Mack Brown, a successful psychologist, moved to Chicago after her first heartbreak. After meeting a lawyer, Zander Carmichael, she believes she's starting to warm up to commitment again, that is until she bumps into her first love 6 years later. Sec...
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The question we all want an answer to. "What is the purpose of life?". It's a scary concept because life always seems to have something around the corner. The majority of the time, those unexpected moments can be seen as coincidences. A reaction of an action. The unavoidable thought of doubt. The questioning of the ifs, the buts, and the maybes. That's how he made me feel. Always questioning what if I chose a different path.
Like I said, life hits you when you least expect it, especially when you're running damn late.
It is just like us to be late for something important. From me taking way too long in the shower and Zander fussing about whether he should wear a white or black shirt, we're as bad as each other. This day is huge for us both and the main responsibilities lie with us.
Actually, one responsibility lies with us, be there on time! After topping up my lipstick and brushing my fingers through my hair, I can finally say I am ready.
I look like an adult, like an actual professional adult. I better do, after all the years I spent in university to get my degree and master's, and now I am an official senior partner in my own psychology firm.
My trail of thought is interrupted by the feeling of two large arms wrapping around my stomach from behind. He puts his lips near my neck and places the softest of kisses on it just before saying
"You look beautiful Mack". I giggle a small smile and turn to face him while wrapping my arms over his shoulders.
"You don't look so bad yourself." Zander and I have been together for a year and a half now and it's a big day for us. I met him through work. When the psychology firm was first opening, we were looking for the right lawyers to represent the firm during any legal disputes. We chose 'Kane+Summers', and luckily for me, Zander happened to be a lawyer within that firm.
If it wasn't his looks that tempted me, it was definitely his charm. Our first ever encounter was nothing but one-sided flirting from him. As much as I acted like he was annoying, I couldn't help but admit that his cheeky ways had found a way to me. Now, Zander has his own law firm and is one of the most successful lawyers in Chicago.
He pushes my hair to the side and smiles down at me. "We need to go now baby, we're already late" he informs in his sexy hush tone.
"I know, is the car ready?" I ask. He nods a simple yes and we start making our way to the lift doors when I remember the most important thing.
"Oh my god, Zander? Do you have his ring?" I ask frantically. I begin to panic until the moment when he grabs my wrist and stops me from my panic.
"I have got his ring, right here," he says patting his pocket on his chest. I let out a deep breath and we finally made it out of the building.
We finally arrive at the restaurant and see Sapphire and Sam already sitting at the table. Sapphire waves us over and we start making our way to her. We all exchange greetings with hugs, handshakes, kisses, and everything else and finally sit in the booth. While Saph and I make small talk about our outfits and makeup, Zander hands the ring box over to Sam from under the table. The waitress comes over to the table and takes our order.
After eating that gorgeous meal, it's finally time for dessert. However, it should be known, this isn't just dessert. It's a huge surprise for Sapphire. Sam has been waiting for the perfect moment to drop the question to her however he is what you consider reckless. Any valuable items he has, cannot stay with him because he always ends up losing them.
That's why Zander had the ring on him, to look after it. The only way I found out was because I found the ring and this whole thing happened with me and Zander. We like to call it a huge misunderstanding on my part. The desserts make their way to the table and Sam gets up from his seat. On Sapphire's plate, there's writing which says 'I love you Saphi'. She looks up from her plate and sees Sam on one knee with a box in his hand displaying the shiniest of rings.
Zander wraps his arm around my back and pulls me in closer while we watch the whole thing unfold. Sapphire has her hands to her mouth and tears begin to pool up in her eyes. I can feel a lump grow in my throat. I'm overwhelmed with happiness for my best friend. Sam finishes his little speech and finally says "Sapphire May, will you do me the honor of being my wonderful wife?"
Zander and I have our eyes locked on the couple along with the rest of the restaurant. Even the staff are invested in this. Sapphire finally removes her hands from her mouth and answers saying "Yes, of course, yes, yes, yes a thousand times yes!"
As soon as those words were said, everyone cheered. I scoped the room of so many witnesses smiling and happy for my best friend and that's when my eyes froze. They locked with another pair of eyes. I know those green eyes. I know that face. I would recognise that face anywhere. He could be sat across the room or all the way back in England, I would never forget that face. The cause of my questionings. My heart begins to race and the smile on my face has disappeared.
The claps and cheers from the people in the restaurants are almost muffled and the room begins to spin. I can't begin to comprehend what I have just seen, who I have just seen. Five years. It's been five fucking years and I thought I would never see that face again.
My daze is interrupted by Sapphire hugging me tightly. "Mack, how long did you know about this?" Know about what? Oh, the engagement. I completely forgot what was going on, my mind was just racing and I felt like I was going to be sick.
"A while" I replied with a small laugh. Zander gently squeezes my hip and looks at my face. I can tell he's concerned.
"What's wrong Mack?" he whispers into my ears. "Nothing, I think the dessert is just making me feel stuffed" I reply. I can't tell him the real reason, I just can't.
I excuse myself to the bathroom and run straight into the bathroom stall. I hang my head over the toilet bowl, as if I'm going to be sick, but nothing is coming out. I walk over to the sinks and stare deeply into the mirrors. My thoughts are all over the place.
What is he doing here? Is it really him? Am I imagining it? Sapphire bursts through the bathroom door and starts calling out my name. "I'm here Saph" I state. She walks over to me and starts rubbing my back. "Mack are you okay?" she asks. I nod and politely tell her I am fine and there is nothing to worry about. I top up my makeup and pull myself together. We make our way out of the toilets and nothing in the world could have prepared me for what was about to happen.
