One Day You'll Be Mine: Steamy Contemporary Military Romance (2 page)

Chapter 3: Rose

“I love you, baby.”

“I love you too, baby. Be safe. Please.”

“Always. Talk to you later. Love you.”

I watched my husband, Staff Sergeant Ellis Houston, blow a kiss to me before turning his camera off. He was in Seattle, waiting for his flight to go to Iraq. We’d just gotten married about a week ago. He’d left two days ago with several airmen, for a four-month deployment. Four months was nothing, especially in the military. I’ve learned many women went without their husbands for as long as a year.

I didn’t think I could’ve gone a damn day without my husband. It’s been forty-eight hours and I haven’t had a meltdown yet. I’m very proud of myself. Very.

I cried for an hour on day one, fingering the gorgeous engagement ring he’d given me. It was all I’d have for a constant reminder of his love. Ellis was great at providing material affection. He thought my lifestyle required regular financial endowments of material things to keep me happy, but he was wrong. Jewelry and flowers were inconsequential; I’ve always had my own money, and I also purchased whatever I wanted. It was the things money couldn’t buy that meant the world to me. I wouldn’t have his hand to hold, hair to play in, or chin to nuzzle up against – and I’d take that over the 2-carat princess cut engagement he’d purchased for me.

I still had no idea where he’d gotten that kind of money.

I still think he could have used it for his business, which he wanted to start after he discharged from the military.

Five minutes after our call ended, I realized no amount of hope would bring Ellis back to Skype. He was in the middle of traveling to Iraq, and therefore I’d be lucky to get an alert or email on my iPhone when he was available again.

“Rose, please, get away from the computer. Breathe. Get your life. Go for a walk.” It was a little after 7 in the evening, so the summer sun wasn’t as cruel at this point.

Not that I hated the sun. Thanks to my Polynesian and Black heritage, my sun kissed skin had a nice heat-friendly glow. But, Dallas was unreasonably hot, and taking a walk any earlier than 7 PM was a recipe for disaster. I wouldn’t last the full hour I expected of myself.

Grabbing my earbuds, I slipped on a pair of Yeezy’s in a size 6, grabbed a water bottle, and headed out the door. I lived in a townhome in Uptown Dallas. The area was popular for professional socialites, and those who wanted to be seen and known throughout the area. I’d purchased my place a few years ago using part of my inheritance from my grandfather as my down payment, making the mortgage manageable.

Yes, I came from money, and I loved what money can do, but I was smart about how I handled it. That’s what Ellis loved about me. I didn’t take every dollar I had, only to blow it at Neiman Marcus, or on a night out with the girls. I was about building and developing, because you never knew what tomorrow could bring.

I remember going to a business event with a friend last year. A billionaire was speaking. His name was Com Mirza. He gave us a sage bit of advice: spend 10 years working to live off 10 percent of our income while investing the other 90 percent.

Intelligent challenge. Challenge accepted.

Although I hadn’t joined the 10 percent lifestyle group, I wouldn’t be far off with Ellis’ help. Once he returned from his deployment, we planned to rent out my place for a premium. I’d relocate to San Antonio, move into base housing with him, and continue my job from there.

I currently worked as a full-time beauty editor for
Belle
, a lifestyle magazine for Texas women. Our central office was in Dallas, however, we had satellites in Austin, Houston, and of course, San Antonio. The deployment would give me enough time to wrap up loose ends here, and transfer to the San Antonio satellite. I wouldn’t be a full time beauty editor in the sense that I had the in-office role and title, but I would still have an editor at large position, provided I could travel some of the time.

Making my way through the walk, I enjoyed the sights and sounds. City life wasn’t for everyone, but as a native, Dallas had the best energy. Every evening, you could literally see the transformation as days ended. City lights peppered the skyline, giving the city a distinct appearance you wouldn’t see everywhere else. I was particularly fond of the wavy, multicolored Omni Hotel, the spherical Reunion Tower, and of course, the 72-story Bank of America building with the dazzling green lights.

I was walking distance to upscale restaurants like Avanti, Baboush, Capital Grille, and the Dragonfly at Hotel ZaZa. I passed these places regularly on my daily walk, just to take in the gorgeous energy and architecture. Like downtown Kansas City, Missouri, it was just captivating.

A hand slapped my shoulder. I was so entranced by the views and lost in the music coming from my earbuds that I hadn’t noticed my name being called. “Rose!”

I turned, curious, only to see it was Alejandro. He worked on our design and layout team. I didn’t consider him a friend, per se. We never really spoke outside of group settings regarding deadlines, but we weren’t enemies.

“I hope I didn’t scare you,” he apologized. “I had just gotten out of the office, and wanted to grab something to eat. I noticed you walking, and wanted to say hi.”

“Oh hey!” I let out a deep exhale. “You scared me. I didn’t know
who
that was slapping me on the shoulder like that. How are you?”

Alejandro dug his hands into his pockets, grinning sheepishly. I could see the color come to his cheeks now. I didn’t realize how boyish he could be. Either that, or you’d think he was bashful by nature.

“I’m good,” he continued. “We’re finishing the layout for the fall issue. If all goes to plan, we should be headed to the printer in less than a week. Has the beauty team corrected all of their submissions?”

“Which ones?” I was puzzled. As far as I’d known, everyone’s work was completed and ready to go.

“Rebecca’s article had a few issues. Did you get the email?”

Shaking my head, I confirmed that I didn’t. “I’ll be honest. It’s been very hectic for me this week. I didn’t get a chance to look at all the emails.”

“I heard. Your boyfriend went to war, or something. Right?” His tone was casual, but there was a small glimmer in his eyes I couldn’t place.

“Husband, actually.” I flashed my engagement ring. It was flashy enough to look like a real wedding took place. “We just got married before he left.”

Alejandro’s eyes popped at the ring. Their glimmer instantly died, yet was replaced by the sparkly reflection of my finger.

“Damn. Congratulations.” His voice was much quieter. “That’s a nice ring.”

“Thank you.” I smiled. “Who were you meeting up here?”

“Just some… Just a couple of friends. Nothing serious, you know?” He laughed nervously. We were thinking of a couple of drinks and food. Just to catch up on old times. It’s kind of hard to make formal plans when we’re all working. Adult life, you know?”

I nodded in understanding, telling him it definitely was hard to keep up with friends after college. We spoke for a few more minutes. Or rather, he talked, and I listened. As I did, I gave eye contact here and there. Whenever I looked into his eyes, that bashful demeanor intensified. I guess he wasn’t used to talking so much?

My phone began to ring; Natalia’s face popped up on the screen. I lifted a finger to Alejandro, who nodded his head in understanding and stepped away to give a small sense of privacy.

“Hello?”

“Hey! How’s it going over there?”

“It’s going good. Hold on for a sec.” With that, I told Alejandro, “I have to go. It’s my sister in law. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

He nodded, smiled. “Definitely. See you tomorrow.”

“Enjoy dinner with your friends,” I said, waving him off and returning to my walk.

“Who was that?” Natalia asked. Her voice brimmed with curiosity.

“Just some guy from my office.” Truly, that’s all he really was.

“You’re at the office at eight at night?”

“Lady, no! I was on my evening walk when he stopped me. Apparently he was having dinner in the area when he stopped to say hi. What’s with the inquisition, madam?”

“Oh nothing. Just making sure you’re not trying to flake out on your husband after just one day being gone.”

I gasped. “Two days, not one. And I wouldn’t ever do that. I love Ellis way too much.”

Natalia chuckled on the other end of the line. “I hear you. I was just teasing to begin with. But seriously. How are you? Do you need anything?”

Natalia was married to Ellis’ older brother, Hollis. As a couple, both Ellis and I were several years younger than Hollis and Natalia. Natalia was like an older sister to me in the sense that she married Hollis early into his military career. She married him when she turned 18, and he was 20, even though they’d been together since they were 14 and 16 years old. Needless to say, she’d known Ellis almost all of his life, and was very protective of him, as if he were her own little brother.

A couple walking down the street in my direction caught my eye. They were holding hands, fingers intertwined. He whispered something in her, and she giggled. I admired her clean makeup, accentuated with lash extensions, and the way storefront lights hit her skin. It was a picture perfect moment; beautiful, timeless if it would have only been captured in that moment with the perfect camera.

My heart snagged a beat as I looked at this couple. That could have been – no, really would have been – Ellis and I if he were here. Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be us for at least six more months.

“I’m okay,” I dragged. My tone of voice wasn’t as convincing as I would have liked. “I’m just trying to get used to him not being around. It was tough having to wait to see him on the weekends when we’d fly or drive to see each other. Now I don’t even have that option. And I’m sitting here with my heart bleeding while I watch all these pretty girls and fly guys hold hands and kiss each other in the glow of Uptown nightlife.”

“Rose, you have such a flair for making everything poetic,” Natalia sighed with mock frustration.

“Hey, I am an editor.” I shrugged, as if that explained it all. “A beauty editor at that. My job is to make everything sound, look, and appear poetic.”

Natalia gave me advice. The first week would be the hardest. By week two or three, I’d be accustomed to him not being around. At the end of the first month, we’d establish a routine, and I’d probably get to speak to him on a semi-regular basis. It wouldn’t replace his physical presence (nothing ever could), but it would allow me to feel secure in a new rhythm.

In a way, it would feel more intimate because we’d be forced to get to know each other on a different level, so we could delay the honeymoon period without consequence, something other newlyweds didn’t have the pleasure of experiencing.

“Have you spoken to him?” she asked.

“Just once or twice on Skype. He looks so happy.” I pouted.

“He is happy. You know he’s always loved the military. He loves to deploy, and he always said he wanted to use that money to give you the big wedding you always wanted.” My eyes bugged when she said that so matter-of-factly. Big wedding? With blood, sweat, and tears money?

“He seriously planned to use all his extra money for the wedding?” I gasped. “No. I can’t let him. My parents have decided to pay for it.”

“You know how those Houston men are, Ro. So proud, so stubborn, and so damned hardheaded. He wouldn’t take a rusted penny of your dad’s money for the wedding.”

“Well
he
doesn’t have a choice. I’m planning the entire wedding and having everything paid for and ready to go when he comes home. I’ve set the date for two weeks after his definite return and everything.”

Now it was her turn to gasp. “Definite return? You know there’s no definite return on these things, right? He could be extended to stay out there longer, if he chooses to, or if he’s mandated to for one reason or another.”

“No. I am a firm believer in the law of attraction, and I firmly believe that since I want to be married in less than seven months with a nice wedding, we will have that.” I could almost feel my nose toot itself upward. Like the man I’d married, I too could be proud and stubborn, refusing to compromise to get my way when I really wanted it.

You could almost hear Natalia’s eyes roll to the back of her head at my admission. I laughed. It was okay that she groaned in disbelief. I lived in my own bubble of wonderment, and liked to keep a peppery, world-is-mine attitude. It’s just how I moved through life. Natalia wasn’t necessarily a negative Nancy; she just fancied herself more realistic and mired in actuality.