The New Rule: (The Casual Rule 2) (40 page)
Read The New Rule: (The Casual Rule 2) Online
Authors: Ac Netzel
“One of the blue-haired ladies I met with hit into my elbow. The pen I was holding jammed right into my face. I’m lucky it missed my eye,” I lie.
“Aww, poor baby. Little old ladies beating you up?” she teases, giving me a swift kiss on my cheek. She leans in to hug me and stops. “Ugh. You smell like cigars,” she complains.
You can thank your father for that.
“Some guy on the subway platform was puffing away,” I lie again.
Thankfully, I’m pretty quick on my feet.
“They’re not supposed to smoke there.” She frowns… adorably.
“He didn’t seem like the type to fuck around with. I already got my face beaten in by the blue-haired ladies. I met my brawling quota for the day. I’ll change out of these clothes.”
I wouldn’t be wearing these clothes if your mother and her friends didn’t hold me hostage and I had time to shower and change.
“There’s a stain on that shirt anyway. It looks like grease. My mother puts a dab of plain old dish detergent on the spot to get grease stains out. Try that.”
“I scarfed down a slice of pizza for lunch in between meetings. The oil was dripping all over the place. I’ll try the detergent later.” I shake my head.
She calls me observant? She doesn’t miss a thing.
“It’s been one of those days. I hope you don’t mind, I picked up Emilio’s instead of going out. I thought it’d be nice just to eat-in and relax here tonight.”
“No, that’s fine,” she says with a twinkle in her eye.
She thinks I want sex, I can see it in her “you’re such a man” expression. I do… but later.
“Good. Give me five minutes and I’ll get dinner,” I say.
“I’ll get it,” she offers.
“Just relax. I’ll be right back.” I have bigger plans for you.
I walk out of my study and wait in the hallway. If I know Julia, the way I think I know her, she won’t be able to control her urge to peek at my work. Especially since it’s been so long since I’ve written.
Hitting those keys again felt good.
It’s been half a minute and she hasn’t left the room. I know she took the bait. I walk to the entrance of my study and see her sitting on my desk chair. Smiling, I lean against the doorway frame and watch her.
She’s stunning, twirling her hair around her finger. I doubt she’s aware she does it. The screen lights up. I inhale a quick breath. This is it. My future is now in her hands.
She cocks her head slightly and places her hand over her mouth as she reads the words that poured out from my heart to that keyboard.
She swivels the chair around with tears running down her cheeks.
“You knew I came in here and read your stuff?” she asks.
“Yes,” I answer, my smile widening.
“And you’re not mad?”
I shake my head. “No.”
I walk over to her, overwhelmed by the depth of love I feel for her. I hope I can articulate it. How do you choose the right words to convey to the person sitting in front of you that they are the reason you breathe?
I drop down on one knee and pull a velvet box out of my pocket. Carefully, I open the box and my grandmother’s engagement ring sparkles. I debated whether to buy her a new ring or give her this ring… but its history, its meaning … it’s as irreplaceable as she is. I know, this ring was meant for her.
She gasps, her body trembling.
This is the one part of tonight I didn’t plan. I want to be in the moment and speak from my heart.
“I didn’t look for love, love found me. You are my heart and my soul. I love our past. I love our present. It would be my privilege to be your future.
This ring belonged to my grandmother,” I choke up, swallow hard and pull myself together. “It’s been in my family for over a hundred years. I would be honored if you’d wear it.
I want to be the only one in your heart. The only one who kisses you goodnight. The only one you love because Julia, you are the only one I will ever love.
You’re everything good in my life. I want complicated and messy with you. Every part of me belongs to you. Spend the rest of your life beside me. Let me love you forever.
I love you, Julia Conti. Be my wife. Please marry me.”
She nods enthusiastically.
“Yes?” I ask, a little stunned. I need to hear it.
“Yes,” she cries out, smiling wide with tears rolling down her cheeks.
Relief and elation wash over me. I take the ring out of the box and slide it on her trembling finger. I gaze down at it sparkling brilliantly on her finger.
My wife
. It’s like a fucking adrenalin rush.
I stand, pulling her out of the chair and twirl her around, laughing… humbled, thankful, and fucking ecstatic. I kiss her softly, pouring every ounce of love I feel for this beautiful woman into this kiss then I slowly put her back down. Emotion overwhelms me, tears well in my eyes and I grin.
“I don’t know how to tell you how much I love you,” I whisper.
“You’re doing a great job. I love you. I love you so much.” I don’t know if she’s laughing or crying.
“I know I don’t deserve you, but I’m going to be selfish and never let you go.” I gaze at her, awestruck, wiping away the tears falling down her cheeks with my knuckle.
“Good. Never let me go. Never ever let me go,” she says, her beautiful smile lighting up the room and warming my heart.
I’ve been waiting for Julia my whole life. I just didn’t know it until I met her. She’s completely turned my world around. She’s taught me that things don’t have to be simple to be perfect. I love her with everything I am. And now that I found her, I have no intention of ever letting her go.
Maybe love isn’t easy…
But loving her is.
~o0o~
About the Author
AC Netzel
Author of The Casual Rule
And The New Rule
I’m an Accidental Writer, a wife and mother. I found that writing a book was a great way to get out of housework, so I ran with it. I have a sarcastic streak and love to make people laugh.
I like to write about women with a little snark and their relationships with the men they love and the friends they keep. I may seem like a cynic when you first meet me, but truth is I’m a Happily Ever After girl.
You can find me here:
My Blog: http://
www.ACNetzel.com
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Goodreads:
http://tinyurl.com/m47qqg5
*** More of Julia, Ben, and Allie is scheduled for publication in late, 2015. Untitled for now…Working title: The Casual Rule 3. Be sure to follow me on Amazon, Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter for updates. You can also add it to your TBR list on Goodreads. ****
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