And through it all, Marshal is being patient with me. There’s no rush, and right now, we’re enjoying all of the benefits that accompany being engaged to your best friend.
Since Marshal had time remaining on his apartment lease and the market is—for lack of a better word—fantastic, we decided to move in together into his apartment. It’s not our forever home.
I happen to know a fantastic architect, and we’ve been discussing the finer points of our one-day dream home. Not once during our conversations has either of us mentioned median income, the best private schools, or access to the country club.
Considering that my condo sold the day it went on the market, our conversations regarding the future have a lot of luster.
“I’m so glad you both could make it,” Kristy McMann says as she opens the front door and Marshal and I step inside her home, brushing the snow from our shoes. She reaches for my hand. “Oh, Sami, it is nice to finally meet you. Jason tells me that you’re the best thing to happen to Marshal, and to think, the two of you have been friends most of your lives.”
“Best friends.”
“Since five years old,” Marshal adds.
My cheeks rise into a grin, enjoying the familiarity of the man at my side. From his soft blue eyes, chiseled jaw, and broad shoulders to everything hiding under his suit, I know that I’m getting a not only handsome man but a good one. “I think we both know how unusual and special what we have is.”
Kristy shakes her head with a smile as she takes our overcoats. “I just adore good love stories.” She lifts her chin toward the open living room decorated for the holidays and filled with others from McMann Architectural and their companions. “Please, enjoy yourselves. There’s food and drinks” —she leans close— “and I’m hoping it is all eaten, so please...”
The McManns’ home is beautiful and grand; set outside Grand Rapids, it sits on over twenty-five acres placed on a hill over a lake. From the large windows, we can see out to the now-frozen lake as the moon reflects off the shimmering snow.
After talking to Marshal’s boss and with drinks in hand, Marshal smiles at me as we approach a lovely woman. I know without the introduction who she is. She is Melinda Beavo, one of the key members of the team that with Marshal helped to land the big Sirius Hotel deal and even more importantly, someone he considers a friend and mentor.
For some reason, our paths haven’t crossed before now, and after all the great things Marshal has said, I’m more than excited to meet her.
Melinda turns as we come to a stop. “Oh, you’re Sami.”
“I am,” I say. “And Melinda, I’ve heard so many wonderful things about you.”
A confident smile brightens her expression. “I’m surprised. You see, when Marshal’s not working on securing multibillion-dollar deals, your fiancé seems to have only one subject on his mind.”
Sex.
With Marshal I was confident that subject would be sex.
Warmth fills my cheeks. “I hope he doesn’t overshare.”
“Only about how much he loves you.”
“Marshal,” Jason calls from near the temporary bar. “Come over here a minute. We have a debate about...”
Marshal squeezes my hand. “Will you be all right?”
“I promise to take care of her,” Melinda says as I nod.
“He’s a bit overprotective,” I say by way of an excuse.
“So I’ve noticed.”
“I’m capable of slaying my own dragons, but it’s nice to have Marshal in my corner.”
“You are.” Melinda nods. “You slew a big one and I commend you for the choice you made.”
The small hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention. “Excuse me?”
“I don’t want to talk out of school...”
“Is this about me or Marshal?” I ask.
Melinda leads me away from the crowd to a more secluded corner near a decorated tree that must be fifteen feet high. “I hope you don’t mind me mentioning your ex.”