Chapter 20
Four months later
It was late June when the podcast came out. Naomi had done her research, and she put out an engaging, well-rounded show. The podcast even featured a brief interview with Mariam Waterson. My grandma called in, too, and at one point, I shed a few tears. It was edited beautifully, and I thought it accurately represented our story and all parties involved. I had taken it easy on my mother in the story since hearing the truth would have hurt her. To this day I remembered the words exchanged during the fight she had with my grandmother on my tenth birthday, and I didn't share any of that.
The show was an hour long, and it had aired three days ago. Everyone was happy with it, even my mother. I thought she was grateful about the way I represented her because she had called saying how much she had enjoyed the show and how proud she was of me. Dominic was portrayed as a wonderful, handsome hero because that's what he was, and that was what I saw him as.
Naomi had already learned who Dominic was before I got there for the interview and she was funny, retelling the story about the thrift shop and saying that she would have been so much more impressed with him that day if she had known who he was. Naomi was thankful for the story, and so far, she had gotten a great response from her listeners.
The response was more than we expected. During the last two days, several people at the gym had asked me about it. One of the ladies had even asked to see the scarf, and I was happy to let her. She had tried it on and taken a photo with it like it was famous in its own right, and I thought that was the coolest thing.
Our patrons were amazing. The Milwaukee gym was amazing. I absolutely loved my job. These people weren't just customers to me. I got to know them on a different level than the people I had been working with in retail. I was utterly professional from the start. I never mentioned the fact that I was with Dominic. Word had spread since the interview had released, however, and by now almost everyone at the gym knew we were together.
"Hey Marley!" It was a woman's voice and I turned to see Dom's assistant, Blake, jogging to catch up to me. She smiled and wiggled around a little before slumping like she was exhausted. "Your walkie's dead again, and you must not have your phone."
"No, I don't. Sorry. What's up?" I had a fanny pack hanging on my shoulder and across my body, and the walkie was fastened to the strap. I took it off, noticing that she was right about the battery. "Yeah, the light's off. And my phone's charging in Dom's office. Sorry. What's up?"
She started walking with me, so I figured she was fine with heading toward the basketball courts. "Mr. Thornton, who comes in the mornings, do you know him?"
"Allan with the hair?" I asked.
"Yes. He was… he heard your podcast, and his wife has that upscale clothing line, and she wanted to ask you about making replicas of the scarf."
"Whoa, really?"
"Yeah, she's here now. She's working out in the women's gym, and she asked if you wouldn't mind going to talk to her."
"Yeah, sure," I said.
She shook her head at me and smiled. "You're blowing up," she said. "This lady isn't the first person who's asked me about you today. There was a message from another customer wanting to tell you the story of how she and her husband met… something about a lost shoe. Anyway, I wrote it down. That's all going to be in an email this afternoon."
"Thanks so much, Blake."
"Marley, I listened to you on that podcast!" Ricky Bell said, cutting in as he walked past us. He was in his 60's—a real estate expert. Jolly was the word I would use to describe him. He was round and rosy-cheeked, always wearing a smile.
"You did?" I asked him smiling back at him. "What'd you think?"
"I can't believe you wore that Notre Dame shirt on your first date!"
"I didn't know it was a date, Mister Ricky!" I said, laughing. "And I didn't know about his school!"
"I know. I was just shaking my head and laughing thinking about Dom seeing you walk in with that sweatshirt."
"I know!" I called. "It was horrible!"
He had kept his forward momentum, knowing that we were having a conversation in passing, and I looked at Blake afterward.
"This whole gym has listened to that show," she said. "I need to break down and listen. My sister had her baby last week, so I've gone to Chicago three times. So, do you know who Allan Thornton's wife is? She's got on a purple outfit today."
"I know her," I said, nodding.
Just then Blake's walkie talkie went off.
"Yeah, boss?" she asked, knowing it was Dominic.
"Hey, if you lay your eyes on Marley, can you tell her to come see me for a second in my office?"
"She's here with me now. She can hear you."
"Hey, my love, come see me for a second. I have some stuff to run past you with your schedule."
I smiled at the sound of his voice. "Yeah, I'll come by real quick before I do this other thing Blake was telling me about."
"Okay. I'll see you in a second."
I smiled at Blake. "Thanks for getting me the message," I said. "I'll put new batteries in my walkie and pick up my phone while I'm in the office."
"Thanks, Marley. Tell Dominic I'm heading home. I'm about to turn off this walkie and get out of here for the day. I was just coming to find you before I left."
"Okay, thanks, Blake. I'll see you tomorrow."
I reached for a hug, and Blake returned it. I walked at a brisk pace and only held quick conversations on my way to the offices. Excitement grew in my body as I made my way to the end of the hallway where I saw Dominic's door. It was vague of him to say that he wanted to 'check my schedule', and I had the gut-tingling feeling that he just wanted to catch up. I gave a couple of knocks on his door with the backside of my knuckle.
"Come in!" I heard him say.
I walked into his office. The other side of it was lined with windows, and I could see that he had the shades drawn where we were hidden from anyone outside. His desk was in a private spot, and I smiled at the sight of him sitting comfortably behind it. He leaned back in his chair and gazed at me with an appraising stare.
"Can you grab the lock on that door, please? I wanted to talk to you about some personal business, and I'd rather not be disturbed."
I was suddenly aware of the area in my lower core. There was a warm, electric feeling there and I tried to regulate my breathing as I crossed to the door and pressed the button to lock it. That lock brought back memories of some of my most blissful moments, and I was all hot and bothered with anticipation as a result of using it.
"Am I in trouble?" I asked innocently.
"I mean… you're really hard to reach sometimes."
"My phone was in here, and my walkie died."
"I know."
He was staring at me with a straight face, but he didn't mean it.
I crossed over to him. He was serious and powerful and determined, and I loved seeing him sit at his giant wooden desk. He worked hard and deserved the business to thrive like it was. He was sitting there being stoic, and I was aching to get next to him.
"I haven't seen you all day," I said, going over to him.
His legs were propped open, and I sat gingerly on his lap, resting my hand on his arm and looking down at him. He leaned in, lightly burying his face on my sleeve.
"You smell like the pool," he said, breathing in through his nose.
"I was in there for two hours," I said. "Fran couldn’t make it to her aerobics classes today."
"You taught water aerobics?"
"Yes," I said smiling. "And I loved it, it was fun."
I was keenly aware of the fact that I was sitting on his lap. I could feel the warmth of his body underneath mine.
"I think it's time we just get married, Marley. People are starting to notice you more, and with this podcast airing, I know people will know about you living over at the track. I just don't want you to—"
"Yes."
"Oh, really? I wasn't finished."
"You don't have to finish."
He pulled back and focused on me. "Do you know what I'm asking?"
"To move up the wedding?"
"Yes, or at least to have you move out of the place here and get closer to my house. In my house."
"Which one?" I asked.
"In my house."
"Fine, let's move up the wedding," I said.
"Are you just saying that because you can tell I'm about to explode right now?"
"I'm saying it because I'm about to explode," I said with a smile. "But more than that, because I love you. I love you the most of anybody in the world. Any human. I have to love God more than you. But that's good for you. I better go, though, my love. I told Blake I'd go talk to Mrs. Thornton."
"You better go? I haven't even gotten what I called you in here for."
"Oh, my schedule? Let me see…" I leaned in and kissed him, right on his mouth. I took his top lip into my mouth, sucking on it gently for a second before pulling back. "Mm, my schedule seems clear. But let me check one more time." I leaned in and kissed him again, holding the side of his face, and letting my mouth gently connect with his. Again, I took his lip into my mouth. This time it lasted a little longer. "Yeah, I'm all clear. I'm, my schedule is real clear. I can do anything you want."
"I wouldn't say that," he said, smiling and making me smile.
I leaned in and kissed him again. I did it several times, all slowly… his mouth was perfection and he was all mine.
"That's why we need to make it happen with these wedding plans," he said, his hand placed possessively on my leg.
"Yeah, like I said, my schedule's clear," I said in a soft tone, flirting with him. I ran my fingertips along his arm.
"What about as soon as possible?"
"Yes."
"And still do a wedding next spring?" he asked.
I shook my head. "No."
"Really?"
I shrugged. "We're just as married either way."
"I know that, but what about our families?"
I shook my head a little. "My parents still have Ada. Yours have EJ and Lila. Unless you think they'll be mad."
"They'll all be fine. I'm thinking about you. I don't want you to feel like you missed out on something later."
"The only thing I'm missing out on is right here."
He jumped and pretended to reach for his phone. "Get me the justice of the peace on the phone. Are they open today?" He asked the question as a joke, and I laughed which caused him to hold me and grab my middle. I thought he might tickle my ribs. I giggled and squirmed.
"Nooo," I said.
"No what?"
"No tickling."
"I’m not, I'm not. I got you."
And then he wasn't tickling me.
He was holding me and I was holding him, and neither of us were laughing.
He was a gorgeous specimen of a man, masculine and bold—and yet he knew how to be gentle with me. Passion came easy for us. We held each other and kissed for several long minutes, and then I broke away, smiling dazedly at him.
A thought hit me and I pulled back suddenly.
"I can't forget that lady," I said. "Thornton. I have to go to the women's gym." I gave him last kiss. "Bye, I love you. I'll see you in a little bit."
"Bye. Love you."
I crossed the room, straightening my hair as I walked. I had to stop and unlock the door. I remembered how I felt when I was turning it a few minutes ago. I smiled thinking about how I loved it when Dominic called me into his office.
He was grinning at me when I glanced at him on my way out, and I thought I might be the luckiest girl in the whole world.