Object Me: A Bad Boy Lawyer Romance (34 page)

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his last year
still feels like a dream; so much has happened that I never could have predicted. The best part of it is Ryan, but it’s also knowing that I can make my own decisions about my life.

One of the best decisions I’ve made is volunteering again. I realized after helping Ryan learn how to read with his dyslexia that there are lots of adults that have similar difficulties. It is so fulfilling for me to know that I can help them to learn to read and write on their own. It’s great going to the volunteer center and knowing that I’m making a difference in the lives of these people. It’s also wonderful working with Ryan at our own club.

Ryan was able to hold a small memorial for his parents. He asked me for my help, which I gladly gave. I know it must have hit him hard to lose them, but I was with him every step of the way.

I don’t talk to my parents anymore. Not after how they acted, trying to force me into a marriage with a despicable man. I know it was because they cared more about what people in society saw our family as rather than what I cared about. I know if they come asking for forgiveness, I will have to think hard about it. It won’t be easy.

We’ve been living together since the day I came back to him from my parents’ house. I’m so proud of Ryan. That whole time he was dancing, he was saving his money and putting it aside in the bank. He told me he didn’t know what he was saving for but that he knew deep down, even if he pretended he had everything, he wanted to be more than just a dancer.

“Dancing is great,” he says. “But I only want to dance for you now.”

With the money he saved and the money from the settlement for the fire, Ryan and I opened a strip club of our own. Theresa is his assistant manager and I help with the books and had a big say in the decorating.

He had set some money aside to help open up a shelter for the homeless, which was something he always wanted to do. I am so proud of him for being so selfless. He spoke a few times about wanting to get a degree from college. We planned out when he could, since we would be busy with our club for some time, and I think it will definitely be attainable.

Our club is very chic and classy. No neon lights or cheap advertising. It is a lady’s club. Tonight is our opening night and the whole place is humming with excitement. Ryan has been so nervous all day. He left early and told me he would see me tonight at the grand opening. He said he wants me in the audience watching like a guest so that I can give him feedback on tonight’s show.

I put on a short blue silk dress that highlights my blue eyes and shows off my legs. I want tonight to be perfect for Ryan. It’s also a big night for me and Theresa, so I want to look my best.

Sitting at a table in the front, I can’t help but think of the first night I met Ryan, dancing at the club. I feel almost as nervous now as I did then. The club is packed to capacity and the ladies are already having a great time, even though the dancers haven’t come out yet.

The waiters are all wearing low slung tight black pants and are shirtless. They look hot and are doing a good job of keeping the drinks coming and getting the ladies excited for what is to come.

The lights dim and this is the sign that the show is about to start. The audience quiets but there is a hum of anticipation moving across the tables. The music comes on and it’s my favorite song that Ryan dances to. The stage is dark and I can’t tell if the dancers are on the stage yet. I hold my breath. We have so much riding on this. The spotlight turns on and reveals a sole man on the stage. He is in a suit and has a fedora on. When he starts to dance I know instantly that it is Ryan. Nobody else can move the way he does on the dance floor.

I thought he was done dancing and a twinge of disappointment hits me. I know he is anxious about the club being a success but I really believed he was finished dancing for anyone but me.

His jacket and hat come off and the women are cheering and calling for more. He catches my gaze and holds it. He is unbuttoning his shirt with his hips making love to an invisible partner to the beat of the song. He pulls his shirt off and I am as captured in the moment as I had been that first night. The sounds of the crowd disappear into the background and Ryan dances down off the stage, never breaking eye contact with me.

He is right in front of me but instead of pulling me into the dance he gets down on one knee. My heart is beating so fast I’m afraid I will faint. He pulls a small jewelry box from his pocket and flips it open. There is a ring and the diamond sparkles in the spotlight. He gets up and straddles me on the chair and whispers into my ear so only I can hear.

“Will you marry me, Aria?”

“Yes,” I say. And nod my head yes just in case he can’t hear. I know the tears are streaming down my face but I don’t care. This moment is exactly how it should be. His last dance at the club is the song we met to. And now we have the whole future to look forward to as husband and wife.