Hitched (Hitched #1)(53)

Lure him to David's show under the guise that his mom got two amazing tickets and wouldn't he please be her date? Of course he said yes. Not only is he a huge fan, but he would do it just to spend time with her.

The plan worked. They are both in the audience right now.

I am backstage and blind folded. David doesn't want his secrets revealed, and I'm part of one of his big magic tricks. So I'm waiting. Listening to the show, to the crowd’s applause, to the performance David is so skilled at giving. I wait in the dark, hoping—praying—that I'm not making the biggest mistake of my life. Hoping that I don't make a fool out of myself and get my heart broken to pieces in front of hundreds of people. Hoping I don't ruin David's show.

Someone touches my arm. "Your part's almost here. You doing okay?"

I nod, sitting in a chair, my formal red gown tight around my chest. Is that why it's hard to breathe? Or is it just nerves? I inhale. And wait.

And then I hear him pick Sebastian from the crowd. "Sir, come up on stage and introduce yourself."

Sebastian's voice makes me melt. "I'm Sebastian Donovan."

"And what do you do for a living?"

"I'm a—"

"Wait, let me guess—you work with kids… you're a doctor. A pediatric heart surgeon!"

I can hear the shock in Sebastian's voice. "Yes, actually. That's incredible."

"Have we ever met before, Sebastian?"

"No."

"Okay good. Now, I'm going to ask you to help me with my next bit of magic. Is that okay?"

"Sure."

"Great. Now see that frame right there with the picture of the beautiful woman in shadows? Can you tell who she is?"

"No."

"Okay, great. Now I want you to imagine the love of your life. The one who got away. The girl you wish were here right now so you could tell her how much you love her. Are you picturing her in your mind now?"

“Yes.” Sebastian’s voice sounds different, and I wonder what he's thinking.

"Stare at the painting and keep imagining her. Picture every detail of her, from the color of her hair to her eyes, to the way she smiles. Are you picturing it all?"

"Yes. I am."

"Great, now watch the painting closely."

The crowd gasps at something, and I can imagine it's the shadows parting to reveal a painting of me, but I can't see it. I can hear Sebastian though, when he inhales sharply. "How… how is this possible?"

"What's her name? The girl in the picture?"

"Kacie. Kacie Michaels."

My heart feels like a weight has been lifted from it. I've been living under this dreadful fear that he wouldn't picture me. Wouldn't say my name. That he'd pick Celene. And it would crush me. But he chose me. He picked me. I have to resist running out there right now and into his arms, but the magic trick isn't done yet.

"How would you like to see Kacie again? To hold her in your arms?"

His voice sounds sad. "I don't think that's possible, no matter how much magic you have." My heart breaks.

"Let's just see what we can do."

This is the part I'm blindfolded for. This is the part I have no idea how they manage. Because right now as someone moves me around by the hand, right now the crowd, and Sebastian, are seeing the painting literally come to life. The painting is turning into me right in front of their eyes, and somehow, when my blindfold is pulled off, I turn into a swirl of smoke and am standing on stage, facing Sebastian Donovan.

"Kacie?"

I step forward, my hands outstretched. "It's me. I'm here to say… I'm sorry. About everything. I love you. I've always loved you. And I don't want to live another day without you in my life."

The crowd "Awwws," David takes a bow, and we are ushered back stage.

I'm still waiting for Sebastian to reply, to say something, anything.

"Kacie… " He reaches for my hands, and when our skin touches, I feel warm and hopeful. A tear runs down my cheek.

"Oh Sebastian. I screwed up. I let my fear get in the way of the best thing that's ever happened to me. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. Please tell me it's not too late."

He leans in, his hand reaching for my face, and he gently caresses my skin and kisses me deeply. His taste, his touch... it's everything I've been dreaming about. Everything I've wanted and needed for so long. I am home. With him, I am home.

"It's not too late," he says. "But I have one condition."

There's a twinkle in his eye, and a grin on his face.

"What's that?" I ask.

"Ninety days. You have ninety days to prove you really want to be with me. It's your turn, Ms. Michaels. Think you're up for the challenge?"

"I don't think you'll last ninety days," I say, smiling, and I kiss him again.





Chapter 37


Propositions


The kiss turns into something more, and we are scrambling to find an unused dressing room before our desire rips us apart.

We're already tearing at each other's clothes. I need him badly. I've needed him for so long, it's an actual pain in my body.