Angel Falling (Falling #1)(84)
Bright Magazine was knee-deep in preparations for the January 1st launch. The buzz was big, and I felt confident that the team we’d hired and the first sets of interviews, photo-shoots, and columns would intrigue the public to take a chance on a new magazine. Plus, we had one of the hottest celebrities in the market half-naked on the cover. You couldn’t go wrong with a beautiful man to get the average woman’s attention, as well as the married and at-home-mom demographics.
My only complaint was that I constantly felt like crap. The last few weeks had been filled with headaches, loss of appetite, then ravenous hunger, exhaustion, crazy bursts of energy, and the feeling that I just wasn’t myself. I knew my body. It was freaking out over the Hank proposal issue. The symptoms were on and off, and corresponded with Hank’s demand that I request his hand in marriage and not the other way around. The problem was, I didn’t know how or when to do it, or whether or not I wanted to. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Hank more than anything else in my life. He was definitely the only man I could ever imagine being in my future, and the only person I’d ever considered marrying.
Then what is your problem? I actually went to the jewelry store a couple times and browsed for rings. Once, Oliver dragged me and demanded I pick one out. Wouldn’t leave until I’d done the deed.
The next day I returned the ring. It wasn’t that the ring didn’t fit Hank. He wouldn’t care one iota what the ring looked like, only that making the leap meant I was ready for more, ready for our forever. He’d been incredible about giving me space, too. He seemed perfectly comfortable with living together and enjoying the last three months, but I knew it was on his mind.
When we’d see couples getting married on TV, in a movie, or receive a wedding invite, Hank would get this wistful look in his eyes. It broke my heart to see his desire, knowing that I could so easily give him everything he ever wished for. But would it last?
My parents’ marriage was not one built on love, trust, and passion. It was a marriage of convenience, a business negotiation. Last week when I was feeling pretty down and out about my lack of ability to give Hank what he wanted—namely, me—I visited my father and asked about their marriage.
“Darling, your mother and I were from the same world. Our families had been acquainted for years. The mutual appreciation between her family and ours went a long way toward our decision to be together. The situation just fit,” he’d said.
“But did you love Mom?”
His eyes searched mine, but held no sparkle, no fond stories about falling madly in love with my mother and sweeping her off her feet so that he would never be without her. “Darling, I learned to love your mother very much. And besides, she gave me the three best things I’d ever created. You, London, and Rio.” He smiled and pulled me in for a hug.
“What would you say if I told you that Hank wanted to marry me?”
He grinned. “I’d say I’m surprised he waited this long. The boy is taken with you, darling. You know he already asked for your hand.” He said it as if he’d asked me to pass the sugar for the tea.
“He asked you? When?”
“Two or three months ago. Said he was going to win you back, and when he did he was going to marry you. Wanted to make sure I was okay with his intentions. I told him that I’d be honored to welcome him into the family. Then I gave him some contacts for his business expansion to look into.”
I shook my head and thought about all that my dad had expounded. “Why didn’t you tell me? That was months ago.”
“Well, I had expected that you would come over and announce your engagement, but since you hadn’t, I didn’t want to pry or ruin the surprise for you. Just a couple weeks ago, though, I got curious and called him to check on his intentions.” He laughed deep in his throat. “He told me he’d turned over the reins on that plan to you. Said he wanted you to be certain you were ready to saddle up with him. His words, not mine.” He laughed and steepled his fingers under his chin. “What are you waiting for, darling?”
“Honestly, Dad, I don’t know. Oliver is beside himself. Dean will hardly look at me. London practically cries every time we speak, and now I find out you’re having secret conversations with my boyfriend behind my back.” I grinned but it turned into a sigh. “And I just haven’t been feeling well. I don’t know. One moment I’m fine, the next I’m ready to crawl into bed and close out the world. Both Hank and I have had long days in the office.” It was the most plausible explanation.
“How’s that going? The expansion?”
“Wonderful. Hank is incredibly smart. Turns out he has an architectural and business degree from the University of Texas.”
“Proof that you can’t judge a book by its cover.” He winked at me and sipped his tea. “If you’re not ready to become Hank’s wife, then don’t rush into it. If the man wants you, he’ll wait. And if he loves you, he won’t push you to do something that’s not right for you.”
“No, I know, Dad. He really hasn’t. He’s only brought it up a couple of times over the past three months, hasn’t pushed or prodded at me, but I know he’s ready. Knowing that you approve of him helps. I love you, Dad.” I got up and hugged him.
“He’s a good man and he loves you a great deal. Remember that as you consider your options. Oh, and don’t tell your mother. Maybe just elope.” He laughed. “And can you please visit the doctor and have a checkup? You’ve complained quite often of not feeling well.”