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I’m not expecting company. I don’t want company. I just want to be alone. I hope whoever’s there will just go away. Maybe they’ll think I’m not home and give up. Then the bell sounds again. And in only a few seconds it rings a third time. Whoever it is doesn’t seem to be going to give up.
When I answer the door I see a man who’s been through a similar journey as mine. His hair looks damp like he just got out of the shower, but his eyes are bloodshot and his expression is troubled.
And he’s a sight for sore eyes. In fact, I’m just thinking that he’s never been more handsome. He stands there silent for a moment and he opens his mouth to speak and closes it. I have no idea why he’s here. I want to spill my anguish out to him but I hold everything in waiting for him. He’s the one that came to me and I must wait to find out why.
Finally, he speaks. “I don’t want to give up. I don’t think I can. I want to find a way to make this work.” Then he waits. His arms hanging to his sides. I see his hands go to fists and I know how much it took for him to come here right now.
I can’t hold back and I reach for him. Suddenly we’re holding on to each other for dear life.
“I didn’t think I’d see you again. I’m so glad you’re here.” I don’t know what to say except to be honest.
As he pulls away, he looks into my eyes. “Can I come in? Can we talk?”
Smiling and nodding, I pull him inside.
We sit close on the couch holding hands. He takes a deep breath and starts the speech I’m sure he’s thought through as much as he could given the uncertainty of our situation. “I’m really sorry about how I left things when you told me about the job. But I’ve had some time to think and I’d be a fool to let this be the end.”
I nod as I wait for him to continue.
“I realized it’s pretty simple. I love you. I’ll do whatever it takes to make this work. I’ve got a few ideas and it might take every single one of them, but we’re worth it.”
For a long moment I’m silent. I’d hoped for this but now that Sam was here, I didn’t know what to say. I feel like I have to be a voice of reason, at least a little bit.
“It’ll be hard,” I warn. “We won’t have much time together, especially over this next year.”
“Like I said, we’ll figure it out.” I feel his arms go around me and it feels like home. “I believe in you, and I believe in us.”
“I believe in us, too.”
And all of a sudden he’s pulling my tank top over my head. I’m not wearing a bra and his hands are cupping each of my breasts. My nipples bead under his fingers and he pinches them gently, then urgently.
I stand up as his hands fall away. He looks startled and I just smile and head to my bedroom. Then he’s on his feet pushing me to hurry. Once I pull the comforter back, I take off the rest of my clothes and he’s naked in record time.
We spend the next hour kissing, stroking, and making love. This is better than any make up sex ever in the world had ever been. While I wasn’t happy we’d been through such a difficult time, I couldn’t help but be thankful for this moment and how things had taken this turn.
Epilogue
Sam
As Amanda and I stroll down Main Street holding hands, my fiancée keeps peeking at her newly sized engagement ring.
“Still like it?” I ask her, half-teasing. She’s done nothing but wax poetic about her how fabulous my ring looks on her finger. I have to agree.
“I love it. It’s beautiful. I think I like the inscription more, though.Forever yours. I can’t wait to marry you.”
So far, splitting our time between our small town and Atlanta hasn’t been a cakewalk, but I’d do anything for her and she knows it. We’ve each made our share of sacrifices, and I’m looking into buying a second studio location in the Arts District in Midtown to put us closer together more often.
She’s worth it—we’re worth it. And it’s a good business move on top of everything.
I see our friends Harrison and Trina chatting as she waters the flowers in the pots along the front of her shop. I can’t help but smile as I remember her wise words as I spiraled out of control that day in front of my gallery. She’s probably the reason I’m ecstatically happy today.
“And how are you two this fine morning?” Trina asks with a wink.
I throw my freshly minted fiancée a look, and she nods.
“Well, we’re engaged, so I’d say we’re doing quite well,” I say, lifting Amanda’s left hand to show off her ring. These two are the first to find out. We hadn’t even told our families yet.
“That’s so exciting,” Trina exclaims, inspecting the glittering silver ring, which is a pearl surrounded by a swirl of diamonds. “I’d love to design your wedding gown. I hope you’ll let me do it!”
