He growls in frustration. “I’d rather be taking this off of you.”
“And I can’t be late to my best friend’s rehearsal dinner,” I warn, turning and wrapping my arms around his neck. Reaching up on my tiptoes, I press my lips to his as soon as his hands go around my waist. Deepening the kiss, I can’t find it in myself to pull back and finish getting ready. It’s so unbelievable to me how, in less than a year, I’ve fallen so hard for this man, when I never wanted any of this for myself.
“Hey, what’s goin’ on in that beautiful head of yours?” he asks, caressing my lips with his thumb.
“Just…. You. You’re filling my head with all these feelings and perfectness. I can’t help but feel like it’s all too good to be true. It’s just so hard to believe.”
“Hmm…” He yawns, breaking the spell he’s had over me.
“You’re so tired lately, Benton…. Why don’t you take some time off work?”
He gives me a funny look, then chuckles and shakes his head. Stepping back from me, his hands run down his face, and he sighs and curses.
“It’s not work, babe… I think with everything moving like it is between us, my brain just is moving faster than my body wants to. It’s all good… no need to worry. Come on, don’t wanna be late.” Grabbing my purse for me, he waits impatiently for me to finish my hair so we can leave.
What an abrupt change of mood. Just a few moments ago, he looked like he could ravage me and now he can’t wait to leave.
I didn’t lie when I told Benton this all seems too good to be true. I’m not sure why I can’t wrap my head around this, but I feel like something bad is lurking in the corners. I mean, other than my crazy mother.
Hannah’s been with Benton’s dad all day, and I’ve been primped and pampered with the help of Adam’s Black American Express. He’s good for something, I guess.
“Babe!” Benton yells from the living room.
So impatient!
“Coming, hang on!” I yell back, trying to make my hair perfect for the dinner tonight.
“No, really, Gabby get in here,” he yells again.
What the hell? I walk into the living room to see his eyes glued to the TV, and my heart immediately starts slamming in my chest. What happened? Where is she? This means they haven’t found her, right?
“Police surround a home in Bloomington, Illinois today after a tip that Lynette Burns Rosdale is hiding inside. The standoff has been going on for hours now. Let’s go to…”
That’s all I hear. My ears start to buzz, and I have to sit down.
“She was on her way here,” I whisper, staring at the woman’s image on the screen. The woman who put me through so much torture as a child. The woman that gave me life, and then ruined it.
“They got her, though,” he says, sighing. Looking at me, he smiles and laughs. “They fucking got her, Gabby! You don’t have to be worried anymore! There’s no fucking way she’s getting out of that… did you see how they had the house surrounded?!” He’s so damn happy and hugging me that I can’t help but feel some of his relief.
I laugh, because he’s completely right. I don’t have to worry every time I take Hannah outside. I don’t have to look over my shoulder to make sure no one’s following us. She’s locked away, and isn’t getting out any time soon. I’m sure that day will come, but I know now that she’s gone, and I feel a little freer than I have these last twelve years.
“Come on,” I say smiling. “We’re going to be late… and I have good news to tell the bride.”
Soon, we’re out the door and finally on our way to the Langham Chicago, one of the most expensive places in the city to party, but Adam’s not about to go low key on this event. Tomorrow is my best friend’s wedding, and I’m so happy for her, but I can’t help but feel a little green with envy that she can lead a normal life like I’ve always wanted but not deserved.
The entire drive, he still seems off about something. Nervous, almost. What’s his deal this week? I’ve noticed him working late into the night. I’ve noticed him getting up when he thinks I’m asleep to get work done. What’s going on at work that he has to work longer hours plus stay up all night? I know he’s busy, but that’s just insane.
By the time we get to the rehearsal dinner, everything is in full swing. Benton is white as a ghost for some reason, but, the minute we walk in the room, Annaliese finds me and grabs my hand, awkwardly playing with my fingers as she talks about everything we have to do tomorrow.
“So, you two are good the whole day?” She’s asked me this about a hundred times tonight, and each time she gets the same answer.
“Yes, babe. Hannah is with Benton’s dad all weekend. Tomorrow is just for you. Promise.”
She pulls me into a bear hug and squeals, making me smile and remember our crazy college days like they were just yesterday. It’s amazing how much growing up we’ve both done since this time last year.
The night goes off perfectly and, when it ends, I’m ready to get this weekend over with. I’m so excited and happy for Annaliese, but I just want to start my new life with Benton. All of my shit is currently in boxes in storage because we still haven’t had time to properly move anything. I’m ready to move on.
“You wanna take a walk?” Benton asks on our way to the car. It’s dark and late, but knowing I don’t have a crazy person out for me makes me more willing to spend time in public, even if it is the middle of Chicago in the middle of the night.
“Sure,” I say smiling. He takes my hand and leads me on a walk. Before I know it, we’re in the last place I ever imagined we’d end up.
The building we first met at: my old apartment complex.
“Benton, what the hell are we doing here?” I ask, suddenly confused and worried he’s going to tell me to move back in here. What if he pulled strings and got me my apartment back? I can’t… he doesn’t want me? “Are you telling me to move back in?” I whisper, eyes wide, staring at him as he grins at me.
“Relax, babe.” He pulls out a black tie from his back pocket and smiles. “Sorry, but I have to.”
“Over my eyes?! What the hell, Benton?” I huff when he wraps the tie around my face. “I’m gonna fall.”
“I’ve got you,” he says, taking my hand and leading me inside. I didn’t live in this building too long, but I remember it like the back of my hand. He’s taking me to the roof.
The roof?
“Okay… so I have to take this off, but I need you to promise to keep your eyes closed. Can you do that?” His breath on my ear, I feel the heat pool between my legs at his proximity. I nod my head silently and, as he slips off the tie, I squeeze my eyes closed, keeping to my promise.
I don’t know how long I stand there, and I try to use my other senses to figure out what’s going on, but I get nothing. I never really knew this building had a rooftop where people can go and hang out at… probably because I never tried having many social gatherings.
I’m not a huge fan of crowds.
“Okay,” I hear him say from somewhere nearby. “You can open your eyes.”
I take a breath and slow open my eyes to reveal what he seemed so weird about tonight. Everywhere there are lanterns strung, lighting a path to Benton. My Benton.
“What is this?” I whisper as I slowly make my way to him. As I pass by a lantern, I notice they aren’t just paper lanterns. They have images on them.
Images of me. Images of us. Pictures I never knew he took cover each paper lantern. He had these made?
When I look up at him, he’s smiling gently, watching my reaction to his obvious love for me.
“These are beautiful,” I whisper, walking by a lantern scattered with images of Hannah and I. Candid pictures I don’t remember him taking.
“They are how I see you, Gabby. Every image on these shows you how beautiful you really are. You don’t see yourself like I do. I see a beautiful, strong woman who loves the people closest to her unconditionally. I see a woman with a broken past, but not a broken woman. I see a strong fighter, not a weak girl.” He smiles his famous smile, and I see a slight twinkle in his eyes.