CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Candace
Much to my pleasure, Asher and Adrian deliver my boxes from the house, and they bring me a slice of pizza. When they leave, I have an invitation to meet Asher’s wife and another of Adrian’s bad jokes behind me. Something about a dinosaur and an egg. I’m also feeling like I have a clan of big brothers, which is pretty wonderful.
I shower and dress in leggings, a sweater and sneakers with light make-up. Once I’m dressed, I spray on my favorite floral perfume and dig through my boxes to pull out my office supplies. I also dig in my purse and locate the ring Rick gave me. I stare at it and decide, the best, and quite bold way, to tell him I’m all in, is to put that ring on. And so I do. I put that ring on and it feels good on my finger. Smiling, I grab my box and walk down the hall to an office Rick has set-up. I unload my things and then grab my sketch pad with an eye on the big, snuggly chair in the corner. I settle in and start working on a draft of my dream house I used to imagine in my mind. A house on the ocean that I’d share with Rick. I’ve just finished the draft when my cellphone rings with my father’s number. My heart leaps and I answer. “Dad?”
“Honey.”
“Oh God, it’s good to hear your voice.”
“It’s good to have a voice for you to hear. Thank you for what you did.”
“It was Rick. Rick made that rescue happen.”
“And he said it was you. I guess you both must be in love.”
“He’s always been the love of my life, Dad. I think you know that.”
“I do. I should have never let you say yes to Gabriel. You didn’t love him. And I didn’t know what he was until it was too late.”
I spend a good hour talking to him, about everything, including mom. “Was she murdered?”
“Yes.”
“Did you get revenge?”
“Yes. Do you hate me?”
“No. I love you all the more for it.”
“Tell me tomorrow when you see me off to the airport. I’m going home—to retire.”
“Retire? You?”
“It’s time, daughter. Don’t you think?”
“Maybe it is.”
We disconnect with plans for tomorrow morning. A few minutes later, Rick appears in the doorway. “I see you’ve settled in.”
I run my hand over the arms of the wonderful brown velour. “I love this chair.”
“What the hell?” He crosses to kneel in front of me, grabbing my hand. “What is—oh fuck. This is the ring I gave you.”
“Yeah. I mean, I know you haven’t asked me to marry you, but I—”
“Take it off.”
I blanch. “What?”
“Take it off, baby. That ring is embarrassingly pathetic.”
“No it’s not.” I cover it with my hand. “I love this ring. You gave me this ring.”
“I wasn’t going to do this now like this but you leave me no choice.” He reaches in the pocket of the thin leather jacket he’s wearing and produces a ring box. “Candace Marks, will you marry me?”
My eyes instantly tear up. “Rick. Oh God, Rick.”
He lifts the lid and displays a stunning, heart-shaped ring that glistens in the light. “Put this on instead.”
“Oh my God,” I say again. “It’s stunning. It’s so big.”
“Two carats.”
“That box says Tiffany & Co.. You spent too much. I am fine with the ring I had. I love you. And—”
“Baby, say yes because in my heart I know you want to say yes, but I’m still freaking the fuck out right now. I need to hear it.”
“Yes. Of course, yes. Yes, Rick Savage, I will marry you.” I throw my arms around his neck and hug him. “I love you.”
He runs his hand over my hair. “And I love you. Now take off that ring and put on the new one.”
I laugh and do as he says to find it fits perfectly. The man even remembers my ring size. “It’s perfect.”
“You’re perfect, Candy Savage.”
I laugh, and we begin to talk about when, and how, I will become his wife, and legally claim the perfect stripper name all to myself. Eat your heart out, Lilah Love.
EPILOGUE
Candace
The next morning, Rick and I pick my father up in a Walker Escalade to take him to the airport. My father joins me in the backseat while Rick drives. And my father comes holding a gift: a chocolate cake. The ride in traffic is heavy and my father and I make breakfast that cake. He did, after all, bring plates, forks, and milk.
When we arrive at the airport, my father is flying out on a private Walker jet. I walk him to the stairs of the plane and give him a tearful goodbye with a promise that I’ll see him next month in San Antonio while he promises to help plan mine and Rick’s wedding.