Chapter 16 #2
She shrugged. “I learned how to process something really bad at a pretty young age, so now when I’m faced with things that aren’t very fun, my brain also processes those things differently than a lot of people would.
It’s just how I’m wired. Yes, being kidnapped sucked, but I wasn’t alone.
It would’ve been a very different situation if I was.
And yes, I was terrified when someone broke into my apartment and I had to hide, but you were on the other end of the phone, and you said you were coming. That made it more bearable.
“And of course I wish I didn’t have to move out of my place, and that this Brant guy wasn’t still out there, apparently looking for me…
but silver lining? I’ve gotten to spend more time with you.
And I’m here at an amazing restaurant, about to eat a humongous burger, having a great time being with a man I admire and like a whole lot.
“So I’m fine, Flash. More than fine.”
It took all Flash’s control not to stand up, haul Kelli to her feet, and drag her out of Aces back to his car.
He wanted her. Now . But more than that, he needed her brand of positivity in his life.
Her unique way of looking at the world was a direct result of trauma when she was younger, but he couldn’t deny that it was extremely addicting. And attractive.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” Kelli asked, her cheeks turning a rosy pink from his scrutiny.
“I’m falling in love with you,” he blurted.
Kelli’s eyes widened.
“I’m not telling you that to freak you out.
But just so you’re forewarned. I’m addicted to you.
I want to be around you all the time. I think about nothing other than getting back home to you when I leave for work each morning.
And when I walk through the door and see your welcoming smile, and we talk about our days…
it’s as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders every damn time.
“So…just as I warned that I was giving you a week to decide if going on a date with me was what you really wanted, I’m giving you advance notice that two years from now, I want to already have my ring on your finger, and yours on mine.
I want you to be round with our baby, and I want us to have a house of our own.
When I look at you, I see my future in your eyes, Kelli…
and instead of freaking me out, it soothes me. ”
“Flash,” she whispered.
He had no idea if that was an appalled whisper, or a yearning one.
“I’m sorry. I know. Too much, too soon. I just thought you should know where I stand on whatever’s happening between us. That this isn’t a casual thing for me. I don’t usually move in with women I’ve met while on vacation or on the job…no matter what might’ve happened between us.”
Kelli licked her lips but didn’t say anything. Just stared at him with those big brown eyes of hers.
The door opened, and they both looked up to see who’d entered.
Kevlar and Remi smiled as they saw them, making a beeline for their table.
Flash wanted to wave them off, tell them to sit somewhere else, because he and Kelli were having a very important discussion.
The most important discussion of his life.
But he supposed it might be good for Kelli to let what he’d said sink in.
He just hoped he hadn’t scared her, fucking things up between them for good.
“Hey! Can we sit with you?” Remi asked.
“Of course,” Kelli said.
As his team leader settled into the seat next to Kelli, Flash noticed that he looked a little…off. He couldn’t put his finger on what was up, but his friend definitely wasn’t his usual laid-back self. He wanted to question him, but not in front of the women.
Maybe he was worried about the mission they were researching.
It would be an intense op. They were headed to Greenland, of all places.
It wasn’t exactly a hotspot for terrorism, but there’d been chatter about a group recently setting up a home base for getting operatives into the US.
Their team would be heading to the country soon to take out the man in charge of the operation, before things could get too out of hand.
Cold-weather missions weren’t Flash’s thing—weren’t any of their favorite kind of op—but taking out bad guys before they could injure or kill innocent civilians was what they did, no matter the temperature.
Jessyka stopped by their table and took Remi and Kevlar’s drink and food orders, and she apparently put a rush on them, because by the time Flash and Kelli’s burgers arrived, the salad and steak Remi and Kevlar had ordered were also delivered.
Kelli seemed happy to chat with Remi, and while Kevlar kept up his side of the conversation, Flash was still aware that he seemed tense.
The question of why was answered after they’d finished eating, when Remi was telling Kelli all about sleepovers at Caroline’s house and how much fun they were.
Kevlar suddenly stood up.
Remi didn’t seem too surprised by his abrupt movement, until he moved around to where she was sitting—and went down on one knee.
It felt as if everyone in the entire bar stopped talking at once.
“Remi. I told you once that I was going to marry you. Was going to put my ring on your finger, my baby in your belly, and that I’d glare at anyone who dared look sideways at my beautiful wife.
You’ve been through several deployments.
You’ve had more than enough time to know what you’re getting with me.
I’m not perfect. I can be a dick. But I love you more than I ever thought I could love another person.
Will you marry me? Have my babies? Grow old with me? ”
Remi was beaming. “And I told you that when you asked, I’d say yes.
I think I knew you were the man for me back when we were floating in the ocean together and you shared your air with me.
Yes…to the ring, the baby, and ev en though no one is going to look twice at me, I’ll let you glower—not glare, you said glower , when you first warned me of your future intentions. Yes, Vincent! Yes to it all!”
Kevlar stood up and lifted his now-fiancée out of her chair, spinning her around in a circle. They were both grinning like fools as the entire bar cheered and clapped for them.
Flash looked over at Kelli, and saw she had an ear-to-ear smile on her face.
It was obvious how happy she was for her new friend.
Flash couldn’t help but reach over and take her hand in his.
She turned that happy grin to him, and it felt as if they were the only two people in the world.
If he could bottle this moment, her happiness, and bring it out when life got tough, he would.
Kevlar put Remi back on her feet and slid a beautiful emerald-cut diamond ring on her finger. It wasn’t ostentatious, but it definitely would tell anyone who might care to look that this woman was off the market.
“And we’re having our party here, right?
” Remi asked. “I talked to Josie, and she already asked me about a double ceremony with her and Blink. I love that idea! He means so much to me, and you too, I know. I may or may not have already brought up the idea of having the reception here at Aces to Jessyka. She said yes, that all she needs is a date. She’ll close the bar to everyone but our people.
Oh! And Josie wants to make sure Blink’s twin and his helicopter friends can come too.
And of course, Wolf and his team and all their families.
Marley is already looking for the perfect dress to wear, even though I told her that I’m not sure I want the traditional bridesmaids.
How could I choose who would stand up with me?
It’s impossible! I have too many people I love and I don’t want anyone to feel slighted.
It’ll be a tight fit for everyone here at Aces, but this is the perfect place!
It’s casual, friendly, and the food and drinks are perfect?—”
“Breathe, Remi. We can do whatever you want. All I care about is you being mine, and belonging to you officially in return.”
“You’re already mine, and I’m already yours,” Remi said almost casually, as she put her hand on Kevlar’s shoulder so she could admire her ring.
“Damn straight.”
“Champagne on the house!” Jessyka announced loudly from behind the bar, holding up a bottle.
Cheers rang out all around them once more as everyone celebrated not only Remi and Kevlar’s official engagement, but also free alcohol.
Flash kept hold of Kelli’s hand as Remi and Kevlar sat back down, swapping seats this time so Remi could show off her ring to Kelli.
“Congrats, man,” Flash said, slapping Kevlar on the shoulder.
“Thanks. Honestly?” his friend said quietly. “I’m glad that’s over. Lord, I knew what her answer was going to be, and yet I was still nervous as hell.”
“I could tell. Glad that’s what was up, because I was getting a little paranoid over here,” Flash joked.
“Wait until it’s your turn,” Kevlar warned. “You’ll see what I mean. Even though you know you love your woman, and she loves you, there’s just something nerve-racking about actually asking the question.”
Flash wasn’t sure about that. He looked at Kelli.
When he asked her to marry him, he wasn’t going to do it in public.
It would be an intimate thing between the two of them.
Not because he’d be afraid she’d say no, but because he wanted to spoil her, make her feel like the most cherished woman in the world.
Visions of flowers, a dinner for two, maybe a beautiful view sprang to his mind, as he thought about where and how he’d ask her to marry him.
It wasn’t until she laughed at something Remi said that he shook his head and concentrated on the here and now. He was getting ahead of himself for sure. But he knew down to his bones that this woman would wear his ring one day. Just as he’d wear hers.