Page 50 of Lucky 22

“You were looking pretty intense a moment ago. What were youthinking about?”

I don’t even hesitate. “Us, and the incredible path we’vetaken to get here tonight. Between movie premieres, out-of-state physicaltherapy, and hundreds of phone calls, it feels like a lifetime, but it’s not.”Pulling back, I give him a sweet kiss on the lips. “Plus, we met each other’sfamilies and survived. I think we can handle anything the new year throws atus.”

He laughs and brushes a strand of hair from my face. “Have Itold you how beautiful you look tonight?”

I nod just as the clock on the TV starts its countdown.

Ten… nine… eight…

The noise in the room swells, friends shouting, glassesclinking. But right here in our cozy spot, everything feels still.

Christian takes one of my hands in his. “Ella Rose,” he saysquietly, like he doesn’t want to lose the moment to the noise. “I love you.”

My breath catches. All the laughter, the chaos, and thesparkle falls away. My heart feels ready to burst. We’ve said I love you inevery way except with those three wonderful words.

Until now.

I look up at him, my heart full and steady. “I love you,too.”

Three… two… one!

The room erupts in cheers, confetti, and the pop of corks,but we barely notice. Christian kisses me, deep and sure, as fireworks light upthe night outside the window.

When we finally pull apart, the noise feels far away. Herests his forehead against mine as we both smile.

“Happy New Year,” he murmurs.

“Yeah,” I whisper, my voice catching. “It really is.”

I have no idea how long we stay like that. All around us,the music swells, and laughter fills the room again. It’s a celebration, afterall. But not just for the new year. It’s a celebration for all the newbeginnings.

Chapter Nine

The new year is off to an amazing start.

January is a lot of life as usual, but I ultimately land arole as a series regular on Workin’ forLaughs. It’s a sketch comedy series celebrating everyday folks doing whatthey do best—finding humor in the hustle. Several well-known male stand-upcomics headline the series, and it’s heavy on Southern humor. I’m one of thefew full-time female cast members. It’s a huge deal, and I am so excited aboutit. Shooting won’t start for a couple of months, but it’s the sort of thingI’ve been working toward.

Meanwhile, Christian is gearing up for spring training. Withmy new TV role, I can’t go and stay with him for the entire time, so we’ll haveto do the long-distance thing. We sit down with our calendars, but I plan tofly out to see him as much as I can. The decision comes after a conversationthat really solidified the direction of our relationship.

Christian is getting into baseball-season mode. I alreadyknow how hard he works, and he’s shared everything he puts into his trainingwith me, but now, he sits me down to fully prepare mefor it.

We’re at his place near the beach, and he’s grilled us somesteaks for dinner. Christian is a grill master, and I’m ready to dig in when hereaches for my hand.

“Ella Rose, I love you so much, and I still can’t believeyou’re mine.”

Aww…

“In any other situation, I would have been down on one kneealready and putting a ring on your finger.”

“Christian…”

“I need you to understand why I haven’t,” he says somberly.He gazes at our hands briefly before looking up again. “I have always beenhonest with you about my work ethic and how I spend the season.”

I nod, because he has.

“But it’s very important to me that you experience a fullbaseball season with me. I need you to get to know me during abaseball season before we fully commit to each other.”

He’s a little emphatic on that point, but before I can arguethat I already know him and that nothing will surprise me, he goes on.