The guys keep knocking on my door congratulating me and plying me with champagne. I finally have to close and lock my door so I can get ready to meet Lainey and her friends. I take a quick shower and decide on a nice pair of jeans and a collared shirt. I throw on a black blazer and head to the hotel where Lainey is staying.
Even though we are engaged, I realize this is our first real date and the first time I will be meeting her friends. I suddenly start sweating. Why am I panicking? Is it because I feel like I need to impress her and her friends and I have no idea how to do that? I've never really dated anyone. It's always been quick flings or one-night stands. A relationship is totally new for me. How can this woman want to marry me?
I stop and buy the largest bouquet of flowers I can find and I pick up a box of chocolates too. I know it's predictable but it's worked for men for ages. I'll do anything at this point. I arrive at Lainey's hotel and I'm practically hyperventilating. I ask the front desk clerk for some water and he points me in the direction of the water with cucumber and lemon in the lobby. I practically run to it and see they only have the tiny little paper cups. That's not going to do much. I toss back about twenty of them.
"Are you okay sir? Can I bring you a real glass?"
I look up and the front desk clerk looks concerned.
"I'm fine. I'm just meeting a friend. I'll go find her now." I toss the tiny paper cup in my hand in the trash.
"Okay, let us know if you need anything else sir."
"I will, thank you."
I leave and get to the elevator and press her floor. When the elevator dings, I almost don't get off. I finally do and then I turn to get back on the elevator and then I get off again. I walk determined to Lainey's door and I knock loud so she knows I'm there and I can't wimp out and run away.
Lainey opens the door and at that moment, I realize why I'm so nervous. She's stunning. Why the hell is this beautiful woman with me?
I stand at the door and I don't move.
"Cory, are you okay? Why are you just standing there?" Lainey reaches out and pulls me inside. "Are the flowers and chocolates for me?"
I finally find my words.
"Yes, these are for you. Sorry, I'm a bit nervous," I put them down on the nearby table.
"You're nervous? You're the most confident person I know."
"And around you I'm having anxiety attacks. You blow me away. You look amazing." I reach up and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. And that's when I see she's wearing the half gold heart necklace. I reach out and touch it.
"You're wearing it," I say.
Lainey looks down at the necklace. "I wear it every day."
I unbutton my shirt to reveal the other half of the heart. "We have something in common."
She reaches out and touches mine. "I'm so sorry Cory that I pushed you away."
I get up the nerve to ask her, "Why didn't you call?"
"I know I owe you an explanation. I'll be honest that I'm not completely sure I understand it myself. I wanted to call you, many times. And I almost did but each time, there was something nagging inside me that was keeping me from calling you. I know that I was ashamed about what I did on the mountain – not listening to you when you said to slow down. And then I saw you putting your life on hold for me and I just couldn't let you do that."
"I wanted to be there for you. I wish you would have let me."
"I know. Can you forgive me?"
"There's nothing to forgive. We have both done things to each other we wish we hadn't. What's important is that we found each other again. You're absolutely beautiful. Can I kiss you?"
She says yes with her eyes and I sweep her up in my arms and kiss her tenderly.
Finally, she pulls away, "We should go or we're never going to leave this room."
"That wouldn't be so bad would it?" I smile.
"No it wouldn't, but we're going. I need to make my friend's jealous of my super hot fiancé. And then we can come back here and stay up all night...long... How does that sound?" She leans in and kisses me passionately.
"Sounds like...I can't wait to come back here."
YOU ARE READING
Olympic Conquest
Romance"You already are the person I want you to be. I see so much more in you that you won't allow yourself to see." Lainey is on her way to her first and probably only Olympics. At twenty-two, she has finally made the U.S. Figure Skating Team after yea...
