Stage
Riley
I was covered in sweat, but I was happy. Paul was finally out and about. He was going back to work. I needed to save money for college, but one night of splurging wouldn’t hurt anything too badly. The company that had employed the semi driver had covered everything that Dez hadn’t, and they’d sent some fancy lawyers over to our house to settle before we even got started on a lawsuit. It wasn’t a fortune, but it had given us some time to cover our expenses before Paul went back to work.
I heard the music stop before the music stopped. A booming voice came over the speakers. The DJ said, “Put your hands together for our majority owner, Desmond Barton!” The lights on the stage were turned on. I saw Dez standing there, wearing a suit. He was still so handsome that he almost made my heart stop. It hurt to think that he was Zara’s again.
I didn’t know why he’d invited Paul and me here, but I wanted to go home before I did something stupid like throw myself at Desmond and ask him why he’d chosen Zara over me.
“How’s everyone tonight? Feeling good?”
I forgot how much I missed his warm, deep voice. Whatever had healed in the time we’d been apart was torn right open. It was a mistake to come here. I took out my phone to text Paul that I was going home.
“Now, some of you might be wondering why this night is called the Paul and Riley Jenkins extravaganza. Paul is my best friend. We’ve been together through everything. He left the military to come home and take care of his little sister, Riley. Riley is the love of my life.”
I stopped texting and looked up at the stage. What the hell was happening?
“Riley, could you join me on the stage? Can you guys help me? She’s about this tall, dark skin, killer smile. Here’s her picture.”
I saw a huge photo of me projected on the wall above the stage. The people next to me started pushing me towards the stage. I had no idea what he was doing. When I got to the front, Dez crouched down and pulled me onstage.
“Riley Jenkins, everyone!”
Everyone started chanting Riley, my name, over and over again. I covered my mouth.
“Riley Jenkins, you’re part owner of this club.”
“Me?” I squeaked. “What?”
“You invested in this club before it hit it big. You have enough money to fulfill your dreams. Here’s your first dividend check.”
I covered my hands as he handed me a check with more money than I’d ever gotten in my life.
“But that’s not the biggest news of the night…or at least I hope it’s not.” Dez smiled at me, and it was as dazzling as the ultra-bright stage lights.
He sank to one knee. He reached into his jacket to fish something out of his pocket.
I felt like a deer in the headlights as the lights caught a truly enormous diamond in that box.
“Riley Jenkins, will you marry me?”
The whole club started chanting YES YES YES YES. I didn’t know what to do. What about Zara? But he was very publicly proposing here on this stage. He took the trouble to say that this was the Jenkins’ night.
I felt a little dizzy. I could see the worry on his face, the first worry that I’d seen tonight. I was taking too long to answer.
He was playing dirty here. We hadn’t spoken to each other for a while. I was too overwhelmed to say anything. I looked at the cheering crowd. Instead of giving him an answer, I ran off the stage into the wings. I could hear the DJ start up the music again to cover my awkward exit. Dez was right behind me.
Reunited
Desmond
I followed Riley right into the wings. I knew that it was a long shot, but I still wanted to try.
“Riley?”
“In front of everyone!” She turned around. I knew she was mad from the way she was practically giving off sparks. “You and I have to talk before we even get involved, and you want to get MARRIED?” She shouted that last word.
“I knew that you were mine. I’m done with waiting.”