Ask Me (Mess with Me 2)

“That zipper isn’t coming down until I know whether we’re staying in.”

His smile tickles my cheek. “We’re going out.”

I don’t understand why he’s been so insistent that we attend this event. I’d rather wait until he’s truly ready but I think he’s afraid of letting his protégé down. Timothy is receiving the Best New Designer award and I know Andre is really proud of him.

“You’re sure? Because Tim will understand if we don’t come to see him accept his award. He’s been so grateful for all your help and mentorship this year. Let’s just invite him over for dinner next week. I’ll make the chicken and dumplings that he loved last time.”

Andre chuckles. “I promise, I’m fine. Just don’t let go of my hand.”

Sometimes I think this man has no clue just what he means to me. He supports my goals whether it’s finishing my degree or reapplying for a job at Mirage as a junior associate. Another man might not understand why I want to work when he has the means to support me but Andre just gets it.

He just gets me.

I straighten his tie, even though it’s already perfect. Any excuse to touch him will do. I pull him down for a kiss.

“You don’t have to worry about that. I won’t let go. Ever.”

I won’t be letting go until it’s time to go to my grave.

Epilogue

* * *

Hundreds of camera flashes spark as we make our way down the red carpet. Casey’s fingers have to be hurting since I’ve been squeezing her hand this whole time but the smile on her face never falls and most importantly, she doesn’t let go.

“Mr. Lavin! Look this way!”

The panic starts to rise, everything about this eerily reminiscent of the last time I was on a red carpet. Everywhere I turn there are people shouting and the edges of my vision start to recede. Going out tonight was clearly a mistake.

Then Casey squeezes my arm. I look down at her and the chaos falls away and all I see is her. She puts a hand on my cheek and stands on tiptoe for a kiss.

“How did you know I needed that?”

She glances over at me coyly. “Who says I did? I just wanted to kiss my gorgeous boyfriend. If we have to pose for pictures, we might as well give them some that are worth it.”

I laugh at her cheeky reply. She has uncanny radar for when I need her support and offers it unfailingly. As always, she’s looking out for me.

Now I want to look out for her.

Up ahead I see Jason waiting for me. Over his shoulder I catch a glimpse of Ariana, Mya and Olivia Michaels, Casey’s mother. The past week has been a blur due to all the preparations for tonight. But I want Casey to have one night that’s absolutely perfect.

When we reach the middle of the red carpet, I raise my hand. At my signal, twenty people stand up from where they’ve been hidden amongst the photographers and start to play Pachelbel’s Canon. The photographers shout at first but as the word spreads about what’s happening, they settle down, waiting for what’s about to unfold.

“Andre, look! It’s a flash mob!” Casey squeals in delight and points at the makeshift orchestra performing beside us.

Then the first fireworks explode overhead.

She looks up in wonder. “Fireworks? I didn’t know they planned fireworks for tonight.”

When she turns around, I’m on my knees.

For the past few months, I’ve thought long and hard about when I wanted to propose to Casey again. Her words that day in her apartment were

meaningful and revealed a lot about what she truly fears. I know that she loves me and will stay with me no matter what. But that’s not what this proposal is about. At least not for me. I want her to know that I’m choosing her.

And that above all else, I desperately want her to choose me back.

“Cassandra Michaels. You are the most enchanting, exasperating, clumsy, elegant, delightful mass of contradictions I have ever met. I’ve had a hard year but your strength and your kindness are what has sustained me. You give me so much. And now I’m asking you for your hand in marriage. Casey, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”