Hold Me Forever: a feel-good romance (The Maxwell Brothers)

‘Wow, we should do this again,’ Emma exclaimed.

‘I know, right? I feel so fancy,’ I said.

Emma had talked me into spending a sister afternoon at a spa in the city. I protested at first because I didn’t want her to spend a fortune on me, but then she used her younger sister look—eyes wide, pouty lower lip—and I gave in. I’d gotten a mani, a pedi, and a massage. I felt utterly relaxed. It was a brand-new salon on the Magnificent Mile. This was their first day in business, so they offered everything at half price. I didn’t need much relaxation, to be honest, because I’d taken time off during Christmas and New Year’s and spent it with my sexy man. But I was glad I got to spend today with Emma.

As we dressed up, my sister asked, ‘Do you want help with your makeup? Or I can do your hair. You can even borrow my scarf.’

I stared at my sister. ‘I’m going to an ice cream parlor, not a fashion show.’ The kids Tyler coached at the beginning of the season were celebrating the fact that they were at the top of the ranking in the interschool hockey championship. And they’d invited both me and Tyler. Of course, he was the guest of honor. We were celebrating at the ice cream parlor right next to the center.

Emma frowned. ‘I know, but maybe you’ll take pics, or… I don’t know…’

‘Pics?”

She opened her mouth, then closed it again and shrugged.

“Thanks a lot for today,’ I said.

Emma winked. ‘My pleasure. Wait, let me do your hair, okay? I have my curler with me.’

She took it out of her purse, along with a million hair products.

My eyes bulged. ‘Why did you bring your hair curler and so many products?’

She loved to doll up on a daily basis, but I was certain she didn’t always carry those around.

‘Umm.’ She avoided my gaze. ‘I’m going on a date later, and I’m going to fancy up. I can style your hair quick too.’

I’d washed and blow-dried it after the massage, and I had to admit, it didn’t look great.

‘Okay. Thanks.’

She squealed in delight, plugging in the curler. I liked having her do my hair. It was soothing.

Once she was done, I looked like a million bucks. I blinked rapidly as she sprayed the third product in my hair, feeling like I might go blind soon, or at the very least not be able to see in front of me. My eyes were a bit watery, but the effect was fantastic. I was wearing a blue sweater dress and black wool tights with boots. I’d dressed casually, and my curls went with it perfectly.

“You look great.” Biting her lip, she added, “Let me add a bit of makeup.”

“Let me check the time—oh my God. I’m already late.”

“Shit, you’re right. Okay, then. Go. I’ll stay here and pack my stuff.”

“I thought you needed to get ready for your date.”

She laughed nervously. “Yeah, I meant… I’ll get ready first, then pack everything. Now come on, go. Don’t be late.”

I kissed her cheek, slinging on my coat before heading out of the spa. When I stepped outside, a blast of cold wind made my teeth chatter, but I couldn’t put my beanie on because that would ruin my hair completely.

There was no time to take the subway, so I jumped into an Uber, checking the estimated arrival time every few minutes. I was going to come in so late, and the boys didn’t have a lot of time. Their tae kwon do class was starting in forty minutes. I had fifteen minutes max with them.

When I arrived, Tyler, the kids, and Mr. Dawson were already there, of course, at the huge round table at the back of the room. Early January was far too cold for ice cream, so the parlor now also served cakes and donuts.

“Hey, sorry I’m late,” I exclaimed.

Tyler kissed my hand as I sat down. There was already a plate in front of me.

I grinned at him. “You ordered me a donut!”

Tyler winked. “Thought that would make you happy.”

“You know me so well.”

I bit into the delicious treat immediately, sighing before looking around the table. The kids looked utterly happy, and it warmed my heart. They kept sharing details about their past couple of games.

“I’m so proud of you guys,” Tyler said.

His own team was at the top of the rankings too, and I was super happy for him.

“Thank you for coaching us,” Tim replied. Next to him, Rupert nodded vigorously.

“Boys, hurry up. Your tae kwon do class starts soon,” Mr. Dawson said only a few minutes later. I pouted, truly sorry that I only got to spend a few minutes with them.

They all dressed up quickly, chattering about tae kwon do. Tyler and I waved goodbye, and after they left, I savored my last bite of the donut.

“Want to take a walk?” Tyler asked.

“Sure. Let’s ask for the bill.”

“I already took care of it a while ago.” There was an edge to his voice I hadn’t noticed before. There was something different about his eyes too.

Hmmm…

I’d made a small catalog of all my man’s looks.

The sexy glint.

The super sexy glint.

The smoldering one.

And the swoonworthy one.

This one was like a mix of them all, and it was truly overpowering.

Stepping outside, we strolled along the street, past the center, until we reached a huge, old pine tree. It looked even more majestic now in winter because it was one of the few trees still green. There were even a few snowflakes falling from the sky. They’d totally ruin my hair, but I didn’t care because I loved snow.

“Tyler? There’s something different about you, and I can’t make out what,” I said.

He cupped one side of my face, pressing his thumb at the base of my ear and splaying his fingers on the side of my neck.

‘Kendra, you’re important to me. I can’t imagine not being with you every day. I love you. I’ve been luckier than most, but even I know life isn’t easy. It will always have ups and downs. I want to experience all that with you.’

‘So do I,’ I assured him.

He took away his hand, bending, and at first, I thought he’d dropped something. Then I realized he was lowering himself on one knee.

‘Oh my God,’ I whispered, taking a step back so I could see him better. I clasped one hand on my chest because suddenly my heart was beating so fast I seriously felt like it might leap out of my chest.

Smiling, he took something out of his pocket—a ring box. ‘Kendra, we met right here, in front of the center.’

‘Oh my goodness. That’s true. We did.’

‘And that day, I told you I don’t ever follow rules, let alone instructions, and you told me you were up for the challenge. I wanted to kiss you right then, and not only were you up for it, but with you, I discovered a side of life I didn’t know existed. You’re my soul mate.’

Oh my God. My heart fluttered in my chest. ‘I thought you didn’t believe in soul mates,’ I whispered.

‘Because I hadn’t met you. I didn’t know what loving you would do to me, but now I do. Marry me, Kendra.’

My eyes filled with tears, and I didn’t bother holding them back. ‘Yes, of course.’

Putting the ring on my finger, he clasped my hands tightly. It had four stones, one pink, one blue, one green, and one white.

‘I love it,’ I whispered. ‘It’s gorgeous. This is why my sister took me to the beauty salon, isn’t it?’

Tyler laughed. ‘I bet she did. When I told her what I planned, she immediately started making plans of her own and wanted to know exactly where it was taking place and at what time.’

‘Sounds like Emma,’ I murmured.

He looked me straight in the eyes, curling a strand of my hair between his fingers. ‘I want to build a life with you, Kendra.’

‘I want it too,’ I admitted. And then I acknowledged something else. ‘I’ve been having these vivid dreams lately. You’re always in them.” I shook my head. “That sounded dirty. It’s not how I meant it.’

‘What kind of dreams?’ he asked.

‘About the future. And I never used to have them before.’ There were a lot of snowflakes now, and some were getting on my tongue every time I spoke. The wind intensified too. I looked up at the sky, then back at Tyler. “I think we’re in for a storm.”

“Looks like it.”

“So… does the rest of your plan to make me swoon today include being outdoors?”

“Actually, yes, but I’m adaptable.” He touched my jaw again, looking at me intently. “And I can think of a thing or two to do indoors too.”

I grinned. “So can I.”