“Ember, sweetheart, what’s wrong? Where’s Hunter?”
“He’s gone. He said he had to do something and left.”
She placed her arms around me and hugged me tight. “Sit down. Dad will make a cup of tea, and we can talk.”
I sat down at the table, and within a matter of moments, I had a steaming hot mug of tea sitting in front of me.
“What happened?”
I explained everything that had happened last night from when I walked into my home and found Wayne with Stacey, the argument with Hunter, and that we had spent the night together. Obviously, I didn’t go into detail, but I was sure they could guess.
“He told me he loved me. That he always had. He just couldn’t be with me because of the stupid promise he made to Elliott. I’m frightened that I’ve lost him again, Mum. That because of what Elliott decided, I can never be with the man that I truly love.”
She took my hand and squeezed it as she spoke. “You know what Hunter is like. He is probably thinking everything through right now and will be back soon.”
I wasn’t as confident as my mum. I was sure that I would only have last night with him, and then he would be gone.
“Sweet pea, I know how much he loves you,” my dad added. “He always has. He asked me just before he was leaving on his first tour if I would give my blessing for you to marry him. Of course, I said yes.”
My dad paused for a second. “He also told me about the promise he made your brother. I didn’t agree with it and said I would talk to Elliott when he came home. Unfortunately, I never got to have that conversation with him. We have spoken many times since, but as you were engaged to Wayne, he thought he had lost his chance. Just give him some time. Don’t for one moment think last night was just a spur-of-the-moment emotional reaction. He wants to be with you forever. I’m sure of it.”
I couldn’t believe that I was just hearing this now from my dad. That he had known all about this, Hunter’s feelings, and the stupid promise he made.
“You knew, and you didn’t say anything?”
My dad looked at me sheepishly. “Guilty as charged, and for making another promise. Plus, it wasn’t my story to tell. Hunter was going to tell you, but then you announced your engagement to Wayne, so he just let you be, thinking you were happy. Please don’t be mad.”
I wasn’t mad. I was just worried I was losing him all over again. I realised now that I had never truly loved Wayne. I had always hoped in the back of my mind that Hunter would come and whisk me away into the sunset. I guessed when he didn’t, I’d just gotten used to the life I had and played along.
“Why don’t you call or message him, sweetheart? Tell him you want to talk.”
My mum always gave me the best advice. I pulled out my phone and called his number, but it went straight to voicemail. I guessed he might still be driving, so I sent him a message asking to meet up when he was done. From that moment on, it was just a waiting game.
It was nearlyfour o’clock in the afternoon and I still hadn’t heard a thing from Hunter. I was not only worried that he had left me again, but now I was starting to wonder if he had been involved in some kind of accident and couldn’t contact me. I had gone from sitting on the sofa worrying to now pacing up and down in my parents’ front room.
“I’m sure he’s fine, sweetheart. Please sit down and stop worrying about him.”
“But I love him, Mum. I only got to tell him for the first time last night, and now he has disappeared again.” I sat down, hung my head, and placed it in my hands as the tears started to fall. “My whole life is in tatters thanks to a stupid promise and a cheating ex-fiancé. Why did this have to happen?”
I felt my mum’s arm come around me and hold me close as someone rang the doorbell.
My dad got up from his chair. “I’ll get it.”
I heard voices coming from the hallway, but no one came in for a while. I thought for a moment that it might be Wayne. Then again, if it was, I would have probably heard the argument from here.
Then everything went quiet. I was about to look up when I felt someone take my hands in theirs and move them from my face. I looked up to find Hunter kneeling in front of me.
“Hunter, you came back. You’re okay.” I went to hug him, but he stopped me.
“Emmy, I have something I need to say to you, so I just need you to sit there and listen, please.”
What did he need to say? Was this the moment that my heart would break for a second time in twenty-four hours? I readied myself for the pain to come and nodded.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small ring box. When he opened it, it contained a beautiful diamond ring. I couldn’t help but gasp when I saw it and realised what he was about to do.
“Emmy, I have kept hold of this ring for over four years, hoping that one day, I would be able to give it to you. I have always loved you. I knew as soon as I met you when I was fifteen that there would never be another woman I would love like you.
“I know I have made some stupid mistakes and promises in my life. And I can’t take back all the pain and hurt that I have caused you in the past. However, I hoped after everything yesterday, we could start afresh. I didn’t want to wait another minute before doing this. Ember, my Emmy, my true love, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”
