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“Can you do me a favor on your way?”I asked, feeling a little better. “I need a red magic marker. Make that a permanent magic marker.”
“Anything for you, Solitaire.”
“Thanks.”
“Dare I ask what it’s for?”
“Just something I was thinking about doing. It’s for in-case.”
“You’re scaring me. Hey, you wanna join me for Valentine’s tonight so I won’t be alone?”
Chapter 74
AUGUST
My cell chimed, the elevator was on its way up. I turned it to video to see it was Gunner returning, and not Asher. I slowly walked over to the elevator to wait. When the doors opened, I spoke before he could.
“Gunner, can you please tell me where Imogen is?” I pleaded to a very stern-faced Gunner. “I don’t deserve her forgiveness, but I need it. I need her.”
“No, you don’t deserve her forgiveness, but she needs you too. I’ve just come from speaking with her,” Gunner said. “If I bring you to her, you better be prepared to go big.”
“I will. I’ll make this better if she’ll let me.” I stood, hands in my pockets, waiting for a response. When none came, I went on. “I want to marry her. As cheesy as it sounds, she’s my soulmate. Please help me.”
“I warned you this was going to happen days ago. I warned you not to hurt her,” Gunner demanded.
“I know you did,” I said apologetically. “I was so busy helping my family I forgot to help myself. I never ever intended for this to happen, but I can’t help how I feel for her. I don’t care if she was supposed to marry Asher. She’s mine now, not his.”
“That’s the answer I wanted to hear.” He stepped out of the elevator. “What’s your plan?”
“Can you help me get her to the fountains, the ones she got into that first day here?” I asked, waving him over to the table where a red velvet box sat. “Hopefully, she’ll understand how long ago I started falling in love with her. I designed this ring and I’ve been waiting for the right time to give it to her. As myself.”
“That’s a beauty, and looks more like our girl than that big rock you gave her before.” Gunner picked up the box to look at the ring. “I understand why you gave her the other one, but this is much better.”
“Thank you for not telling her when you figured it out, but I wish I had,” I said, putting the ring box in my pocket. “We have a few stops to make, then I need you to get her there. Can you do that?”
“I texted her on my way here to speak with you. I told her I want her to join me for Valentine’s tonight, so I won’t be alone,” he responded, walking to the bar for a drink.
“How did you know I had a plan?” I asked, surprised.
“I didn’t, but I was coming here to make you get one. Now I don’t have to.” He took a swig of the scotch he’d just poured. “What else do you need to do?”
“I already ordered twenty large bouquets of flowers, like the ones I was holding that day in the hospital when Imogen ran into my life. And after many phone calls, I found a local band that would meet me at the fountains and play Frank Sinatra’sStrangers in the Night,”I concluded.
“Sounds well thought out,” he replied. “She just answered back that she’d love to join me tonight.”
“What else am I missing, Gunner?” I asked, scratching my head.
“Have you asked her father’s permission to marry her?” Gunner asked, leaning on the back of the couch. “I would say that’s very important.”
“I called him an hour ago and recorded our conversation for Imogen to hear.” I looked at my phone for the tenth time to make sure it was still there. “I guess that’s it. I’m ready to grovel. Let’s go.” Almost instantly, “I just remembered what I’m missing. I need towels and blankets in the car,” I mumbled, walking to my bedroom for them.
“I’m not even going to ask what those will be for,” Gunner said, walking to the elevator. “I’m going to round up some security help, then I’ll meet you at the car in five minutes.”
The car ride felt like it took an hour, when in reality it was more like fifteen minutes. The band was in place, as were the massive flower bouquets circling the whole rim of the fountain. Pierre had done everything exactly as I’d asked, including pay the powers that be, ahead of time, so they didn’t send the police. Gunner had surveyed the area for paparazzi and hired a few security guards from the hotel to come help, last minute.
“Time to go get Solitaire. I’ll be back in ten minutes,” Gunner said before pulling away from the curb.
All I need now is Imogen…and lots of luck!
