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“Thank goodness you’re here. I was about to start recitingpias far as I can,” Evan says. “Problem is I only remember three point one four.”
“Glad we could save you, then,” I tell Evan.
“More like save them,” Chance murmurs, amused as Evan heads up front. “He’s totally lying. He can probably go to twenty or thirty past the decimal point.”
Evan holds out his hands, and the crowd quiets. “I won’t pretend you’re here for me, so without further ado, my best friend and partner, Chance Harrington.”
Chance meets my eyes before stepping away, checking on me, but I’m okay. I want to watch him take back the helm of the ship he created. I smile encouragingly, and he takes the handful of steps away.
“Thanks, Evan. For everything, including most recently, keeping the lights on here at the Gentlemen’s Club.” Evan nods, acknowledging the thank you, and Chance turns to the audience.
“We’ve created a community here, a family of sorts, with the mission of improving men. And we’ve done a good job. Each and every one of you is an example of that. But it’s an imperfect journey, with distractions and disappointments along the way.Because that’s life.”
People shift in their seats, expecting Chance to give more of a rah-rah speech.
“That’s the truth. It’s never easy, but being your best self is still a worthy goal. Recent incidents have taught us something—becoming gentlemen isn’t something that happens inside a vacuum. Mencannotdevelop without an understanding of, and being in the presence of, women.”
A murmur of agreement goes through the crowd, and then there’s one voice over the others.
“We like Miss R better than you, anyway!”
There’s laughter as everyone looks for the speaker, and I see Lucas standing up, grinning widely.
He’s already emailed me to set up a counseling appointment, though I suspect it’s more for him to check on me than because he needs any urgent advice. Evan says Lucas is doing really well and has stepped into the vacant leadership role Stephen left. Lucas is rougher around the edges for sure, but his raw approach works.
“That’s okay, Lucas. I like her better than you too,” Chance jokes back. Everyone really laughs then. “To that end... Samantha, can you join me, please?”
I step forward, smiling at Chance and then looking at the crowd as they get loud and rowdy, whooping and cheering.
He lets it go on for a moment and then waves his hand to quiet everyone. “We will continue to be a community and organization that focuses on personal development and on building healthy relationships amongallpeople. Sex is an important part of a healthy relationship, and it’s built upon a strong foundation of trust, communication, and honesty. That’s hard. So I’m proud to announce that Samantha Redding will continue to join us as our relationship and sexual health counselor. She will also be a regular contributor on the podcast... on that, Evan, we might need to rename it, too.”
“Already got ideas,” Evan says in a clearly rehearsed bit. “The Evan White Show, with some other people.”
There’s a few chuckles, and Chance joins in. “Not happening. But Samantha is going to be an essential part of the new club, and our new community. And before I ask her to say a few words, there’s one word I’d like to hear first.”
Before I can ask what the hell he’s talking about, Chance gets down on a knee and my jaw drops open.
“Samantha Redding, you are the lady of my life. You are the woman I love. You are, and forever will be, all I want... andmore.” He lifts a brow teasingly. “Would you do me the honor of letting me be your husband? Will you marry me?”
“Hell no!” Lucas teases. “He ain’t good enough for you!”
There’s laughter, but my eyes never leave Chance. I love him, of that I have no doubt. And I believe that he loves me, but is that enough? It wasn’t for my parents, who once loved each other deeply but eventually grew apart to the point where Dad broke Mom’s heart.
Chance wouldn’t do that.
So many times before, the voice in my head has whispered ‘don’t trust him’ and ‘it’s only for now, so don’t get attached’, but now, that inner monologue has changed. I’ve done my own growing, healing the old scars and learning to trust again. Chance shows up for me, time after time, letting me see and feel his love and presence in my life every day, even when he’s not by my side.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Mom and Olivia holding hands right below their chins as they stand together, shoulder to shoulder like they’re two peas in a pod with eyes glittery from unshed tears. We’ve done a lot of talking since the incident too, mostly about what’s important and how we can depend on each other as a family, even if Dad isn’t dependable.
Beside Mom is Marvin. He’s got his arm around her and he’s smiling happily. Mom’s learned to trust again too, and Marvin is proving himself worthy of her heart. He’s cooked dinner for all of us for more nights than not, even serving up grilled vegetables for Chance as he made sure ‘his girls’, as he’s taken to calling us, have what they need to talk, cry, or rage about the hand we’ve been dealt. Noah has learned from his father’s example and has been a good friend for Olivia too, especially as Mom and Marvin get more comfortable around us. They usually groan in harmony when Marvin pats Mom on the butt or she kisses him because ‘the gravy’s too good not to’.
The truth is, there are good men out there. Sometimes, they’re not the ones you expect. They don’t check any of the boxes, come at the right time, or say what you want to hear. They’re the ones you dismiss as too this or not enough that, and sometimes, the truth is, you’re the one who needs to adjust. Fix your own damage, heal your own heart, be happy in yourself and take the time—however long it may be—to do it right so that you can be receptive when it goes awry and a hook-up becomes the man in front of you, waiting with bated breath for you to speak.
I know my answer and proudly say, “Yes. Of course! Yes!”
Cheers break out, and from his pocket Chance produces a ring that almost defies description. It’s beautiful, gold inlaid with thin tendrils of silver or maybe platinum surrounding a stunningly cut diamond. It’s fantasy and reality come to life, and of course, it fits perfectly.
The applause rises, the crowd cheering as Chance stands and we embrace. The kiss is another first, deep and passionate as usual, but our first as an engaged couple.
