Chapter 25
We are both sated but weak and tired, so it takes me by surprise when Rory starts getting dressed to go out. I don’t understand his urgency to get to out the door until we arrive at our favorite bar,La Oficina.
The ‘open’ sign is off, and a flyer on the front door indicates the bar is closed for a special event, but the place is dark. Rory knocks, and Sofia opens up for us. As I step through, the lights come on, and a roar of “Welcome Home!” Blasts through me like heavy wind.
When my mind catches up to what just happened, I scan the room and see all the faces of everyone I met during my time in Kansas City. Dr. Ramirez, nurse Sara, Mandy, Tlali, and Izel all beam at me. They didn’t forget me. I feel the tears coming on, and I try to sniffle them back in. All my friends are here—my new family.
Mandy nearly crashes onto me when she hugs me. “We missed you so much, girl. Wait until I catch you up with everything that’s been going on.” She loops her arm with mine, as she’s done so many times before, and leads me to the bar to grab a glass of champagne.
When we get there, I realize Lisa and Tom, Rory’s parents, are both here. I go over to them and give them both a hug.
“It’s so good to see you, dear,” says Lisa. “You’re looking a lot better than the last time we saw you.”
“Thank you. I’m feeling a lot better, and I’m in remission. Things are looking good.”
“And you got some meat back on them bones,” says Tom.
“Tom! Don’t embarrass the girl—”
I laugh. “No. It’s okay. You’re absolutely right, Tom. I’m working on bulking up a bit again. Getting a little stronger.”
“That’s good,” he says and winks at me. “The Dennis men like our women strong, with a little meat on the bone—”
“Tom!” Lisa scolds again.
“What? I didn’t say anything wrong.”
Luckily, Rory interjects before I laugh at his parents again. “I’m so sorry,” Rory says. “Have they already gotten into trouble?”
“No, they’re fine.” I smile.
The surprise warms my heart. Rory had to have planned for this while he was in Mexico. I have no idea how he managed. I scan the room to see it’s not only people I know. Neil, Rory’s old roommate, who I remember from our one introduction, stands with a group of men at the other end of the bar. My mind flashes back to that moment at the bar when Rory told the group of men he was with he was bailing on them for someone else. I’m pretty sure it’s that very table of men chatting it up with Neil.
It hits me, then, that Rory has invited all his friends and family, whether I know them or not. And this is a ‘welcome home’ surprise party? Something isn’t quite adding up.
“Rory? What is this?” I ask.
Rory leads me to the bar and gestures for me to sit on one of the stools. With my back to the bar, I pin him with my eyes.
“What do you mean?” he asks.
“There are so many people here I don’t know . . .” My thought trails off when Rory’s mouth quirks into a playful smile.
He takes my hand in his and kisses it. He reaches behind me for something and then turns around to make his way to the center of the room. When he faces me again, I see a champagne glass in one hand and a spoon in the other. He clinks the spoon to the glass, and my heart rate quickens to the chime.
Oh god. What is he about to do? I want to run with the anticipation of his speech, but everyone is so silent and frozen to their spots, any movement from me will only draw attention. I curse Rory Dennis, and I curse barstools. There’s something about a barstool and Dr. Dennis in the same room that always ends in disaster.
Then he speaks. “Thank you, everyone, for being here, and to those of you who helped me organize this, I am forever grateful. If you’re in this room, you know the beautiful woman sitting at the bar.” All eyes turn to me, and I sink in my seat a little. My face feels hot, and I want to run. But I can’t. I’m going to kill him for this.
Rory goes on. “If you don’t know Valentina Almonte personally, you know of her. You know of her because if you are here tonight, you’re important to me, and if you’re important to me, you know I can’t shut up about her.” Rory chuckles, and polite little laughs follow around the room. This isn’t funny, Rory Dennis. I stew silently as he continues his speech.
“This year, I almost lost her. That experience only taught me to cherish her and have as much of her time as she’ll allow me to have.” Rory sets down the two items in his hands and holds my eyes. He fumbles a bit with his collar, then sticks his hand into his pants pocket, producing a familiar box.
Well-played, Rory. Well-played. The last time he tried to do this was in private. He won’t give me a chance to say no; that’s why he’s doing this in front of everyone. If I hadn’t already decided to marry him, this could be construed as manipulation.
Rory walks to where I’m sitting and gets down on one knee. I look down at the box in his hands, then back at him. His face is hopeful but strained, like he is holding his breath, and everyone around us quiets like they’re holding their breath with him in solidarity.
I have my life back—a second chance. When I was diagnosed, all I wanted was to experience life, to see places, art, meet people, eat food I’d never dreamed of. Now I know that not only will I have the time to do all those things, but that Rory Dennis will be by my side for all of it. I know in my heart he is the man I will grow old with—now that I get to grow old.
“Valentina Almonte, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”