Meant to Be (6 page)

“What did they think I was before?”

“Well, after your flip-
out at the party, they thought you were an asshole.”

“I’m glad they changed their mind.” I kissed her forehead.

“Me too. Because I really do have the best boyfriend in the world. He was just hiding for a moment.”

I cupped her face and kissed her lips. “I won’t act like that again. I promise.”

“You better not.”

“I’ll never do anything to intentionally drive you away. Without you here, I’m nothing.”

“And you better not hire some slut at the shop,” she said. “That doesn’t change.”

I chuckled. “Whatever my baby wants.”

She gave me a gentle kiss on the lips. “You’re going to be getting a lot of head for being a sweetheart.”

“
Oooh…I should piss you off more often.”

She narrowed her eyes at me.

“Just kidding, baby.”

“What do you want to do for dinner?”

“Nothing.” I pulled her back to my chest. “I just want to stay exactly like this. With you.”

“You guys are okay?” Cortland asked over lunch.

“She gave me amazing head. We’re fine.”

He smirked. “That’s pretty indicative.”

“I wished I’d done it sooner.”

“I’m glad you guys are back together.”

“We were never broken up,” I said defensively.

“You know what I mean.”

I just wanted to set the record straight.

“Are you going to ask soon?”

“That depends on you,” I said. “We’re going at the same time, right?”

“Uh…” He shrugged. “I need more time with Monnique. It’s too soon.”

That surprised me. “Really? Still having trouble?”

“No, not really.” He stared out the window for a moment. “I haven’t even started having sex with her yet. When we get back to normal, I’ll do it.”

“So…should I wait?”

“No,” he said immediately. “Monnique won’t be upset. Honestly, we’d probably be engaged already if she hadn’t pulled her little stunt.”

“Okay.” Wow. That meant
I was going in for the kill.

“You ready?”

“Is it normal to be terrified?”

He chuckled. “Not ready to settle down?”

“It’s not that,” I said immediately. “It’s just…it has to be perfect, you know? I need to take her to a beach or on the roof top of an expensive restaurant, with a full orchestra playing her favorite song while we dance under white lights.” I sighed in dread.

“I admit it has to be perfect—but for you. Honestly, that doesn’t sound like either of you.”

“It doesn’t?”

He shook his head.

“How are you proposing?”

Cortland shrugged.

“What? You aren’t going to tell me? I’m not going to copy you.”

“It’s not that. I just…I don’t know. I want it to be private.”

“You’re going to ask her during sex.” I smiled. “You dog.”

“No,” he said immediately. “Not during sex.”

“Maybe I should do it during sex…” I rubbed my chin.

“That does sound like you,” he teased.

God, this was daunting. How did I get the love of my life to be my wife? I was only going to do this once so it had to be perfect. The overwhelming stress weighed on me and made me sweat.

“You’ll think of something, Ryan.”

“I can’t even pick out a ring.”

“I’ll help you,” Cortland offered.

“I just don’t see her wearing a ring. Every time I picture it, the image doesn’t fit. She’s not materialistic and she hardly wears jewelry. She uses her hands so much that it would get in her way. And I don’t see myself wearing one either…”

“Not all married couples wear rings.”

“But I would like to… I wish I could have both.”

Cortland balled his napk
ins then started to juggle them perfectly.

“What aren’t you good at?”

He kept juggling. “I’ll let you know when I find out.”

“Douchebag,” I said under my breath.

“Have you asked her dad?”

I sighed. “No. Can you just propose for me?”

Cortland laughed. “I have a strong feeling she’d say no. And then Monnique would kill her.”

“I’d throw some
jello on them,” I said with a smirk. “Don’t tell Monnique I’m planning to propose. I want Janice to be surprised.”

“I’m sure she’s expecting it. But I’ll keep your secret.”

I brainstormed ideas for the next few minutes. Everything I came up with was cheesy and unoriginal. I wanted it to be special, something that was meaningful to both of us. But I wasn’t a romantic guy. There was no doubt I loved Janice with my whole heart, but I wasn’t Edward from
Twilight
. I didn’t have the moves girls dreamed about. I was harsh and blunt, telling Janice exactly what I was thinking when I thought it. She was my whole world and I told her that every day. I worked my ass off to make her smile. I stared at her and prayed she’d be mine until I died. And she knew all of that. So how did I ask?

Sean’s proposal wasn’t amazing, but it was perfect for him and my sister. Scarlet told me the story at least fifty times.
Her eyes always bubbled. So how did I do that with Janice? How did I give her something more than I already had?

But I had to start at the beginning. First, I had to get permission from her father. And that was daunting enough.

8

Mike

Cassandra and I just finished showering after the gym. I liked hitting the weights with her after work. I never knew working out with a girl could be so much fun. And I could stare at her ass all I wanted without feeling bad about it. That was my piece of ass.

“We’re going to dinner tonight.” I buttoned my shirt and looked at myself in the mirror.

“Dinner?” She was sitting on the bed, wearing one of my t-shirts. It reached past her knees. She looked ridiculously sexy. She could wear that out and about and still pull it off.

“Yeah. You know, where people eat.”

She rolled her eyes and gave me a playful look.

“Now put on a short dress so I can grab your ass.”

“You grab my ass no matter what I wear.”

“Good point. Then wear nothing.”

She rolled her eyes again. “Let’s stay in bed.” She lay down, her hair sprawled on the blanket.

“Why is my baby so tired?” I buckled my belt then checked my appearance one more time. I looked like a stud. I tried to wear dark colors because it brought out the blue color of my eyes. I walked to the bed then lifted up her shirt, exposing her stomach. I gave her kisses around her belly button ring.

“I just like staying home with you.”

“Well, we’re meeting people. So we have to go.”

“My god, we see your family all the time.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You have a problem with my family?”

“No,” she said quickly. “But it’s okay to have other friends.” Her fingers rubbed my shoulders. She normally ran her fingers through my hair, but she knew I just styled it.

“Well, we’re going out with other people tonight.”

“Who? You don’t have any other friends.”

I bit her stomach gently. “Don’t make me eat you.”

“I love it when you eat me.”

I growled into her stomach. “We’re going out with your girlfriends.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“I ran into Zeal and we decided to get dinner. Now get dressed.”

She sat up. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?”

“I’m telling you now.”

She narrowed her eyes. “When did this happen?”

I shrugged. “You’ll find out at dinner.”

She pushed me off then looked me square in the eye. “Mike, what’s going on?”

I opened the closet then pulled out a blue dress. I liked seeing her wear it because it brought out her eyes. “I had a talk with Zeal. I apologized to her for the way I treated her and asked for another chance to make a good impression. She agreed so we’re having dinner.”

She didn’t seem convinced. “She’s the most stubborn woman I know.”

“You can say that again,” I said with a laugh.

“And she just agreed to this?” she asked incredulously. “Did you throw money at her?”

I rolled my eyes. “Get your ass dressed.”

“I just can’t believe she changed her mind that easily.”

“Easily?” I scoffed. “That shit wasn’t easy. I spent an hour arguing with her before we went anywhere.”

“Arguing about what?”

“That I want another chance to get along with her. She’s your best friend and I know she’s important to you. You would do anything to be included in my family, and I’ll do the same for you.”

Her eyes softened, her lips stretched into a sad smile. “Mike…”

I was going to get some serious loving for this.

“You’re so sweet.” She rose to her feet then wrapped her arms around my neck. “I can’t believe you did that.”

“I’d do anything for you. I hope you understand that someday.” My hands moved to her lower back under my enormous t-shirt. I loved feeling her bare skin when she didn’t wear a bra. Her skin was so soft and smooth.

“I just can’t believe it.”

“Well, start to.” I kissed her forehead. “Now get your ass dressed.” I slapped her on the butt playfully.

“Yes, sir,” she said with a giggle.

“And…will I be getting some special attention for this?” I winked at her.

She narrowed her eyes. “I knew the gesture wasn’t selfless.”

“When there’s a possibility for sex, it’s never selfless.”

She smirked then threw a pillow at my stomach. “Jerk.”

I laughed. “Your point?”

She jumped on the bed then threw another pillow at my head. “You’re lucky you’re so hot, Mike.”

I grabbed her ankles and pulled them out from under her, making her fall to the bed. “You think I’m hot?” I gave her the cockiest grin I could muster.

“No.”

“Sure…” I winked at her. “You know you want this all night long.”

She pushed her feet to my chest while she arched her back. “You got a problem with that?”

I kissed her ankles and her shins. “Not a single one.”

“Good.” She watched me cherish her body with kisses. “Quickie before we go?”

I climbed on top of her with the speed of light. “I knew I fell in love with the right girl.”

“And I know I’ve fallen for the right man.”

When we arrived at the bar, I threw my credit card on the counter and put everything on my tab. The girls could order whatever they wanted, as long as they wanted.

Veronica and Lana still eyed me with disapproval. I knew it would take me a while to win them over. Hopefully, when Zeal made her appearance, she could warm them up for me. Zeal was definitely the alpha of this group of girls.

“You want another one, baby?” I asked as I placed my arm over the back of her chair.

“I shouldn’t. You’re going to get me so drunk.”

I pushed the almost empty glass closer to her. “That’s the point.”

“
Because that’s the only way you can get laid?” Veronica jabbed.

Ouch. That was low. Good. But low.
I had nothing to say in my defense. After all, it was true, partially.

Cassandra sighed. “Come on, guys. Be nice.”

“Why?” Lana asked. “Our best friend is with a total jerk. Why should we be nice?”

“He’s not a jerk,” Cassandra argued. “
He used to be when I didn’t know him.”

“Baby, it’s okay.” I appreciated her defense, but that wasn’t how I wanted to win them over. “I’ll be right back.” I walked to the bar and got her another
cosmo. As soon as I left the table, I knew they were talking about me. Cassandra would defend me while her girlfriends ripped me to shreds.

“Hey.” Zeal appeared at my
side, wearing a black cocktail dress. Compared to her usual attire, her outfit was very conservative. Her ass wasn’t hanging out and her tits were tucked away.

“You took my advice to heart.”

“Well, if I don’t want to be treated like a whore, I shouldn’t act like one, right?”

“Wiser words I’ve never heard,” I said with a smile. “Can I get
you a drink?”

“Cosmo.”

I ordered it and handed it to her. “Anything else?”

“I’m good.” While she had terrible manners and an attitude, she was still civil to me. And that was enough.

We walked back to the table and I pulled out the chair for Zeal. She sat down without argument, and Lana and Veronica watched us in surprise. I took my place at Cassandra’s side and placed the drink in front of her.

“Hey,” Zeal said. “How’s it going?”

“Good,” Veronica said. “Why are you late?”

She shrugged. “If you’re important, people will wait.”

“Well, you’re getting less important,” Veronica snapped.

Zeal chuckled but retained her posture.

Cassandra eyed her. “Mike told me you guys had a talk.”

“We did,” she said. “He’s not so bad.” She winked at me.

I smiled back.

“What?” Veronica did a double take. “I thought you hated this guy?”

“I did,” Zeal said calmly. “But he won me over. I think he genuinely loves Cassandra. We should be happy for her.”

I liked where this was going. By the end of the night, Cassandra would be doing dirty stuff to me because
she’d be so thrilled. I couldn’t wait.

“Talk about a 180,” Lana said.

Zeal shrugged. “It’s rare, but it happens.”

We settled into a conversation about the magazine they worked for. I tried as hard as I could to focus and participate in the conversation even though it was incredibly dull. But I made the effort for Cassandra. I wanted her to marry me, and I had to work my ass
off for her to realize she should.

“Mike, are you high in that company you work for?” Zeal asked. “You have a nice office.”

Cassandra clearly hadn’t told them I was loaded. I was actually happy about that. She didn’t care that I was rich, and she respected my privacy. But I was throwing all my cards on the table tonight. “I own it.”

Her eyes widened, as did everyone else’s. “Oh…”

Yep. You better like me now.

“Cassandra didn’t mention that.” Zeal gave her a threatening look.

“I’m pretty quiet about it,” I said modestly. “When you have money, people act differently around you.”

Both Veronica and Lana leaned forward, suddenly interested in me.

“My brother and I run it together.”

Zeal looked at Cassandra. “Why did
n’t you tell us?”

She shrugged. “It didn’t seem important.”

“So…” Veronica placed her hand on her throat. “Are you a millionaire?”

“Something
like that.”

They looked at Cassandra with new eyes. I didn’t want to be liked because of my money, but I was willing to do anything and everything to get her frie
nds on my side. I knew they would gossip about me the moment I was gone, and I needed them to push for me, not tell Cassandra to find someone else. And I needed them to tell her to marry me.

Veronica nodded her head
in approval. “Cassandra, you did good with this one.”

She looked pissed. “I love Mike for who he is, not his money.”

“Sure.” Lana winked.

“He’s the sweetest, most caring man in the world,” Cassandra said.
“Even when I feel hideous on my worst days, he makes me feel beautiful. When I talk, he listens. He makes me feel loved every single day. And I trust him implicitly. I never wonder what he’s doing when I’m not around. He could be dirt poor and I would still love him forever.”

I moved my hand to her waist. “I know, baby. You don’t need to convince me.” I gave her a gentle kiss over her ear.

“Whatever you say,” Veronica said.

“You shouldn’t like Mike because he’s rich,” Cassandra said firmly. “There’s more to him than you’ll ever know.”

Lana eyed me. “Your brother still married…?”

“Happily,” I said quickly. I turn
ed to Zeal and gave her the eye, pressuring her to reach the topic I was interested in discussing.

“You should totally get married,” Zeal said in a rush. She made it pretty obvious that it was a forced comment.

Cassandra’s eyes widened.

“I’d marry him,” Zeal said. “I think it’s a good idea.”

Veronica clapped her hands. “For your wedding gift to the guests, you could give them money.”

“And jewel
ry from Tiffany’s,” Lana added.

Wow. These girls were materialistic.

“We aren’t getting married,” Cassandra said quickly. “We’ve only been dating for a few months.”

“Then you should do it eventually,” Zeal said. “I think it’s a good idea.”

God, she was a horrible actress.

Cassandra got uncomfortable. “Let’s talk about something else.”

Judging the pissed look on her face, I knew this subject really got under her skin. And that broke my heart. How could she defend me to her friends and say I was the most wonderful man in the world but not want to marry me? Why was she so scared? I hoped she would understand I would never hurt her by now. She was the most important thing in the world to me. I did everything to prove that to her. What more could I do?