44. Chapter 44

April is upon us already. Spring is in the air in the Midwest. Birds are chirping and flowers are starting to bloom. Spring is when everything begins to live again. Or at least I like to think of spring as starting over.

Finals wrapped up a few days ago. I couldn't feel more relieved. This semester was tough. Not only was I taking high-level classes, but I was taking eighteen credit hours. I overloaded my schedule this semester, and I'll do it all again in the summer and fall semesters. If everything goes as planned, I'll be graduating in early December. Graduating early means, I'll be able to be reunited with Quinton a semester early.

Speaking of Quinton, it's Draft Weekend. The three-day event kicks off Thursday and runs through Saturday. If all goes as planned, and what Eliza has told us, Quinton will go easily in the first-round top five. The two of us flew into Kansas City late last night. We have all day today to do some sightseeing before Quinton has a few media interviews tomorrow morning. I'll find something to keep me busy, I'm going to have to get used to doing things on my own if I'm going to travel with him when he plays.

"Hey, Wilder." Quinton gets my attention.

I've been watching people while we've been sitting at a patio table outside a little coffee shop.

"Yes?"

"Would you ever get married without getting engaged?" he asks.

My head tips in confusion."I'm confused."

He chuckles. "There's nothing confusing about it. Would you get married without being engaged? For example, we go on vacation and find the perfect little chapel. The idea of getting married pops into your head, but we aren't engaged. Do we get married right then, or do you wait until we're engaged?"

"Hmm." I bring my black coffee up to my lips for a sip. "I don't need to be engaged first. And I don't even know if I'd want a big wedding."

"Really?"

"Really. I mean, who would give me away? I have no relationship with my dad. My brother's dead. The closest guys to me are you or Cody. And I'd obviously be marrying you."

"Obviously."

"So I guess finding a little chapel would be all that I'd need. No plan, no proposal, just doing it in the heat of the moment."

He nods his head, going back to drinking his coffee, scrolling through the articles on the ESPN app. I just stare at him, puzzled at where his line of thought just came from. While he reads on his phone, I go back to watching people pass by.

My thoughts quickly go back to him asking about weddings. Honestly, I wanted a big wedding. The one where you're surrounded by all your loved ones as you walk down the aisle, in the beautiful white gown. And as your dad hands you over to your groom, a tear slips from his eye because he's giving away his baby girl. Of course, that's what I wanted. Don't all little girls want that?

But when my life changed, so did my dreams. And I'm okay with that. Honestly, I don't want a fancy wedding with the perfect dress. I want the perfect man. And I've already found him. A grin finds my lips as my eyes find him again, but instead of his phone, he's watching me. Tilting my head, I watch him watch me.

"What's on your mind, Q? Nervous for tomorrow?"

He shakes his head. "I'm not nervous about tomorrow. I know whatever is going to happen, will happen and where I'm drafted is where I'm meant to be."

"Wise words coming from you, Mr. Boyd."

"It doesn't matter as long as I have somewhere to play. And with you in the stands watching."

"I'll be by your side."

"I know you will," he says, sliding out of his chair and standing up. He reaches out his hand for me. "Come on."

Drinking my last sip of coffee, I stand up and let Quinton pull me up before grabbing my purse and following him out of the patio fence.

He leads me down the street for a few blocks. Neither one of us say anything, just enjoy the stroll walking hand in hand. Glancing up at him every once in a while, I notice that there's something on his mind. But I don't press him.

After a few more blocks, Quinton stops outside of a spa. He walks around me and heads toward the front door. Opening the door, he gestures for me to walk in.

"What is this?" I ask, looking around at the luxurious spa.

"This is my gift to you. You've worked really hard this semester, you deserve some time to unwind," he says, placing his hand on my lower back, ushering me to the front desk.

"Hello." The hostess speaks in a calm and quiet voice. "What's the reservation under?"

"Quinton Boyd," Q answers, reaching into his pocket for his wallet. He finds his credit card and slides it over to her.

She swipes his card, handing it back to him. "Miss Wilder will be ready in three hours."

My eyes bug out. Three hours. I didn't come all the way to Kansas City to sit in a spa. I came here to explore with my boyfriend. To support him and to soak as much time that we have together before his NFL career takes over.

He senses the tension radiating off my skin. Leaning down, he kisses my forehead. "Relax and trust me. I'll have a car waiting for you at noon." And with that, he turns and walks away, leaving me alone with the hostess.

"Right this way, miss." She ushers me to the right side of the lobby. I follow her and she instructs me to go into a dark room, strip off all my clothes, and lie down on the bed with the blanket on top of me. I'm about to have an hour-long massage before a facial, manicure, makeup application, and a blowout.

I can't stay mad at him for too long. This has been the best three hours of my life. Walking out to the waiting town car my body feels light as a feather and there's a calmness around me. All of the stress from the last couple of months has melted off me.

The driver takes me back to the hotel. He opens the door for me, I make my way to the hotel room. I scan the keycard and push the door open, my shoulders slumping as I'm met with an empty room. The only noise is alternative music coming from the television. Inhaling a deep breath, I spot a gift box on the bed. It's a white box with a blue bow attached. There's a note attached to the ribbon. Lowering my purse to the bed, I sit next to the box staring at it. This day has been the strangest since coffee this morning. Picking up the note, I spot familiar handwriting.

Wilder,

I'm living out all my dreams this weekend. There's just one more thing I need to do to make them all come true. Open the box, put what's in it on, and meet me downstairs in an hour.

Love Always,

Q

Slipping the ribbon off the box, I slowly open the lid. A gasp leaves my lips, and I drop the note to the floor.

What does Quinton have in mind?