Mrs right zakrzewski ant.., p.4
Mrs. Right (Zakrzewski Anthologies), page 4
“Mmmmm,” she says as her fingers scratch the back of my neck. “You clean up nicely, Mister Parker.” We both laugh as my hand finds hers, and I walk her to the love seat. We slide down next to each other and get lost for a moment in each other.
“I love you in this dress. It’s been with us through some amazing days,” I say, tapping her knee.
A soft blush forms on her face as she returns the tap to my knee. “And you look dashing in your tuxedo. Which tells me a quiet, simple dinner probably won’t be that quiet or that simple, am I right?”
My chuckle provides the answer she already knows. “Maybe next year.”
She giggles. “Something tells me we’ll be having a similar conversation this time next year.”
I nod. “Yeah, you’re probably right. When it comes to you, I kinda lose myself.” I capture her gaze and pause for a beat. “Candice, I love you more than life itself. I want to celebrate that every single moment of every single day. It’s what you deserve. It’s what I live for. I am the luckiest person on this planet, and I want everyone to know it. I love you.”
Water wells in the corner of her eyes as she squeezes her hands in her lap, her gaze lowering for a second before she responds, “Ryan Parker.” Her thumb and index finger twirl her wedding band. Her chin lifts, and a single tear rolls down her cheek, stopping at the bright smile. “You have made me happier than I ever thought I could ever be. It is an honor to be called your wife. I love you, always.”
She leans toward me, and I wrap an arm around her shoulder, pulling her into another kiss. Her lips part, and I press forward as she reclines on the love seat. She smells of lavender sunshine and brighter days.
I cup her face and pepper kisses down her collarbone. A soft exhale escapes her lips, and I nearly lose it. “Mmm, this brings back memories.”
“Ummm,” I grunt. The bridal suite is where Candice and I raced to during my dad’s retirement party. Years of back and forth finally behind us as we both were finally on the same page.
“Ryan’s kiss,” she whispers, and I comply with a ghost kiss to her lips.
“This is where I first said I love you to you,” I whisper. The emotions of that day forcing us into action. To finally admit what we both already knew.
“First time I said it out loud to you. It had been there for some time,” she says.
I stare into her eyes, and my heart kicks up another beat. “Same. I knew you were special the first day we met. No one had ever made me feel the way you made me feel. Makes me feel.”
Her soft thumb rubs along my lower lip, her gaze focused there for a moment. “You remember what I just said about quiet dinners?”
“Yeah.” I nod.
A happy scoff escapes her lips. “Forget all of that. Can we just do this every Valentine’s Day? You, me, here in this room.”
I feel the pull of my smile growing. “I’d like that very much. Our little tradition?”
“Without the running all around town. It’s freaking cold in Indiana in February, Ryan. Let’s skip that part next time. Deal?”
I nod. “Deal. Let’s kiss on it.”
“I love the sound of that, Mr. Parker.” Candice presses her hands to my chest, forcing me off her. She leans forward, her hands continuing to press the front of my shoulders. I let her lead, lowering onto my back. Her giggles relax me as she scoots up, pushing a tendril of her wild blond hair from her face. She reaches down and grabs her dress mid-thigh, lifting it up and exposing her knees for a second as she straddles me.
“Now, last time we were here, Catherine pounded on the door and stopped us from doing what we both wanted to do,” Candice starts, and I already know where her mind is racing. “Catherine isn’t here today …”
She lets the hint hang in the air. She bites her lower lip, and her desire is evident in her every movement.
I laugh and don’t have the heart to tell her there is a room full of people downstairs waiting for us. If I have to choose for them to wait or this, I will choose my wife every single time.
“Nothing can stop us, Mrs. Parker. It’s you and me forever.”
Chapter Twelve
CANDICE
I should feel bad, but I don’t because every nerve in my body is electrified. It was only after an hour of bliss in the arms of my magnificent husband did Ryan whisper to me that there were people waiting on us.
I should have known the moment I stepped into the bridal suite that it wouldn’t be the final stop in the Ryan love fest tour. My man pulls out every stop to celebrate us, and I’m here for all of it. All my life, I questioned whether I would ever find a love like this. My dad had found his jewel at an early age and celebrated it every day.
When I began tutoring Ryan my junior year, I felt for the first time the possibilities. But we were young. Neither of us were at our best communicating our thoughts, our needs. I developed feelings for him despite fighting it every step of the way, and then we separated. For three long years, I was tossed back into the wild. I suffered heartbreak from Ryan and tried to pick up the pieces. But it was never the same. No other man I dated could compare. No other man provided that spark, that unique chemistry that came so effortlessly when we were together.
Then Ryan returned home.
It’s funny, he says his mom was the reason we first met. But it was his dad who drew him back to me. Working with his dad to retire early forced Ryan to return home for the retirement party.
Our separation helped us both realize what we needed in a relationship. We needed each other. The moment I saw him again, I knew he was the one. My one and only.
Ryan squeezes my hand as we descend the steps to the main floor and walk toward the Serenity Ballroom. The same room that hosted Ryan’s dad’s retirement party. Ryan has put so much thought into the tiniest of details today. My mind is already racing ahead to when I get him alone tonight and all the ways I want to show him how much I appreciate everything he’s done.
“Is everything ready?” Ryan says to Audrey who’s standing outside the door, and I wonder if she’s stood guard the entire time we spent upstairs.
Her smile greets me before turning to Ryan. “Everything’s in place. Enjoy. You know how to find me if you need anything.”
She offers me another short smile. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Mrs. Parker.” She disappears down the hall, and I turn to see Ryan beaming in my direction.
I chuckle. “What?”
He lifts my hands and places a quick kiss on the back of my hand. “Nothing. Every time someone calls you Mrs. Parker, I can’t but help but puff out my chest. It’s like living a dream.”
I feel the heat rush to my cheeks, I’m sure color is following. This man has no idea what his words, his actions, his deeds do to me every day. I’m the one who floats on air every day. He’s Ryan freaking Parker. The hottest, most popular guy on our campus. He had ESPN trucks parked on campus to interview him. An Italian team recruited him, and he had fans all around the world. He gave it all up to come home and marry me. Little ole me. “I’m the lucky one,” I return as he shoots a wink in my direction.
“I hope I didn’t overdo it,” he whispers as his hand lands on the door.
Another laugh escapes my lips. “Yeah, now is the time you think about that.” We both laugh. “Never change, Ryan Parker. I love you.”
“Right back at you, Mrs. Parker.” He gives me that Parker smirk, the one that melts my heart. The one that’s as irresistible today as it’s ever been.
I take a deep breath as Ryan pushes open the door.
A red and white arch of balloons greets us as we step in. We step under the arch, and the room bursts into a round of applause.
My head spins on a swivel as I take it all in. Our closest friends all dressed to impress are here.
“Oh my God,” I utter and point at Dana and her boyfriend Jackson. Dana has changed into a short black cocktail dress that highlights her curves. Jackson is wearing a two-piece charcoal suit, mock neck gray sweater. I pull them into a hug. “You look incredible,” I whisper to Dana. “When did you change?”
She giggles in my ear. “Girl, you were upstairs with your man for so long, I had time to drive into town, shop, change outfits, and get my hair done.”
My hand races to my mouth as I think of what Ryan and I were doing upstairs. Everyone in this room must know.
“Just kidding. Ryan had Jackson pack me a bag on his way over,” Dana adds.
I connect the dots as another pair of arms wraps around my waist. Mia presses a hard kiss to my cheek. “Have you figured out that our men were in on it yet?”
Mia, like Dana, has changed. She’s now wearing a gold gown that looks as if she’s going to an award dinner. She must read my face. “Yeah, Aaron said if he’s wearing a tuxedo, I needed to bust out my best gown. His choice not mine, but don’t I look fabulous?”
She performs a twirl and then points to Aaron, who is chatting with Ryan. The brothers are dressed in matching tuxedos.
“What are we going to do with the Parker brothers?” I whisper, and I feel another pull on my elbow.
A wave of blond hair greets me, and I can’t believe she’s here. “Amy!!!” I scream and pull her into a hug. “I can’t believe you came to Indiana for this.” Amy is a movie director who lives in Hollywood.
“I love you and Ryan, and I was promised a free meal, but you should know, you’re not the real reason I’m here.” She raises a hand to her left and in steps her boyfriend Jason. Jason lives in Destiny Falls and is Jackson’s cousin. Of course, he’s the real reason she made the trip.
“I thought you were filming in Mexico or somewhere. I can’t keep up with you.” I laugh. Amy has directed the blockbuster movies in the Forever series. Between sequels, she races around the world squeezing in so many other projects.
“Panama,” she corrects me. “And I’d still be there if a certain someone we both know didn’t send his private jet for me. Something about me not missing the magic of Indiana on Valentine’s Day.”
I turn and search for Trace Edwards. Trace was once voted as People’s Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive. For half a decade, he dominated the movie charts. The billion-dollar box office star. He filmed the movie Forever at Lake Hope and fell in love with the area.
“He’s not here. He’s back in LA,” Amy clarifies for me. “Now that you’ve finally made it down here, where is this dinner and a show?”
“Show?”
I turn, looking for Ryan. He’s with his brother, the two of them with mischievous smiles on their faces, staring back at the small gathering.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” he says, and Aaron hands him a red gift-wrapped box. I recognize the box; it’s the one I collected at Roscoe’s. Caught up in the hunt’s excitement, I barely had time to think about what might be in the box. But seeing the two brothers, dressed in tuxedos in this room, I immediately know what it is.
Aaron nods at his brother and hands the box to the DJ before stepping next to his brother. Ryan waves his arms to capture everyone’s attention, and I already know what he’s about to say. “Who’s ready for some Candy?”
Chapter Thirteen
CANDICE
I know before the DJ rips the wrapping paper what’s inside. A CD. We have two matching pairs already at home. A special gift Ryan presented to me after he drove me home from our study date junior year. The R&B soul group New Edition CD entitled Candy Girl.
Ryan takes the CD, holds it trophy high, and parades it around the room. Everyone in the hall knows the significance of the song. At Pops’ retirement party, Ryan and Aaron dressed in matching tuxedos, much like they are today. They performed the song along with a very special guest, Ralph Tresvant, the lead singer from New Edition. Ryan pulled me onto the stage, and Aaron grabbed Mia.
It was Ryan’s grand gesture as we went public with what we had only discussed in private. It also served as Aaron and Mia’s meet cute.
The boys break into song, and my girls swarm around me, Dana on one side and Mia on the other. Amy and Jason whisper off to the side as the rest of the guys line up behind the brothers, performing an awkward two step.
The brothers’ choreography appears to be on point, and I know without asking that the Parker brothers have been practicing. Laughs fill the air as the boys hit the final chorus. Ryan steps forward and takes me by my hand. He directs me to the center of the floor and spins me. I’m beyond giddy. When he hits the final note, the balloons release from the ceiling, flooding the floor.
Everyone pairs up, and Ryan pulls me into a tight hug. “You will always be my candy girl, Candice.”
“Forever?” I joke.
“And a day.” He returns and presses a kiss to my lip. I close my eyes and get lost in the moment. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“I love you, Ryan Parker.”
“And I love you, Candice Parker. Every day with you is Valentine’s Day.”
I sway in his arms and close my eyes once again. This man surprises me every day in the best of all ways. He makes every day special, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my days with him.
I kiss Ryan, and I whisper, “No place I’d rather be than here in your arms.”
Jackson has prepared a scrumptious dinner comprised of an eclectic menu. I find out from Ryan that all of this was a last-minute scramble he pulled together because of the brewing snowstorm. Each of our friends were more than happy to pitch in, tossing aside their own Valentine’s Day plans to join in ours.
We’re all seated at a large white linen tableclothed round table with sparkling glassware and silver utensils. A beautiful rose centerpiece provides the color and I lean back and take it all in. We’ve shared stories and jokes all evening, and have given and received enough hugs and kisses for a month. This is what love looks like.
Our wedding had been a small affair out at my parents’ home on Lake Hope. It was my dream wedding, getting married on the deck overlooking beautiful Lake Hope. The same spot where Ryan had proposed to me.
Ryan clinks a fork against the crystal champagne flute, rising to his feet. “Friends. thank you for spending your Valentine’s Day with Candice and me. Today is a special day for all of us but extra special for us as it’s our first Valentine’s Day as husband and wife. When I thought of how best to spend the day, one theme kept coming back to me.” Ryan scans the table filled with radiant smiles.
“You. Our friends. Every step of the way through our relationship, you have played critical parts in reminding us to follow our hearts. To get our acts together when we became stubborn. To be better, to do better, when we stumbled. As much as we want to celebrate our love today, we would be remiss if we didn’t celebrate our love for you. Thank you.”
Glasses raised, the satisfying clicks of glassware echo through the hall. Sips and laughter follow.
“One final gift to this day. Something old.” Ryan raises his hand to the ceiling, and the lights in the room dim. An unseen projector starts up somewhere in the room, and the back wall lights up. I recognize the music immediately, an acoustic version of Candy Girl. “Let’s sit back, enjoy some dessert, and relive another of the truly special days in our lives.”
A two-foot high black and gold font fills the wall, The Wedding of Ryan and Candice Parker. The last gift from the scavenger hunt, a thumb drive containing the video from our wedding. A perfect day, a perfect man, another perfect memory.
I feel his arm on my shoulder. “See. No gifts, just memories,” he whispers. His way of justifying all that he’s done today while complying with our agreement of no gifts. It’s a weak justification as this entire day has been filled with gifts, but I give him a pass. His heart, as always, is in the right place.
I stare up at the screen. An image of me walking down the makeshift aisle of my friends outside my parents’ home. A smile spreads across my face from the happy memory of that beautiful day. Surrounded with family, friends, love and, of course, my future husband.
I shoot Ryan a wink and whisper back, “Thank you for the Best Day.” I lean over and give my husband a sweet kiss. A lasting one that reminds him how much I love and appreciate our lives. I tip my head back toward the screen. “Now, about our first anniversary. I have some thoughts.”
His smirk is the best reply. The sparkle in his eyes tells me he’s game for anything. A giggle escapes my lips as I whisper to him. Thoughts that a shy version of me would be too embarrassed to hold eight years ago. Thoughts that I share, confident that I’ve found my life partner. I can be brave, daring, and open to the man who owns my heart because I know in my heart, he’s my other half. My better half. And we’ll be together forever.
For I am in love.
About the Author
Mel Walker is a rare bird, the male romance author. Specializing in heartfelt small-town romance, he enjoys telling compelling romances with all the feels. A native New Yorkers and life-long frustrated NY Mets fan, he enjoys baseball, bike rides and taking in the energy of the city.
Website: https://www.authormelwalker.com/
Her Midnight Valentine
SHARON WRAY
Chapter One
Clara Mosby hated snow. Mostly because the evil white stuff had a bad habit of ruining her travel plans.
She decided this important fact about herself as she parallel parked near Kingsmill’s only coffee shop on Main Street. Once she turned off the car, she buttoned her coat, adjusted her hat, and grabbed her purse.
The snow fell at a steady pace, and a layer of flakes already covered the windshield. Once the car’s warmth faded away, she hurried toward the refurbished Devil’s Renegades Coffee and Cupcake Café across the street.
A moment later, she slipped and fell onto her knees near the sidewalk. A gust of wind blew off her hat. Because it was six p.m. in February, the darkness hid her clumsiness from everyone except the man who stood beneath the streetlamp in front of The Ren, the biker bar next to the café.
