“Don’t be sad, Lamb. Tris isn’t. And he wouldn’t want either of us to pity him.”
“Tris isn’t here.”
He wraps me in his arms and kisses my forehead. “No, he isn’t.”
“It’s going to be okay. Miracles happen.”
He lets go of me and says softly, “Just look at us.”
I give him a gentle smile. “Yeah.”
“If Tristan were here, he’d tell us to stop moping and go pack for LA.” He nods toward the bedroom. “Want to get started?”
“Can I bring my wine?”
“It’s your house.”
I smile and lead the way to the bedroom. “I wonder what LA is like in December? They must have the best Christmas lights with all the rich celebrities that live here,” I say wistfully.
“I’ve never been in December, but I imagine the Christmas lights are pretty good.”
“Maybe when we get home, we can put some up here…outside on the balcony? And…I was thinking it might be fun to put up a Christmas tree and celebrate our first Christmas together.”
“Okay.” He smiles. “I’d like that.”
I grab my notepad off the nightstand and scribble down xmas tree and lights.
“What else is on your list?” He looks over my shoulder and reads aloud, “Tampons.”
“Sexy, I know. But it’s reality. And I should be starting any day now, so this little honeymoon of ours is going to have to go on hiatus. Just in time for your pre-fight celibacy rule to take effect.”
“Well, you see, that’s not until tomorrow. Tonight, I’m all yours.”
I fight a smile and shrug casually. “Good to know.”
Chapter 8
Lucy
You ready?” Miles asks me as we pull up to the Staples Center in LA.
Although we’ve arrived at a back entrance of the arena, the SUV is surrounded before the driver even puts it in park. There were paparazzi at the hotel too, but only a few. Not like this.
“No.”
“Okay, we can wait a minute, we have time.”
“They’re everywhere,” I say, glancing up at the tinted windows.
“Look, Grady’s gonna get out of the front seat first. He’ll open your door and keep them all back while we walk in.”
“I won’t let anybody touch you, Lucy,” Grady says in a gravelly voice that resonates from somewhere deep inside his barrel chest.
“Okay.” I tug on the hem of my lacy long-sleeved cocktail dress where it hugs my thighs. Sebastian chose the merlot color for the holiday season. I wish he was here. Note to self: Add “Must attend all boxing matches with Lucy” to his job description. Not sure how Paul will feel about that amendment.
“You look beautiful, Lucy. Just breathe,” Miles says calmly.
I inhale a deep breath through my mouth and blow it out slowly.
“They’re going to fire questions at you about Sam. Don’t answer any of them. Just smile and walk to the door. Okay?”
I bob my head, but I don’t move. I can’t.
“We have to get out now.”
“What if I trip? I’m nervous. I shouldn’t have worn these shoes,” I say, glancing down at the shimmery gold stilettos on my feet.
“I’ll be right behind you. I won’t let you trip.” Miles says.
“Lucy, I’m going to get out now and open your door. Okay?”
“Okay.”
Grady gets out and opens my door, and I’m flooded with unfamiliar faces and flashing lights.
Lucy, how’s the baby?…Did you set a date for the wedding?…Over here!
I smile and focus on putting one high heel in front of the other, until I’m on the other side of the arena door, which Grady quickly closes behind us.
Miles looks at me and smiles. “See. You did it.”
I nod and blow out a breath.
“You’re not gonna throw up are you? You look a little pale.”
“No.” I roll my eyes. “I don’t think so. I actually do feel a little queasy. I may have to resort to watching Sam’s matches on TV. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that.”
He laughs. “Come on, Sam’s around the corner.”
A wave of relief washes over me, reminding me that Sam is worth the media mayhem.
I follow Miles down a long cinder-block hallway that’s peppered with arena staff who are far too busy to pay any attention to me. He takes me into a dressing room that’s filled with faces I recognize from the Quebec fight. Sam is sitting in a chair in the middle of them all, bobbing his head to the beat of whatever rap song is blaring through his headphones. I’m not sure who they all are or what exactly each of them do, but one of them is wrapping Sam’s hands in white gauze and tape while another suited man is marking them up with a black marker. Sam seems oblivious.
I watch intently as they pull his gloves on and lace them up under the watchful eyes of the man I assume is the commissioner. He turns Sam’s gloves over and inspects them, before giving his nod of approval and shaking Joe’s hand.
I stand against the wall across the room, waiting for the commissioner to leave, but Sam notices me and stands up. He pushes his headphones off his ears and walks over to me. “Give us a minute,” he says to his team, and they migrate to an adjoining room.
The determined look of a warrior slides off his face and his dimples make an appearance as he drops his eyes over me. “You look incredible,” he says, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“Do they always do what you tell them to?”
“When it comes to you.”
I run my hands over his shoulders. “Good to know.”
“How was the ride in?”
“Fine. Did you know that I’m pregnant?”
“Is that so?”
“Mm-hmm. The paparazzi outside told me.”
“Is it a boy or a girl?”
“Probably an alien.”
“Well, as long as it’s healthy.”
“We’re getting married too. Soon, I think.”
“So you said yes then?”
I smile and put my hand on his scruffy cheek. “It’s never even been a question.”
“Luc, I know you didn’t ask for all this, but I’m so proud to show you to the world. Thanks for being here tonight.”
“There’s no place on earth I’d rather be.”
“Sam, we’ve got to go,” Joe says, leading the rest of his team back into the room. He smiles at me and opens his arms. “Hey, Luc. You look great.”
“Hey, Joe.” I wrap my arms around him and give him a quick hug. “Thanks.”
“Okay, quick introductions.” He points to each person in the room and recites their names, “Leon, Mikey, Jordon, Will, and you know Tristan.”
Tris winks at me and I smile at him over the tugging I feel in my heart.
“Fellas, this is Lucy.”
They all smile and say hello over each other.
“Hey guys. It’s nice to meet you all, officially.”
“Lucy, come with me,” Miles says. “We’ll go take our seats while they finish up.”