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A soft knock at the door pulls me from the mirror. “Come in,” I call out.
Lena sneaks her head inside the door. “Oh, Layla,” she breathes. “You’re breathtaking. Owen isn’t going to know what to do with himself.” She smiles widely. “I have something for you.” She steps further into the room and closes the door.
“Lena, thank you for everything. For shopping and today. I’ve never had these kinds of moments, and I’ve really enjoyed my time with you.”
She nods as her eyes shimmer with tears. “I’ve enjoyed it too.” She hands me a small black box.
Slowly, I take the box from her hands and open the lid. I gasp when I see a pair of diamond stud earrings. “Lena, they’re beautiful.”
“Thank you. I thought they would complete your outfit.”
“I can’t wear these. What if I lose them?”
“Sweetheart, you won’t, and if you do, that’s okay. They’re material things. As long as my family is safe and healthy, losing an earring isn’t going to affect us.”
“I’ve never worn anything so beautiful or expensive.”
“Well, there’s a first time for everything. Try them on. Owen will be here soon.”
My hands shake as I place them in each ear, then pivot to look in the mirror. “Are you sure about this?” I ask, turning to look at her from over my shoulder.
“Positive. You’re beautiful, Layla.” She nods, her own eyes shimmering with unshed tears. The doorbell rings and her smile grows. “That’s him. Stanley told him he had to knock.” She giggles. “Now, I’m going to go down and call for you. That way, you can make a grand entrance.”
“Is this really necessary?” I ask.
“You bet it is. My boys have always had it too easy when it came to women. Please don’t take that the wrong way, but those Riggins genes are strong. I knew that when one came along that made each of them work for it, I was going to enjoy it. Please don’t take that from me.” She bats her eyelashes.
“Oh, fine,” I concede with a laugh.
“That’s my girl. Now, you have a good time this evening. Just be you, Layla.”
“Thank you.” I lean in and give her a hug. “I promise I’ll return your earrings. I’ll take good care of them.”
“Just take good care of you and my son, and we’re all set.” Deep voices carry up the steps. “He’s not going to let us play this game long. Not knowing you’re up here. I’ll call for you.” With another quick hug, she’s rushing out the door and back down the stairs.
Glancing around the room, Owen’s childhood room, I try to picture him growing up here. Trophies are still sitting on top of his dresser and there’s a football jersey framed and hanging on the wall. I would have loved to have known him then.
“Layla! Your date’s here,” Lena calls up the steps.
“Really, Ma?” I hear Owen chuckle.
“Here goes nothing,” I whisper into the quiet room. With one foot in front of the other, step after step, I make my way downstairs. I hear Owen’s intake of breath as our eyes lock. I get lost in an ocean of dark blue as his heated gaze stays on me. Once I reach the bottom step, he holds out his hand, helping me clear it.
“Hey, baby.” He leans down and kisses my cheek.
“No funny business with my girl,” Stanley says. He tries to sound stern but fails miserably as Lena smacks his arm.
“I need a couple of pictures.”
“By a couple, she means a couple hundred.” Stanley laughs.
“You’re— I don’t have the words, Layla. Breathtaking, gorgeous, beautiful, magnificent, Hell, all of it. You’re everything,” Owen says, sliding his arm around my waist and pulling me to his side.
“I’m going to need you all to look at me for a few of these,” Lena announces.
I turn to face her and realize she’s been snapping pictures. I can’t wait to see them. “Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’ll make you copies,” she assures me, reading my mind.
Owen and I pose for countless pictures, and she even has Stanley join us and then has him take a few of her with us as well.
“Mom, we really need to get going.”
“Have a great time.” She hugs me then Owen. We wave goodbye, and with my arm hooked inside of his, we walk outside, and I gasp.
“W-What is that?”
“A limo.”
“Where’s your car?”
“I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off you tonight, and it’s a special occasion. I took the off chance that you hadn’t ever ridden in one before.”
“We’re going to look silly, pulling up in this thing.”
“No, we won’t,” he assures me. “The majority of those there tonight have their own drivers who will be driving them in their own personal limos. Trust me.”
I nod. “This is like a fairy tale,” I say, more to myself than him, but he hears me.
