27. Vivian #4
He looks at me appraisingly, as though he’s deciding how much to say. “I just wish it was as easy for me as it is for you and Viv.” I tilt my head, encouraging him to continue. “What did you do? To make her fall for you, I mean.”
“Wish I could tell you, man. But it was different for us, you know? I just knew, and I think she did too.”
He huffs out a breath. “Yeah, that’s not going so well for me.”
“If you want my honest advice, it’d be this. I made sure Vivian knew I was all in, that I wasn’t going anywhere. I didn’t really give her a choice in the matter.”
He laughs. “I heard about your proposal. That was wicked cool.”
I grin. “Well, I’m sure I could’ve planned it better. It just kind of happened.” I face him straight on. “Seriously though, I never gave her a chance to question how I felt or what my intentions were. I made it clear I wanted her and then let her decide if she wanted it. If she wanted me .”
“That’s been hard til now. But after next month…
” He trails off, lost in thought. Sighing, he rubs his hand along the five o’clock scruff that’s accumulated on his jaw.
Maybe Claire’s into that look; it does make him appear older than his twenty-two years.
Then I swear I hear him say under his breath, “Maybe she won’t be able to turn me down. ”
My curiosity is beyond piqued, but it’s also pretty clear that the two of them don’t want to share whatever they’ve got in the works right now.
And frankly, it’s none of my business. As long as Vivian’s happy and satisfied that Claire’s okay, it allows us to move ahead with our plans. That’s all that matters to me.
I watch my woman laugh with her friend, delighting in her happiness.
She’s absolutely radiant, despite the long shift, and when she catches my eyes and gives me a small smile, my heart feels about ready to burst. Everything I’ve ever wanted is right here; the complete package.
She sets my heart, mind, and body on fire…
the latter especially with those skintight jeans she’s wearing.
Her hair’s pulled back in a low ponytail, and I can’t wait to fist those tresses from behind once we get home.
“So…” Claire drags out, bringing my focus to where the girls are plotting. “We have a wedding to plan, is that right?”
“Sure as hell do.” I smirk.
“Well, I took the liberty of buying some wedding magazines for Viv while you were away,” she says, bringing a few out from where she’d hidden them under the inventory books.
“Ugh! They’re all so ridiculously over the top!
” Vivian bemoans, throwing her hand dramatically on her forehead.
“Besides, even if we had the time to plan something elaborate, I can’t imagine spending that kind of money on one event.
It’s insane!” She opens one magazine, flipping through the pages rapidly, irritation on her face.
“Look at this nonsense! Thousands of dollars for just a dress! Flowers, cake, balloon arches… it’s all too much! ”
“Nothing is too much for you, mi amor.” I round the bar and lay a kiss on her temple, my hand on her back.
“But it is , baby, it really is. I’ve gone through these several times already—”
“You have?” My voice betrays my excitement. So I guess she decided pretty quickly. My heart thumps that she’s ready to become mine. I know she said it, but the fact that she’s looking forward to it makes my heart sing.
“Yes! And this is ludicrous. Who cares about all this frilly stuff?” She turns and places her hand on my chest. “I just want to marry you. I don’t want the focus to be on the decorations or music or color of the bridesmaids’ dresses.
It should be about us. Two people coming together to commit to each other and God, in front of the people we love.
That’s what’s important. The rest of this?
” She waves her hand around. “That doesn’t matter to me. ”
I capture her waving hand to kiss her wrist. “You’re so perfect for me, mi amor. Sure you don’t want to skip all this and go to the courthouse tomorrow? I’m dying to give you my last name.” I slide my mouth to her palm and kiss it too.
Vivian looks at me so longingly that I think it’s on the tip of her tongue to say yes, when Claire pipes up. “Nice try, Michael, but don’t you think that might piss some people off? Like, namely your family?”
I sigh, because she’s right. And I wouldn’t risk Paquita’s wrath for anything.
Well, for Vivian I would. But it still wouldn’t be a good idea.
“I’m going to call them tomorrow. They did pray for us to get married soon when they met Viv, so I don’t think this is going to come as much of a surprise as you think.
” Smiling, I can’t wait for my grandpa’s realization that his pronouncement would have such “quick” results.
“Have you even talked to your mom yet, Viv?” Claire turns her attention to my woman who shrugs.
“Kinda?” She rolls her eyes. “She knows I’ve met someone, but you know how it is. We can go weeks without speaking.”
“Don’t you think she should meet Michael ahead of time? Like, before you walk down the aisle?” Claire’s sarcasm is pointed but gentle.
“Yes, Mom ,” Viv replies just as sarcastically, but with a smile. “I actually suggested dinner this weekend. If that’s okay with you, baby,” she says, turning to look at me for my answer. I’ll never get tired of the way baby sounds from her lips.
“Of course, mi amor. I’ve been wanting to meet my future mother-in-law for a while now.
” I try not to convey the slight hurt I feel at barely being mentioned to her mom yet.
But I swallow it down, reminding myself that mother-daughter relationships can be complicated.
And it doesn’t feel like Vivian has been hiding me, but that they don’t talk all that much.
“You might not think that after you meet her,” Vivian mutters.
I can’t fathom not having the level of closeness I share with my family.
But from the little that Vivian says about her mom, I’ve gathered that their relationship has been strained for some time now.
I’m not sure what this woman is going to think of me up and carrying her daughter to a different state, and I’m not fool enough to think this will go over smoothly.
But I’m also not going to let anything, or anyone, stand in our way of building a life together.
“We’ll make it work. No matter what. Because one way or another, you’re going to be Mrs. Stromberg in just a few weeks,” I tell her, cupping her jaw firmly and kissing her.
I keep it chaste, but my willpower is weakening the longer we stay here.
I need to get my woman home, get her naked, and get inside her.
It’s the only way I’ll feel she’s truly mine after being separated these past few days.
I need to connect with her physically, feel our heartbeats throb in time as I communicate all my love to her with my body and words.
Vivian looks at me quizzically as I pull back, her eyes flicking back and forth between mine, until she registers the heat coming from me. There’s no question about my desire for her, not when I’m not even bothering to hide my arousal that’s pressing into her belly.
“And that’s my cue to get my man home after a long day,” she announces to the friends looking remarkably like a couple.
Derrick’s arm is draped loosely over Claire’s chair, their thighs touching as she leans back into his space.
I don’t think she’s aware of his proximity because every other time I’ve seen them touching, she skitters away.
But she practically sighs with contentment as she takes in her friend’s happy face.
I vow to keep such a look on my wife’s face for eternity.
Derrick is looking at Claire with the same sense of wonder.
Whatever plan he’s got up his sleeve, I hope he puts it to work soon.
Everyone deserves a chance at love, and I know it will reassure Vivan to know her friend is taken care of.
“All right, we’re out!” She hugs Claire, pats Derrick on the back, and I shake his hand.
“Whatever you need to do, go for it,” I say quietly near his ear as I pull him in for a bro hug.
“Will do,” he says as he releases my hand. “Really happy for you guys.”
“Thanks,” I tell him as we make our way to the door. “Better get a tux.”
He looks surprised for all of a minute, before calling out to me, “Already have one.” I just barely catch a glimpse of Claire looking at him questioningly as the heavy wooden door closes behind them.
Vivian looks over at me with eyebrows raised. “Derrick needs a tux?”
I shrug nonchalantly. “You’re gonna want Claire in the wedding, I presume?” At her nod, I continue, “So that means Derrick’s gonna need to be the best man. To partner with her, right?”
A slow smile spreads across her face. “Are you telling me my fiancé is playing matchmaker?”
I grab her hand and kiss her wrist as we walk, my eyes never leaving hers. “No, carino, I’m telling you your husband is just helping along what’s already happening. Those two are going to end up together, one way or another.”
“I sure hope so.” She sighs happily as I open the car door for her and buckle her inside. “Claire deserves it all.”
“So do you, mi amor. And I’m gonna give it to you.”