Chapter 28
NICO
Eighteen months later
It has been a long time since a woman made me nervous.
That sounds worse than I mean it to. Sort of arrogant, like I’m so sure of myself, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I’ve had nerves before. First dates, tough conversations, heavy break-ups.
But this is different.
I stick a finger in my collar and tug at it, trying to get some cool air into my shirt. Is it warm in here, or is it me? I’m late, because of course I am. Usually I wouldn’t mind but tonight couldn’t be a worse night for it.
I tell myself I’m being ridiculous – then pat my pockets again, to make sure I haven’t left anything behind.
I’m not usually a worrier, not like this. This is new territory for me. I’ll be so glad when it’s over.
In a way, it’s reassuring to know that some things never change, to still feel so alive. I’m the master of my own destiny, still capable of ruining my life or making it better, depending on how the next hour goes.
But it’s going to be fine… right? I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t sure… would I? Suddenly, my usual confidence is nowhere to be found.
This is a simple plan – one I’ve thought through, one I’m keeping simple… I hope that’s not a mistake. Should I have gone bigger?
I check my watch. Shit, I’m fifteen minutes late. I’d better get a move on. There’s no turning back now.
Sammie
It has been a long time since a man was late to meet me – I probably would have been distraught, back in the day, but nowadays I don’t sweat it. Well, you never know the reason why, do you? It might be something good…
He’s coming, I’m sure of it, I just need to wait. I could order another drink – the bartender keeps giving me funny looks, like he knows something I don’t. I’m starting to think that he’s got some kind of sixth sense, like he can smell a woman who has been stood up from a mile away.
Have I got the time wrong, I wonder… That’s the only thing I can think of. Unless…
‘Sorry, sorry I’m late,’ he says, huffing and puffing as he sits down next to me.
‘It’s okay,’ I reassure him. But then I see the look on his face. He looks stressed – Nico never looks stressed. ‘Is everything okay?’
‘What? Yes, of course,’ he insists.
He seems frazzled – another red flag.
‘Let me get you a drink,’ I tell him.
‘Yeah, thanks,’ he replies. ‘I just… yeah, sorry I’m late.’
‘That’s okay, I assumed you were on an adventure,’ I joke, but he’s scaring me a little now. ‘Everything okay?’
‘It is now I’m here,’ he replies.
‘Well, now I’m definitely suspicious.’
He laughs.
‘Nico…’
‘Sammie…’ he replies, matching my tone.
‘Are you being weird?’ I ask.
‘Not that I’m aware of,’ he replies. He turns to the barman. ‘A bottle of champagne, please, mate.’
Champagne… Interesting choice.
The barman reappears with a bottle of Ruinart and two glasses.
‘Bloody hell, are we celebrating something?’ I ask him.
Nico always likes to toast his work victories. It makes me smile that he’s more comfortable being proud of himself now.
‘Maybe,’ he says.
‘Maybe?’ I reply. ‘Well, what might we be celebrating?’
Nico takes me by the hand; his thumb moves lightly over my knuckles as he finds the words. I glance down at our hands, then back at his face. He looks even more nervous now and obviously my brain wants to start analysing everything, because I didn’t run a risk assessment for our date tonight.
He lets go of my hands.
‘Nico…’
He reaches into his jacket as he stands up from his bar stool, getting down on one knee as he pulls the ring box from his pocket.
‘Sammie…’
‘Yes,’ I blurt excitedly. ‘Yes, yes, yes – oh my gosh, yes.’
He smiles.
‘I haven’t even asked yet.’
‘You don’t need to,’ I reply. ‘Because yes!’
‘Well, I do feel easier about asking, now that I know the answer, but I want you to know that you’re the love of my life, that my world changed for the better when you entered it, and that I’d love to spend the rest of my life annoying you… if you’ll have me.’
‘And I want you to know… yes!’
He opens the box revealing a solitaire ring that pings light in all directions. It’s gorgeous, I can’t believe it’s mine – I can’t believe he’s mine.
Everyone around us applauds while the barman pours our drinks. Okay, I don’t understand why he was staring at me; he was in on it.
He slides the ring onto my finger, and it fits perfectly. I mean, I would have said yes even if he’d guessed wrong, but it’s nice to be able to put it straight on. I never want to take it off again.
He stands, so I stand too, throwing myself into his arms so that we can kiss. It really feels like sealing the deal, now that we’ve locked lips.
When we sit back down, I can’t help but admire my ring.
‘It’s perfect,’ I tell him.
‘That’s a relief,’ he replies.
‘Did you ask Mum? For help with the ring or for permission to propose?’ I ask curiously.
‘Neither,’ he says with a chuckle. ‘Was I supposed to ask permission?’
‘No, of course not,’ I tell him. ‘Does your dad know?’
He shakes his head.
‘I thought we could surprise them.’
‘Let’s go,’ I squeak, throwing back my champagne. ‘I can’t wait to tell them.’
‘They are expecting us,’ he tells me. ‘In fact, they invited us over, so they’re not even suspicious.’
‘I might just, like, move my hand around wildly, grab things, high-five people – see how long it takes them to notice this huge rock,’ I joke.
He laughs.
‘My dad being my dad, I’m not sure he’d notice if your hand was on fire, but it’s worth a shot with your mum,’ he replies.
He pays the bill while I text Mum that we’re on our way, without giving anything away because I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she finds out.
We walk back to the car hand in hand, and I spend the drive to Mum and Hank’s house trying to act normal, which is difficult because I can’t stop looking at my ring.
Mum and Hank live together now, in a house that is the perfect size for the two of them. It’s safe to say they’re loving life together as much as Nico and I are. I know, we might not have gone about it the right way, but I suppose we all knew what was best for each other back when we met.
When we arrive, the front door opens before we knock. Mum is there, glowing suspiciously. How does she know? How could she possibly know?
Behind her, Hank appears with a tea towel over one shoulder and a huge grin on his face.
‘You’re late,’ Mum says.
‘It’s been an eventful evening,’ Nico tells her.
‘I’ll say,’ Mum replies. ‘We’re engaged!’
She holds out her hand, showing her ring. I can’t help but laugh.
‘What?’ she says. ‘What’s so funny?’
‘I… I’m engaged too,’ I confess.
‘Bloody hell, lad, you dark horse,’ Hank says, slapping his son on the back.
‘Says you,’ Nico tells him. ‘I had no idea. I wanted to surprise you all.’
‘Same,’ Hank replies.
Mum takes my hand in hers, staring at the ring.
‘It’s beautiful.’
‘So is yours,’ I say with a laugh.
I can’t believe this has happened to us, both of us, on the same day…
She looks at Nico.
‘Well done.’
‘Thank you,’ he replies.
Hank puts an arm around Mum’s shoulders.
‘Well. This calls for a double celebration,’ he announces. ‘I’ve made dinner.’
‘It smells great,’ I tell him.
‘And we brought champagne,’ Nico says. ‘Let’s get it open.’
‘There’s so much to talk about, now that we’re both brides,’ Mum coos.
‘I’m sure I’m not the only one thinking this, but what about a double wedding?’ Hank thinks out loud.
‘Absolutely not,’ I say quickly.
‘Not a chance,’ Nico adds.
‘Why not?’ Hank replies. ‘We do everything together.’
‘That’s why not,’ Nico insists.
‘They’re right,’ Mum tells him. ‘Their day should be about them, our day should be about us.’
‘Let’s let each other know dates as soon as we can,’ I insist. ‘Just in case we accidentally book the same day…’
Stranger things have happened.
‘Well, we should at least go on a holiday together, celebrate our engagements,’ Hank suggests.
‘Oh, yes, that would be lovely,’ Mum says.
‘Anyway, come on, I’ve got a lasagne in the oven, let’s eat,’ Hank says.
The two of them head into the kitchen, leaving Nico and me in the hallway to take off our shoes.
‘So, here’s the plan, we find out where they want to go on holiday, and we work out where is on the exact other side of the world, and we go there,’ he jokes.
I laugh, but truthfully, I would happily go away with Mum and Hank. Yes, I draw the line at a double wedding, but these days it feels like I have a family again. I’m happy, Mum is happy, we’re both settled – but life is still so exciting.
Our next adventure is the wedding but, after that, who knows? These days I don’t feel like I need a plan. I’m happy to enjoy today, without worrying about tomorrow.
Because what’s life without a little risk?