Page 109 of Conflict

IF YOU’Dhave told me a year ago that I’d not only not be a virgin, but marry the man of my dreams, I’d have called you a liar.

But here I am, two weeks into being a wife, and life couldn’t be better. Of course, we had a lot of people to answer to, starting with Branson and Ariana. Surprisingly, Clay and Maria were much more understanding. We agreed to a post-wedding reception, which seemed to please all parties.

I’m putting the finishing touches on dinner when I hear the front door open. When Shane fills the doorway to the dining room, I grin at the sight of him, but when I see the hard line of his jaw, I take pause.

“Shane? What’s going on?”

He loosens his tie and looks at me. “I have to tell you something.”

“Okay…” I breathe. “Should I be sitting down for this?”

He swallows hard, and then worry sets it. “We won.”

I have no idea what he’s talking about, which must be evident because he quickly continues.

“Filiatrault. He chose Wellington.”

“That’s great, honey. Gosh, you scared me for a minute there. Please, next time, don’t be so dramatic.”

Surprise crosses his features. “You’re not upset?”

I shrug. “One of us had to win, and well, you probably had a whole lot more riding on this than me. I’m happy for you. I’ll always be proud of your accomplishments, even if I work for the competition. Plus, look on the bright side. This means an even sweeter birthday gift from Ariana this year,” I tease.

Shane takes a step forward, hooking his arm around my waist and drawing me close. “And me?” he asks, raising an eyebrow in question.

I rest my forehead against his chest then lift up to look at him. “Don’t make me say it, Shane.”

“Say what?” he asks with feigned innocence.

I roll my eyes, rising onto my tiptoes to kiss him. “You, dear husband, are the sweetest gift of all.”

Shane’s jaw twitches and when I lean back to catch his eyes, I see he’s trying not to laugh. Playfully, I push him away, glaring at him while setting my hands on my hips. “Are you laughing at me?”

His shaking shoulders answer my question. When he finally settles, he places both hands on my shoulders. “That was the cheesiest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“I know we’re both new to this whole marriage thing, but I don’t think you’re supposed to laugh at your wife when she’s trying to be sweet. Especially since she had dinner ready for you the moment you walked in the door.”

Shane’s eyes crinkle with laughter as he steps away from me. He crosses to his briefcase, then pulls out his phone. I watch as he programs something into it, and then the soft sounds of Elton John and George Michael come over the apartment’s speaker system. I’m watching him curiously. When he comes back to me, he takes me into his arms and starts swaying around the kitchen.

“You once asked me why I call you Sunshine, and I was interrupted before I could answer.”

My mind wanders back to that day in Vegas and I smile at the memory. “I’m pretty sure that was the moment you realized you loved me, so I think the interruption is forgiven.”

“I’m not going to complain about that,” he replies, just as George hits the chorus.

His arms tighten around my waist. “I wish the story was more romantic, or the meaning grander, but… the first time I saw you wasn’t at the hot tub. It was in the lobby.”

I rear back and meet his eyes. “Really? You never told me that.”

He shrugs. “If you recall, there wasn’t a lot of time for conversation that night.”

“True, and good point.”

“Anyways, ‘Don’t Let The Sun Go Down on Me,’ was on and well, after checking out your ass, my first thought was that I wouldn’t mindyougoing down on me. Second thought upon seeing you at the hot tub was, definitely wanted you to go down on me. Thus, Sunshine.”

At this point, Shane’s halted our movements and he peers down at me in earnest, waiting for my response.

I do the only thing I can.

I burst into a hysterical fit of laughter.

Nothing about our relationship has been conventional, and the fact that Shane’s nickname for me didn’t come with any cheesy, sappy sentiment is pretty much the icing on the cake. I never thought I’d be here, especially with our journey, but I know I’ll never let anything else, not work, not an overbearing boss, not my own stubborn stupidity, get between us again. Life’s too short, and having already lost a year in which I could’ve been with Shane, I vow never to forget it or make the same mistakes again.

So once I calm my quaking laughter, I rise on my toes, slips my arms around my husband’s neck, and bring my forehead to his, my catching locking in on his gaze.

“I love you, Shane.”

“And I love you, Sunshine. Always.”

The End