria,” Ace cuts in as she types away at her computer. She stops, giving him her full attention. “Do you guys do marriage licenses here?”

I whip my head in his direction, eyes wide with surprise, but he ignores it as he looks down at her. He can’t be fucking serious.

“We do,” she replies, her gaze sliding my way as I stand there, gaping like a fish.

He taps his knuckles on the counter. “Good to know.” My shoulders slump, although I’m not sure if it’s from relief or disappointment as he grins in my direction. “What?”

I swallow, laughing nervously. “Nothing. I thought you were going to suggest we get married.”

He leans his elbow on the counter, smirking. “Make no mistake, Sweets. This name change is very temporary. I plan on making you Mrs. Mathers the moment I know you won’t turn down my proposal.”

“Who would ever do such a thing?” Gloria pipes up, her top lip curled in confusion before looking my way. “She doesn’t look like a stupid girl. I think you should give it a try.”

“You think?” he says, never taking his eyes off mine. “It’s a risk.”

She slaps a wrinkled hand against the wood, giving a tight nod before pointing a finger his way. “Some risks are worth taking, Ace.” Reaching down, she fishes a small rubber band from a jar on her desk, sliding it toward him. I look around the room, shifting from one foot to the other as he picks it up and drops down to one knee, taking my shaky hand in his.

“Lark Whitlock, since the day you came into my life, I’ve been happier than I ever thought possible. You showed me parts of myself that I didn’t know existed, and I’m a better man because of it. I know we haven’t known each other very long, and that there’s still so much to learn, but the one thing I’m certain of is that I love you, and I can’t imagine a world where you aren’t my forever. I don’t care if we stay engaged for ten days or ten years—I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy, and you’ll never go a single second without being worshiped in all the ways you deserve. Will you marry me?”

My face twists with emotion, and the hand at my side shoots to cover my mouth, tears blurring my vision until they finally spill over. Gloria and everyone in the sitting area across the room wait with bated breath for my answer. Phones are recording and people are whispering excitedly as Ace looks up at me with a soft smile.

This is fucking crazy. He’s right—we haven’t known each other long. He hasn’t met my family or seen my hometown. He doesn’t know that I buy a container of spring mix every time I go to the grocery store, never open it, and throw it away only to replace it with the next one. But if I’ve learned one thing in my life, it’s that those things don’t matter. You can spend years with someone, learning all their quirks and habits, only to discover after marrying them that despite your best efforts, it was never meant to last. Life is too short to waste time not doing what makes you happy. And that’s what Ace does…when I’m with him, I’m the happiest girl in the world.

I nod my head rapidly, swiping at my wet cheeks. “Yes!” I reply as he breathes a sigh of relief, slipping the rubber band onto my ring finger. He stands, wrapping his arms around me and lifting me off the floor as the room erupts in celebration.

Pressing his face into the soft skin at the base of my neck, he breathes me in. “Thank you,” he mumbles. “ Fuck, that was scary.” I laugh in response, pulling back and kissing his lips as the whole place cheers loudly.

“It’s a good thing you said yes,” Gloria says as Ace returns me to my feet, clutching her hands in front of her chest. “Because if you hadn’t, I was planning on shooting my shot.”

I laugh, spinning toward her as she slides the name change paperwork my way, picking up a pen and signing on the dotted line. Ace’s arms snake around my waist from behind, and he drops his chin to my shoulder.

“How does it feel?” he asks.

“Like this is the beginning of a whole new chapter.”