Chapter 10

chapter

ten

Maxine

It's New Year's Eve and we've wrapped the movie. Tonight is our big cast party and I'm actually looking forward to it. So much has changed in the last few weeks. For one I gave notice on my tiny apartment and moved in with Andrew since I was spending all my time at his place anyways.

Secondly, I did finally "meet" his family on video chat and yes, I'm the narwhal. I get it now and wow, it just says so much about his family and him. My man is just amazing, that's all there is to it. And he loves me in ways I never even would have known to wish for. Ways, I didn't even know I needed.

As it turns out, he's my narwhal too.

I'm nearly ready for our fancy party tonight with my sparkly black wrap dress, which frankly does fabulous things for my tits. Andrew is gonna have a hard time—pun intended—getting out the door tonight without fucking me up against something.

I'm just putting in my second earring when he steps into the bathroom.

"Holy fuck, sweet thing, you look…"

I see his reflection in the mirror as he stands behind me.

He scrubs a hand down his face. "So beautiful." He shakes his head as if trying to pull himself from a trance. Then he spins around to face away from me. His head tilts down like he's looking at the floor. "Okay, do not look at the pretty lady. You cannot come out and play until I get to say the things I need to say."

I burst out laughing. "Oh my God, are you talking to your dick?" I ask.

"He needs a time out," Andrew says.

I laugh again. "Are you going to turn around to face me?"

He exhales slowly. "I'm going go to give it a try." Ever so carefully, he turns towards me, keeping his eyes on my face. "I love you, Max."

"I love you too, Cheeks," I say, using his new nickname that still makes him blush. I love that half of the world has seen his bare ass, yet he still gets embarrassed.

"I have two things." He holds up two fingers. "First, I got you something that I was hoping you'd wear tonight. Something special."

He gives me that slow Texas grin of his that I think makes my panties disappear. If I were actually wearing any, but that's his surprise for later. "All right. I'll wear it."

"Close your eyes," he says.

I do as I'm told and then a moment later, he tells me to open them and he's on one knee in front of me.

"Maxine Sawyer, you are the one true love of my life, my narwhal. Please put me out of my misery and say you'll also be my wife? I want to legally bind you to me for all eternity."

I laugh. "You're kinda creepy sometimes, but it's cute and I like you a lot so I'm gonna let it slide." I wiggle my left hand in front of him. "Yes, I'll be your wife, you lunatic."

He slides that ring on my finger, then stands and pulls me into his arms for a heated kiss.

I break the kiss to take a peek at my new bling. I wouldn't have said I was much of a diamond girl, but seeing this antique gold ring on my finger makes me want to squee like a twelve year old!

"It's beautiful."

"I'm glad you like it. It was my grandmother's."

"That makes it even more special. I really can't wait to meet your family. I mean, I don't know how to be in a real family like that, but I'm going to try to learn. I promise that."

"They love you already, darlin', you've got nothing to worry about. And we could go see them soon if you want. That's actually the second thing I wanted to talk to you about."

I pull my eyes from my beautiful engagement ring to look at my gorgeous fiancé. Oh my God, how is this my life?!

"I found a grant at the University of Texas Medical School that will cover most of your tuition and fees for the rest of your schooling if you sign a contract to practice in one of the rural Texas towns on this list." He swallows and gives me a tiny nod. "Wouldn't you know that Saddle Creek is on that list?"

"So, I could finish my medical degree and then practice in your home town?" I ask.

"Yes. I mean it wouldn't have to be forever. I believe the contracts are for six years. So after that time period, you'd be free to move your practice wherever you want."

"But you researched this all on your own?"

"Admittedly, I did call the main librarian back home, Callie Crawford, because she's whip smart and super helpful with this kind of thing. I just wanted to know a jumping off point, which she was able to give me."

I just stare at him because this man… this man is everything.

"Max, you don't have to do it that way at all and I wasn't trying to overstep anything, I just?—"

I cut him off with a kiss. Then I proceed to kiss the hell out of him. Finally, I pull back, when we're both breathing hard.

"I thought you were upset," he says.

"No. I was just shocked. No one has ever gone out of their way to help me before."

"That's what being partners is all about," he says.

"Then I'm going to love being on your team."