“So you think I have commitment issues,” he finally states. It’s not a question.
“I don’t know why this conversation is turningto this. I’m really glad you want to be here with me and that’s what I want. I just want to know that you’re sure about giving up your apartment.”
“It’s not an unfair assumption. Even though I have had commitment issues in the past, that’s not why I’ve held onto it,” he takes a deep breath and turns his back to me as he looks out the back door.
“Andi, I don’t feel like I have anything to offer you. You have more money than I could ever dream of making on my own. You have a big, nice home and I have a small apartment. I held onto it because I was afraid you would wake up and decide I’m not enough for you – not good enough, not successful enough – just notenoughperiod.”
My heart just broke into a million pieces.
I walk up behind him, standing close enough to feel the heat radiate from his body, but I don’t touch him. I want him to feel my words right now.
“I was given some great advice when I was young. I was told,‘Once in a lifetime, you may find someone who can give you everything you’ve ever wanted. A man who can fulfill every desire, grant every wish, provide everything in the world and make every dream come true. Once in a lifetime, that person comes along and when you find him, you’d better hold onto him as tightly as you can.’
His shoulders slumped slightly. I continuedtalking.
“You’ve given me everything I’ve ever wanted, Luke. All the ways you love me is more important to me than any amount of money could ever be. You fulfill my every desire andyouare the world to me. I never even imagined someone as wonderful as you would be in my life. You’ve more than made my dreams come true and what you provide me can’t be bought.
Don’t ever feel like you’re not exactly what I want or need. AndI don’t want to hear you put yourself down like that ever again. I don’t care about money or status or material things. That’s not what I’m about and you really should already know that. I loveyou, who you are and how you make me feel.”
He turns to face me and his eyes are so full of love, I can feel it reaching out and touching me. He pulls me into hisarms and thoroughly kisses me until I feel my legs melting out from underneath me.
“I love you, Andi,” he repeats between kisses. “I’m taking you out tonight. Get all dressed up for me.” He smiles as he playfully swats me on the butt and walksoff towards the bedroom.
I’m so glad that potential argument was avoided, I don’t even question his demand to get dressed up. I’m just ready to spend some quality alone time with my man tonight! Off to the shower I go.
LUKE
We’re back in the same cozy restaurant where we first had dinner as friends. I can’t believe how much has happened in our time together. While there are things I wish I could go back and change, I wouldn’t trade one day with Andi for anything. I knew she was special the first time I saw her.
I didn’t know she would mean more to me than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life. More than my education, more than my boxing career, and more than my family’s acceptance. She has shown me what true strength is and what real love is. I can’t breathe without her.
“You look so beautiful tonight, you take my breath away. I am the luckiest man ever. I know I don’t deserve you, but I should warn you that I will never willingly let you go. I want you with me, Andi. Always.”
She leans in and kisses me so gently, so sweetly, but it’s still enough toheat me to the core. She runs her soft hand along my jawline and her beautiful smile lights up her face. I hold her hand in mine and just try to take in, once again, that she is real.
The words I’ve just told herare not just pretty words and they’re not spoken lightly. I’ve never been good at relationships and I’ve barely managed to hold this one together. But there is one thing I know without a shadow of a doubt – there is nothing that can keep me from her side. I would knock down the gates of hell without a second thought if that’s what it took.
I never thoughtI would even consider marriage. I’ve never been interested enough in anyone I’ve dated before to make long term plans. There have been plenty who wanted to talk about taking me home for the holidays while it was still the middle of July. That was enough to make me run for the damn hills. But Andi doesn’t make me feel that way at all.
With Andi, if she said she wanted to go to a deserted island with me at the end of next year, I’d make our reservations today and count down the days until I’d have her all to myself. She is everything I never knew I wanted, everything I never knew I needed, and more than I could ever ask for. She gets me, she believes in me and, my god, every way she loves me is unbelievable. Every cell in my body is drawn to her like a magnet is dawn to steel.
The waiter is at our table delivering the bottle of champagne I pre-ordered. I wanted it to be a surprise for Andi and I can tell it definitely is. Her eyes widen as she looks at the champagne flutes being placed before us. She jumps and laughs when the waiter pops the cork and I can’t help but laugh with her.
I hand her flute to her and pick mine up. “A toast.”
“What are we toasting to?” She asks with a smile.
“To you, Andi. Reclaiming your life, refusing to back down, and taking this stand to help others. You are an inspiration to me and you make me want to be a better man. I love you,” I clink my glass to hers.
“I love you, too, Luke,” she responds with eyes so watery it’s obvious she’s fighting back tears from my little speech.
As she places the flute on her lips, I still her hand with mine. “One more thing before we say ‘cheers.’”
“Oh – ok – I’m sorry. I thought you were through,” she replies and her cheeks blush a beautiful shade of pink.
“I love you, Andi. There isn’t a minute of the day that goes by without you on my mind in some way. Even when I’m with you. There is no other woman who can make me feel the way you do. There is no one else who could love me the way you love me. And, in my heart, my mind and my eyes, no one else even holds a candle to you.”
In one swift movement, I slide off of the seat and drop to one knee beside our table. In my outstretched hand, I hold out a black velvet box.
