“Lorenzo—”
I shake my head. “Look, I’m sorry for the constant phone calls, texts, and blowing up your phone these past couple of weeks. I’m sorry for not giving up. I’m sorry for coming into your life if all you ever wanted was solace, without me bringing my crazy world into yours.”
“No, please don’t say that. I—”
“Please let me finish.”
She nods.
“I’m not giving up, Carissa, and guess what? I’m not sorry for fighting for someone I care so deeply about, someone I love. Yes, I love you, and I don’t care if I’m crazy or whatever anyone else thinks because it happened so fast. I truly fucking love you, and I’ll be damned if I give up now. I’m a fighter, and fighters don’t quit.”
She nods again, closing her eyes as a tear falls onto her cheek. I reach out and wipe at it with my hand, and she leans into it. She opens her eyes again.
I smile at her and continue. “Let me tell you what else I’m not sorry about. I’m not sorry for placing my lips on you that night and tasting the sweet candy cane sugar on your luscious lips.”
She blushes, but I’m going to keep going because it’s now or never.
“I’m not sorry for taking you into my arms and holding you tight. I’m not sorry for spending a magical evening with you and bringing your body to life.”
“Lorenzo…” she whispers, looking around with her cheeks all flushed.
I smile at her, but I need to finish the rest of what I have to tell her. “Most of all, the one important thing I don’t regret and am one hundred and fifty fucking percent not sorry about is finding you and realizing what an amazing fucking woman you are. I’m not sorry you saved me from the depression and the sorrow of my miserable life. I died a long time ago when I lost my wife, but you, you brought me back to life, and even if you don’t forgive me now or want to be with me, I’m thankful you saved me. You saved me and made me realize this is worth fighting for. You are worth fighting for. I’m a UFC fighter. I’m used to fighting for what I want and, now, fighting for who I want. And I want you. You’re worth fighting for, and I’m not backing down. I want this, and I want you. You’re worth it. We’re both worth it, and we owe this to ourselves. Please, don’t walk away from this. Please give us a chance. I love you.”
Her expression turns serious as she considers my words. I can tell she’s unsure, but as she rises from her seat, I can already feel my heart start to sink.
I poured my heart out to her, placed all my cards on the table, yet they weren’t enough. She’s walking away from me.
I hang my head down. Maybe this is a fight I’m just not going to win. Maybe this is the one time I need to throw in the towel and realize I’m not undefeated anymore.
“Lorenzo…”
I hear her voice calling out to me, but she’s closer this time.
I lift my gaze from the ground and see her standing in front of me. She hasn’t left. She’s still here.
“Carissa, you’re still here.”
She moves in closer and places herself in between my legs. I reach out and put my hands on her waist. She smiles her pretty smile at me, and my heart melts. My stomach knots with anxiety at the anticipation of not knowing what she’s going to say next.
She nods. “I’m still here, and I’m not going anywhere. I want to be in the ring and fight. I want to fight for this but not against you. I want to fight with you and be on your side. I’m willing to fight with you if you are too. I love you so much. I don’t want to let go—lose this… lose you.”
I am up on my feet the second those words leave her lips. I’m so happy she feels this way because it’s all I’ve wanted. I lift her off her toes and kiss her as though my life depends on it.
Because it does.
She does.
As we kiss, I hear Marianna, Max, Shannon, Emerson, and now even Ryker cheering for us. When then hell did he get here?
I bring Carissa down but keep her in my embrace. The two of us chuckle as we watch our friends coming toward us with the owner of the bar, Gage, carrying bottles of champagne and flutes. Gage has always been pretty cool, and it looks like they were all in on this and we’re gonna celebrate getting back together.
This is definitely something worth celebrating.
As our friends fill our glasses and raise a toast in our names, my heart feels full, and I’m finally at peace after so many years of loneliness and heartache.
I know this is going to be a lot of work. I know it’s not going to be easy, but I’m ready. I’m ready for the challenge, and I’m willing to do what I need to do to show Carissa how much I’m in this for the long haul. I’m in this for life, willing to fight for us.
Afterword