How We Fell in Love: Grace and James's short story Read online

  “Since you are feeling better now, I think you should start your own company.”

  I groan. This is a conversation we have daily. “James, I told you. I’m not taking your money.”

  “Fine. What if I start the business and you run it?”

  I roll my eyes. “You know I’m not stupid, right?”

  He chuckles before kissing my temple. “I’m aware. But you need to make money. You say it all the time. So, do it. Run my company. I don’t have time.”

  I roll my eyes even though I want to say yes so bad. I miss working, and I’m tired of mooching off Shea and James. I want to make my own money, be able to support my child for when James decides he’s tired of my shit. But if I do this, what happens when he does? Will he fire me too? My chest feels heavy as I shrug. “I don’t know.”

  “Think about it.”

  “Okay,” I agree as we get to his car.

  “Next question.”

  “Wow. Loads of questions today.”

  He laughs. “Maybe.” I smile, and he returns it, though his is wider. “Have you thought of a name for the little guy?”

  I bite my lip. “I’d love to name him Ryan, after Shea’s middle name.” James doesn’t seem surprised, and that fills me with such delight. “And then James after you.”

  He nods. “So, Ryan James?”

  “Yes,” I say slowly. “Do you like it?”

  He leans into me, holding me close to him. “I love it almost as much as I love you and him,” he says, pressing his hand to my growing belly.

  Tears rush to my eyes as I gaze up at him. He quickly kisses the tip of my nose. “But I get to name the girl.”

  I grin at him, and I hate how hopeful I feel. “James—”

  “Shh. Don’t ruin this for me.”

  I snort. “Fine.”

  “Now, what are you doing Saturday?”

  I shrug. “Nothing.”

  “That’s right, because I’m taking you somewhere.”

  I eye him. “Do I need a pretty dress?”

  He leans into me, kissing my nose again. “Baby, you always need a pretty dress.”

  I don’t know why, but hearing him say that makes my cold, dead heart burst to life like the fires of hell are coming for me.

  September 7th

  I stand in the middle of a beautiful field of small white flowers. So many, they cover the field like a huge blanket. After a ten-minute walk, we entered this field that seems to go on for miles. I glance around, confused, but James just looks back at me, grinning from ear to ear. The air is cool but feels good. The sun is shining, making the field seem even bigger and brighter.

  Almost like James’s eyes.

  “I knew it.”

  I raise a brow. “Knew what?”

  “That you’d look stunning in this field.”

  My heart skips a beat as he takes my hand, pulling me with him. “Those one-liners get me every time.”

  He kisses the side of my mouth. “That’s the plan.”

  When he winks at me, I smile before asking, “What is this?”

  “The land for our future home.”

  I blink. “I’m sorry, what?”

  He holds up his other hand. “I love Shea, don’t get me wrong. But I feel we need our own place to raise our son.”

  “But, James—”

  “Hear me out.”

  We reach the middle of the field, and I wish I could look around, take in the beautiful splendor, but James has my attention. He hasn’t even said what he wants to say, but my heart is already jackhammering in my chest.

  “I know, baby. I know you’ve been hurt. And listen, we can beat that horse until it’s dead, but I’d rather not. I’d rather look at our future.” He places his hand on my stomach. “And, Grace, it’s gonna be one hell of a future.”

  “This is a beautiful spot, but I don’t want to live so far out.”

  He nods thoughtfully. “Okay, then we’ll look somewhere closer in town.”

  I swallow hard, feeling very overwhelmed. “James, I’m scared—”

  “I’m not done,” he interrupts. “I know you’re scared. I know this all freaks you out, but Grace, this is one promise I can make and know I’ll keep. I’ll never love anyone the way I love you. I already love our son, but still, the love I have for you is extraordinary. You’re mine always. I just don’t understand how you can’t see that you light up my life. You blow my world apart. Damn it, Grace, when I said I wouldn’t leave you, I meant it. From deep inside me.”

  Of course, the tears flood my eyes and fall down over my cheeks.

  “I thank my lucky stars that you looked at me and asked me to stay that night. I am so thankful that we were so passionate for each other, we may have forgotten a condom, and in return, we got this amazing baby. This home we’re gonna build, wherever it turns out to be, is where we are going to die, and then we can become ghosts and haunt the kids.”

  Through my tears, I grin. “Oh, James.” When he drops to one knee, I cover my mouth. “What are you doing?”

  He reaches into his pocket, and when he looks up at me, there are tears in his eyes now too. “I’m about to propose to you with the ring I bought on April fourth.”

  I gasp as he opens the box, a huge, stunning diamond sparkling up at me. “April fourth? Wasn’t that the day I got sick at the club?”

  “The day after that night. That night when I knew I wouldn’t love anyone else but you.”

  “Oh my God, James. You’re killing me,” I cry, but he just smiles.

  “I love you, Grace. And I made sure to ask Shea. He’s behind me one hundred percent.”

  He pauses to let that sink in, and a sob escapes my lips. “You asked my brother.”

  “He’s your best friend. I had to make sure he was cool with me being with you for the rest of our lives.”

  “Dammit, James,” I cry. “You’re making this so hard.”

  “Hard to say no? Good. Marry me, Grace.”

  The lump in my throat is choking me as the tears fall hard and fast down my face. As I stare into his eyes, I want to say yes. I do. But it’s just so soon. I fall to my knees and scoot closer to him, wrapping my arms around his back. He looks at me, and I know he knows what I’m about to say. “James, it’s way too early for me. I mean, we haven’t even hit six months, and I just know you won’t want me long term. I get it. Your heart is awesome and beats for me, but mine is dead and doesn’t work or something. I don’t know. I’m so sorry—”

  “Stop,” he demands, his nose pressing into mine as he inhales deeply. “So, at six months, you’ll say yes. I’ll ask you every day just in case.”

  “James, are you sure? I mean—”

  “Yes, this isn’t just sex. And you know it. This is love. You love me. You’re just too scared to admit it.”

  Do I love him?

  “I don’t know that to be true,” I blurt, and I know he doesn’t like that answer. I feel awful, and I hate the look in his eyes. “But I do know I want to take you up the offer of running your business.”

  Something flashes in his eyes. “That is a start…”

  “But not enough? I understand—”

  “You are enough. You are everything. It’s a start because it means you trust me, which means you really love me. You’re just too scared to admit it. So, we’ll revisit this in two months.”

  God, he’s ruthless.

  Why does that turn me on?

  November 22nd

  “I think I need to work.”

  James gives me an exasperated look before reaching to take a shirt out of his suitcase. With the NHL taking a break, except for the two teams that are playing today, Shea, James, and I were able to fly up to Boston for Thanksgiving. I am so thankful to be home, especially since this is James’s first Thanksgiving eating a home-cooked meal made by my mom. He hasn’t had a family dinner in years, so I’m excited for him. Problem is, my brain won’t stop working.

  We opened Planning Your Moment a month ago, and it’s