Chapter 33

33

TALLULAH

R iding the high of a successful festival, I’d finally let Sayra talk me into a shopping trip. The sun was out and the air warm, the streets wide and clean, lined with expensive stores I was almost too afraid to even look at.

Nerves twittered in my stomach every time we walked into one, but Sayra was being great about it, understanding when I hesitated but encouraging me all the way. She pointed at a store a little ways down the block as we strolled down the sidewalk with a few bags already in hand, a big smile on her face as her red hair glistened in the sunshine.

“We’re sure to get a few awesome deals in there. Every year between Halloween and Christmas, the designer discounts her stock from the last year to make space in the store for her new stuff.”

I looked toward where she was pointing, noticing that it was yet another storefront that looked way too chic, sophisticated, and pricey for me to be able to afford anything in there, but Sayra looped her arm through mine and grinned.

“You’re going to love her stuff. That’s where I got the dress you wore to Niall’s party. Most of her designs are inspired by everything gothic, so—” She suddenly stopped talking, pulling me to an abrupt stop as her eyes went wide.

“Is that him ?” she asked, squinting at the sidewalk in front of a jewelry shop. “That’s definitely Niall, and Jake’s with him too.”

My heart skipped, but when I focused my gaze on the men who’d just walked out of a store proclaiming to be a diamond boutique, I frowned. “That’s him, alright. And Jake too. I wonder what on earth they were doing in there.”

Sayra stared at them for another beat as they laughed about something and crossed the road. Then she tugged on my arm when they turned down the street and started coming back down in our direction. We ducked into an alleyway, peeking out from behind the corner like creeps and watching as they strode away.

I let out a deep breath once they were gone. “Why are we hiding?”

“I have no idea,” she said lightly, giggling as she shrugged and let go of my arm. “It seemed like a good idea at the time. If a man goes into a jewelry store without telling you about the visit, it’s because he doesn’t want you to know he’s been there.”

I arched an eyebrow at her, failing to hide my smile. “That sounds a bit like a conspiracy theory to me. Why wouldn’t he want me to know?”

“Maybe he’s planning on proposing to you,” she suggested excitedly, stars suddenly shining in her eyes as she hurried out of the alleyway. “Come on! If I’m right, we need to find you the perfect outfit.”

Clutching the few shopping bags I’d accumulated so far in one hand, I pressed the other against my chest, trying to calm my rapidly galloping heart. She thinks Niall is going to propose to me?

“That’s insane,” I muttered, though I couldn’t deny that the idea was incredibly appealing.

If there was one man in the world I’d ever say yes to again, it was him. I’d been struggling so much with my insecurity about our relationship, but he calmed my fear every time. He’d told me over and over again how he felt and he’d proven he truly didn’t want anything from me other than just me .

I hadn’t even thought about marriage, but if there was one thing I knew for sure, it was that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. A little flurry of excitement swirled through me before I shook my head.

“No, that’s insane,” I said louder this time, following Sayra out of the alleyway and shaking my head again when she looked at me. “Why would you even think something like that?”

Her eyebrows swept up a little. “It’s clear that he’s crazy about you. As far as I know, he’s never been seen gallivanting around in public with a woman, but he was all over you at that festival. That means more than I think you realize. Plus, he’s the type to take action. He knows what he wants and he goes after it instead of just thinking it to death.”

I rolled my lips into my mouth and tried to keep my breathing even, but excitement was suddenly coursing hot and heavy through my veins. I knew what it felt like when a relationship was wrong, and that made me completely sure that this one was right.

Moreover, I wanted Niall to be mine and I wanted to be his. I wanted to learn with him, and grow with him, and have him be my partner in life. I didn’t really care so much about a wedding. For me, it was all about what people built together after and I wanted Niall to be the person I built it with.

“Do you really think so?” I asked quietly, falling into step beside her when she spun and headed toward the boutique we’d been on our way to when we’d seen them. “You don’t think it’s too soon?”

She shrugged. “If you know something is right, why wait? I mean, when you’re too young when you start dating or whatever, you’re obviously going to wait, but you guys aren’t that young. There’s no reason not to go for it if it’s what you both want.”

My heart thudded against my ribs, and I decided to let myself allow the excitement to keep spreading. “You do know we’re probably only setting ourselves up for disappointment, right?”

“Maybe, but I don’t think so.” She grinned at me again. “If I’m right though, I expect to be a bridesmaid.”

I chuckled, my eyes rolling as I slid my sunglasses on. “Of course, but let’s not start picking out your dress or mine just yet.”

In the end, she’d been right about us getting great deals at that boutique and about me loving the designer’s style. For the first time in my life, I’d splurged and bought no fewer than six new outfits at once, and even as I walked back into the guest house late in the afternoon, I didn’t have any buyer’s remorse.

I shut the door behind myself, a smile spreading on my lips as I raced upstairs to unpack my new purchases. I couldn’t believe I’d done it, but I’d completely refreshed my meager wardrobe in just one day and it was exhilarating.

As I unpacked my purchases, tears even welled in my eyes at the thought that all these were mine. None of these outfits were at all ordinary, and one of the shirts even had artful rips in it, which my mom would’ve thought was outrageous, but I loved it.

I pulled out a black dress with an uneven hem, the points it hung to reminiscent of what one might wear when dressing up like a witch, but the black lace overlay and plummeting neckline made it stylish and sexy—or so I thought. Hugging the fabric to my chest, I held it tight and closed my eyes, breathing in deeply as I wondered if I might wear this when Niall popped the question.

Of course, I still had no way of knowing if Sayra had been right, but for just a minute, I let myself fantasize about it. About a proposal and a small, intimate wedding. About moving in with him and starting our lives together, possibly even making his neighbor happy by having a few kids to fill all the rooms in that big old house.

I’d always wanted children, but after what had happened in my last marriage, I’d never imagined actually meeting someone I wanted to have them with. Now that I had though, and now that Sayra had put the idea of a possible happily ever after in my head, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Eventually, I let go of the dress and grabbed a quick shower. I was getting ready for bed when my phone started ringing. I smiled when I saw Niall’s name on the screen, immediately picking up as I climbed into bed.

“Hey, you,” I said softly, my smile only growing as I leaned back against my headboard and closed my eyes to listen to his beautiful voice. “How was your day?”

“It was fine,” he said, his own voice quieter than usual. “I just got in bed and I didn’t want to go to sleep without saying goodnight. Did you end up going shopping today?”

“I did,” I said as I settled in for the conversation. “Sayra took me to a few amazing places. I can’t wait to show you everything I bought.”

“I can’t wait to see it, and to see you. I thought about coming over tonight, but I’ve got an early meeting. I miss you, though.”

I smiled. “I miss you too.”

A beep in my ear told me that another call was coming in and I pulled my phone away to check who it was. As soon as I saw the number, I recognized it and my heart dropped. Why is my mom calling me?

“Tell me about what you bought,” Niall was saying as I pressed the phone back to my ear, letting my mom’s call go to voicemail.

My blood had run ice cold, though. Even my voice was shaky when I tried to get back to the conversation. “Oh, uh, it’s nothing special really. Just some clothes, a couple pairs of shoes, and a few accessories.”

“Are you okay?” he asked, suddenly sounding a lot more alert. “Tallulah? Why are you upset? What just happened?”

I frowned. “I, uh. Nothing. I’m fine. I think I’m just tired. Good luck with your meeting in the morning. I’ll see you soon?”

“Of course. Good night, baby. I love you.” It sounded like he wanted to say something else, but in the end, he just sighed. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine,” I lied, wondering why on earth my mother would be calling me. “Good night, Niall. I love you too. Bye.”

“Bye, my love,” he said, sounding worried but hanging up the phone without pressing the issue, which I appreciated.

While I would tell him about the surprising phone call, I just needed a minute to chew it over by myself before I was faced with potential questions. My parents had cut off all contact with me after I’d gone through with the divorce, and though it’d been years, I’d never heard from them even once.

They hadn’t reached out for birthdays or Christmases, and as time had gone on, I’d accepted they’d simply never forgive me. In fact, I hadn’t even realized they had my number anymore. I’d changed it after I’d left California so Carter wouldn’t be able to contact me, and at the time, I’d sent it to my parents just in case, but I’d sort of assumed they’d never saved it to their contacts.

Now, however, it seemed they did still have it. I just had no idea why my mom would suddenly be using it after so long, but I had a feeling it wouldn’t be good news. I also had a feeling I wouldn’t be getting any sleep tonight.