Gabe

Sasha grinned and pointed to the screen. I peered closer and that’s when I noticed the user name of the person who uploaded the video. SashaSass. I looked over at her in astonishment.

“That’s right, pretty boy. Every time those haters click on this to laugh at me, I’m getting ad revenue. They can laugh but they’re paying for my club!”

There’s a sudden roar from the crowd in the club and I look up to see that Sasha’s on stage. The music starts from her now infamous single “Falling Hard - Failing Hard.” Her remix of the original song was so popular that she’s now working on a full-length album. She’s determined to do it her way: sassy, sexy and jazz-inspired. The crowd sings along with the chorus and when she reaches the end, she flips up her skirt playfully to reveal yellow polka-dot shorts.

I laugh along with everyone else. Sasha giggles and then turns the mic over to the next act. As soon as she comes off the stage, I’m there to meet her. She accepts my hand and then hugs me gently.

“Sasha! You were amazing.”

We turn to see her sisters. Sasha squeals and before long she’s in the middle of a big, messy group hug. It took time for her family to come around but once they saw Sasha’s enthusiasm and her incredible savvy, they started taking her more seriously. No matter how strong she is I know that having her family in her corner means the world to her.

“Congratulations, sis. You really did it. This place is great. And Dad is over the moon.”

Her sister Audra points across the room to where Sasha’s parents stand at the bar. Her father has a faraway look on his face. I know he’s in a good place tonight because he didn’t give me too much hell when I talked to him earlier. Although the fact that I was asking for his permission to ask for Sasha’s hand in marriage probably went a long way toward his being so friendly.

After my hasty marriage proposal, I never mentioned it again. My sweet girl hasn’t brought it up either. I think she has assumed that I was so out of it that I don’t remember the conversation. Nothing could be further from the truth. I just want her to have everything. Including a proper proposal from a man who doesn’t look like he’s at death’s door.

I pat my pocket nervously. I’m not going to do it here. This is Sasha’s moment. Pride swells as I watch her shake hands with her producer and several of the artists who have performed tonight. Just like I told her she would on the roof that night, she’s finally found her place.

And even in a room full of stars, she’s shining the brightest of all.

*   *   *   *   *

When we arrive home that night, Sasha does the same thing she always does: drop her handbag and slip out of her shoes. I follow her upstairs and then wait until she’s changed into a nightshirt and shorts for bed. I strip down to my boxers, gripping the ring box in my hand. Once I slide under the covers, I move over so she can rest her head on my shoulder. Her hand plays with my hair idly and I have to smile.

Unconsciously she’s mirroring everything we did that night.

"I'm so sorry. So sorry, beautiful girl."

Her nose crinkles in surprise. “What do you mean? Sorry for what?”

I lift her hand to my lips and kiss the tips of her fingers. "I know you don't like the idea of just living together. You're a good girl."

She stares at me, perplexed. I can see the moment that she figures out what’s going on. Her eyes drop to my other hand, clenched into a fist resting at my side. She gasps and her eyes dart back to mine, searching.

I squeeze her fingers, looking deep into her eyes.  "And I love that about you. So let's get married."

“Oh my god. I didn’t think you remembered.” She pulls me in for a soft, lingering kiss. Then just like last time, she plants a little kiss on the tip of my nose. “Yes. I still think you’re loopy.”

“No, I’m just in love.” Then I proceed to show her just how much I love her. I can’t put my usual moves on her considering how stiff I still am but I’m more than willing to let her be the strong, in charge woman I know she is. A while later, she collapses next to me, panting almost as hard as I am.

She lets out a little sigh. “Oh Gabe. I guess charming isn’t so bad sometimes.”

“Sasha? I want to tell you something."

After she’s caught her breath, I turn my head until my lips brush her forehead. 

"I made a promise to Zack not to be a criminal. But you are the one who makes me want to be a good person. I'm not worthy of you but I'm going to spend every day trying to be the kind of guy you deserve. A good guy."

"Not too good I hope. You know I like bad boys,” she teases.

“For you, I'll always be as bad as you want me to be."

THE END