The crowd was silent again, waiting to hear her answer and tears crowded the corners of her stinging eyes.
“I was wrong babe, but you’ve been wrong, too. Not believing in me, not believing in us when I tell you all I want is you and me together. So you’ve made me come to this,” he explained, his gaze directly staring into the camera.
“Justin, you never had to declare your love for me like this.” God, he looked so handsome, so vulnerable as he poured his heart out to her in the middle of the giant field, in front of everyone. In front of the millions of people watching on national TV.
“Well hell, what better place to do it? And besides, you weren’t listening so I had to find a way to make you listen.” He paused, a sensual smile curving his lips. “Are you listening, Stephanie?”
“Yes. Yes, I’m listening.”
“Then hear this.” His breathing deepened and she watched in fascination as he reached into his front jeans pocket and pulled out a small black velvet jewelers’ box. The crowd literally gasped, the sound reverberated all around the stadium and she waited w
ith held breath as he clutched the tiny box in his big hand. He held it straight out toward the camera.
“I love you, Stephanie. And I want to make you my wife, if you’ll have me,” he murmured into the phone.
The tears started flowing down her face and her voice cracked, a sob pushing out and sounding over his microphone, echoing throughout the stadium.
“Is that a yes, babe? Please tell me you’re not crying.”
“I’m not crying,” she wailed and his expression turned pained. He knew she was lying. “Well I am but it’s happy crying, I promise.”
“So what’s your answer? I need to know. The crowd needs to know. And the game needs to resume, too.”
She laughed through the tears, wondering if she’d ever love this man more than she did at this very moment. “My answer is yes. I’d love to be your wife. I love you, Justin.”
The crowd broke out in loud whistles and clapping, the sound deafening even over his cell phone. She smiled and laughed, wiping at the tears on her face and when she glanced up at Sia who was standing next to the couch, she saw tears shining in her roommate’s eyes as well.
“That was the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen,” Sia confessed in a whisper, sounding like a complete sap.
“Well, everyone it’s been great and all but I need to get to my bride-to-be.” Justin strode across the field, determination filling his every long step and she watched, fascinated as he reached up and flicked the mic off. His limp was prominent tonight and the sight of it made her heart ache with the need to take care of him. She vowed she would the second she saw him.
She couldn’t wait to take care of this man for the rest of her life.
“Stephanie? Are you still there?” The concern and worry in his voice as he spoke to her on the phone caused her heart to swell.
“I’m still here,” she murmured, clutching the phone even tighter.
“Wait for me, babe. I’ll be right there. I can’t wait to see you.” He disconnected the call before she got a chance to say anything else and she tossed the phone onto the couch. With a quick shake of her head, she threw her hands up in the air, amazed at what just happened.
“I’m going to leave, give you two some privacy. I’ll be back in a few hours.” Sia grabbed the bag of Cheetos and rolled it up, setting it on the kitchen counter.
“Were you in on this?” Stephanie asked, resting her hands on her hips as she faced her roommate.
Sia shrugged, her expression sheepish. “Kind of. Okay yes, Justin called me and we planned this all out but I did it for you. I did it for the both of you. You’ve both been miserable without each other.”
Sia was right. Stephanie just wished she’d seen it sooner than now.
* * *
When he saw the door slowly swing open and Stephanie standing in the doorway, her expression shy, hesitant, it felt as if a two ton weight had been lifted from Justin’s shoulders.
She was beautiful, sweet and about to become all his. Forever.
“You’re fast,” she said, her voice soft, her eyes shining with emotion.
“I couldn’t wait to see you.” He hesitated and stuffed his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “Can I come in?”
She opened the door wider and he strode in, turning to watch her as she shut the door. And then because he couldn’t hold back any longer he was upon her, gathering Stephanie into his arms and holding her so close she probably couldn’t breathe.