28. Natalie
Natalie
SIX MONTHS LATER
“This kitchen is bigger than my first apartment,” Avery announces, running her hand along the marble countertop.
“The whole house is huge,” Harper says.
I lean against the island and smile as the women in my life explore every corner of the space. Danna is examining the professional-grade stove, and Bella is opening and closing cabinet doors with undisguised envy.
Lucy is taking photos of everything for her Instagram. Olivia is bouncing baby Maya on her hip while pointing out features to her daughter like Maya can understand any of it.
And Avery and Harper are providing running commentary on everything.
“Is that a wine fridge?” Avery gasps. “Natalie, you have a wine fridge built into your kitchen island.”
“There's another one in the butler's pantry,” I say, grinning.
“A butler's pantry.” Harper shakes her head. “Listen to you. Six months ago, you were living in a one-bedroom apartment, and now you have a butler's pantry.”
“I still don't know what a butler's pantry is for,” I say with a laugh.
“It's for wine,” Lucy says without looking up from her phone. “Obviously.”
Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the party in the backyard is in full swing. The pool is sparkling under the afternoon sun, and most of our guests are taking advantage of it.
The Renegades players are engaged in some kind of competition while their significant others lounge on the deck chairs.
Caterers in crisp white shirts are circulating with trays of appetizers and drinks.
Jim is holding court near the outdoor fireplace, telling stories to a captive audience that includes Ted and several of the younger players.
Six months ago, I was heartbroken and searching for apartments to escape the man I loved. Now I'm standing in the kitchen of a mansion in one of New York's most exclusive neighborhoods, hosting a housewarming party for the home I share with that same man.
Life has a strange sense of humor.
“I still can't believe Ethan bought this place,” Danna says, abandoning her inspection of the stove. “When he showed me the listing, I told him he was crazy. A house this size for two people?”
“He said he wanted room to grow,” I say. “Whatever that means.”
The women exchange looks.
“What?” I demand. “Why are you all making faces?”
“No reason,” Bella says innocently.
“None at all,” Avery adds.
“We're just happy for you,” Olivia finishes, bouncing Maya a little higher. “That's all.”
Before I can feign more ignorance, the kitchen door swings open, and Ethan comes in. He's wearing swim trunks and a fitted t-shirt, and his hair is damp from the pool.
“Ladies.” He nods at the group. “Mind if I steal my girlfriend for a minute?”
“By all means,” Danna says with a wave of her hand. “We were just admiring your excessive kitchen.”
“It's not excessive. It's well-appointed.”
“It has two wine fridges, son.”
He grins. “Like I said. Well-appointed.”
He takes my hand and leads me out of the kitchen. We wind through the hallway and up the curved staircase to the second floor, past the guest rooms and the office.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
He pulls me into our bedroom and closes the door behind us. The master suite overlooks the backyard, and from here we can see the entire party spread out below us. Our friends and family, laughing and splashing and enjoying themselves in the home we've built together.
“Is everything okay?” I turn to face him. “You're being mysterious.”
“I just needed some Natalie time.” He pulls me close and wraps his arms around my waist. “Is that a crime?”
“Depends on what kind of Natalie time we're talking about.”
“I’ll show you.” He kisses me, and I melt into him the way I always do. His hands slide down my back and grip my ass, pulling me tighter against his body. I loop my arms around his neck and lose myself in the taste of him.
“We have a house full of guests,” I remind him.
“They can wait.”
“Your mother is downstairs.”
“She can definitely wait.”
I laugh and push gently against his chest.
“Fine, fine.” He releases my ass but keeps his hands on my waist. “There's actually something else I wanted to talk to you about.”
“What is it?”
He takes a deep breath and steps back. And then, to my complete and utter shock, he lowers himself to one knee.
My hand flies to my mouth. “What are you doing?”
“What does it look like I'm doing?” He opens his hand to reveal a small velvet box. “I'm proposing to the love of my life.”
“But we just moved in together. We haven't even unpacked all the boxes.”
“You know I don't do things in halves, baby.” He opens the box to reveal a ring that steals my breath. It’s a stunning oval diamond surrounded by smaller stones, set on a delicate band. “When I know what I want, I go after it. And I want you. Forever.”
Tears are already streaming down my face.
“Besides, my mother told me I'd better put a ring on it fast before someone steals you away.” His eyes crinkle with amusement. “And you know I always listen to my mother.”
A laugh bubbles up through my tears. “That's not true.”
“It's true when she's right.” He takes my left hand in his.
“Natalie Cross, you walked into my life when I was at my lowest point.
You put me back together piece by piece.
You believed in me, and you loved me when I didn't deserve it.” His voice thickens with emotion.
“I can't imagine my life without you, and I don't want to. Marry me. Please.”
“Yes, of course, yes.”
He slides the ring onto my finger, and it fits like it was made for me. Then he's on his feet, and I'm in his arms, and we're kissing again.
“I love you,” he says.
“I love you too.” I pull back to look at the ring on my finger. “It's beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you.”
“That was cheesy.”
“I don't care.” He kisses me again. “I get to be cheesy. I just got engaged.”
I laugh and wipe the tears from my cheeks. “We should go tell everyone.”
Ethan presses a kiss to the top of my head. “You deserve everything good in this world. And I'm going to spend the rest of my life making sure you get it.”
“That's a big promise.”
“I'm a big guy. I can handle it.”
I elbow him in the ribs, and he laughs. “Come on.” I take his hand and tug him toward the door. “Let's go share the news.”
We make our way back downstairs to the kitchen, where the women are still gathered. They're still clustered around the island, glasses of wine in hand, deep in conversation about something that makes them all laugh.
They look up when we enter, and I hold up my left hand, letting the diamond catch the light.
“We're getting married!” I announce.
For a split second, there's silence. Then Lucy screams loudly. Avery bursts into tears and throws herself at me, nearly knocking me over. Harper starts jumping up and down, and Bella grabs my hand and examines the ring.
Olivia is crying and laughing at the same time while Maya looks around in confusion at all the commotion. And Danna walks straight to her son and pulls him into a hug.
“It's about time,” she says, loud enough for everyone to hear. “I was starting to think I'd have to propose for you.”
“You told me to do it fast,” Ethan says.
“I told you that months ago.”
“I wanted it to be perfect.”
He crosses the kitchen to wrap his arms around my waist from behind. “And she said yes.”
The celebration continues around us, but I barely notice. I'm too busy leaning back into the warmth of the man I love, my ring sparkling on my finger, my heart so full it might burst.
Six months ago, I moved to New York to escape my past. I never expected to find my future. But here he is, holding me like he'll never let go. And I have no plans to let him.
“I love you, baby,” Ethan whispers.
I turn around and slide my hands around his waist. “I love you too, baby.”
THE END