Chapter 7 - The Man Who Chose Her
One year later, Emily stood in the same restaurant.
The same chandeliers glittered overhead.
The same marble floor reflected the candlelight.
But everything else had changed.
Emily no longer worked there.
Six months earlier, she had opened a small café with Diane.
Vincent had offered to invest.
Emily refused.
He respected the answer.
Instead, he became their most loyal customer.
Tonight was the restaurant’s anniversary gala.
Emily wore a dark green dress.
Vincent stood beside her in black.
His tattooed hand rested lightly against her back.
“People are staring,” Emily whispered.
“They usually do.”
“They’re staring at me.”
“Understandable.”
She gave him a look.
“You’ve gotten smoother.”
“I practice.”
A familiar voice interrupted.
“Emily.”
She turned.
Tyler stood several feet away.
Alone.
He looked different.
Less arrogant.
More tired.
Vincent’s hand remained where it was.
Emily touched his wrist.
“It’s okay.”
Tyler approached.
“I wanted to say something.”
Emily waited.
“I was cruel to you.”
Vincent’s jaw tightened.
Emily glanced at him.
He remained silent.
Tyler continued.
“I spent a long time blaming you because admitting what I did meant admitting what kind of man I was.”
Emily nodded.
“I’m sorry.”
She studied him.
A year ago, those words would have meant everything.
Now they were simply words.
“I hope you mean that.”
“I do.”
“I forgive you.”
Tyler looked surprised.
Vincent did too.
Emily continued.
“But forgiveness doesn’t mean you get a place in my life again.”
Tyler nodded.
“I understand.”
He walked away.
Vincent looked at her.
“You forgive easily.”
“No.”
Emily slipped her hand into his.
“I just don’t want to carry him anymore.”
Vincent nodded.
“That makes sense.”
The orchestra changed songs.
Emily smiled.
“Dance with me.”
“I don’t dance.”
“You run half of Chicago.”
“That requires fewer coordinated movements.”
She pulled him toward the floor.
“Come on.”
“Emily.”
“Vincent.”
He surrendered.
They joined the other couples.
His hand settled at her waist.
“You’re staring again,” she said.
“I’m allowed now.”
“Were you really watching me for eleven months?”
“Yes.”
“That’s still a little creepy.”
“I know.”
Emily smiled.
“Tell me something.”
“What?”
“That night.”
Vincent’s expression softened.
“What about it?”
“If Tyler hadn’t said what he said, would you ever have approached me?”
Vincent thought for a moment.
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Eventually.”
“How eventually?”
“Within another six to twelve months.”
Emily laughed.
“You’re impossible.”
“I’m cautious.”
“You’re a coward.”
“Only with you.”
That stopped her.
Vincent reached into his jacket.
Emily immediately noticed.
“Vincent.”
He stepped back.
The people around them began turning.
Her eyes widened.
“Don’t you dare.”
He lowered himself onto one knee.
The room erupted.
Emily covered her mouth.
Vincent held a small ring box.
“I had an entire speech.”
“Had?”
“I’ve forgotten it.”
She laughed through sudden tears.
“So improvise.”
Vincent looked up at her.
The feared man whose name could silence rooms suddenly looked almost nervous.
“Emily Carter, you were never difficult to love.”
Her smile disappeared.
“You were surrounded by people who benefited from convincing you otherwise.”
Tears filled her eyes.
Vincent continued.
“You don’t need me to defend you.”
His voice lowered.
“You proved that yourself.”
He opened the box.
“But if you’ll let me, I’d like to stand beside you for everything that comes next.”
Emily wiped her cheek.
“Is there a question coming?”
Laughter moved through the room.
Vincent smiled.
“Marry me.”
Emily looked around.
A year earlier, she had stood in this room gripping a tray while strangers laughed at her.
She had believed their laughter confirmed everything Tyler had taught her to believe.
Too ordinary.
Too heavy.
Too difficult.
Impossible to choose.
Now she understood something she wished she had understood years earlier.
Her worth had never changed.
Only the person measuring it had.
Emily looked down at Vincent.
“Yes.”
Applause exploded.
Vincent stood.
He slipped the ring onto her finger.
Then paused.
“May I?”
Emily laughed.
“You’re asking permission now?”
“I learned.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Yes.”
Vincent kissed her.
The restaurant cheered.
Somewhere nearby, phones were recording again.
This time Emily didn’t care.
She pulled back slightly.
“Vincent?”
“Yes?”
“Remember the first night?”
“Every second.”
“Tyler asked who could ever choose me.”
Vincent touched his forehead to hers.
“I remember.”
Emily smiled.
“And you answered him.”
“No.”
She frowned.
Vincent brushed his thumb across her cheek.
“I answered you.”
Her eyes softened.
“What did you say?”
Vincent smiled.
“The same thing I’m saying now.”
He kissed her forehead.
“I choose you.”
And this time, Emily believed him.
May you like
More importantly—
she finally believed she had always been worth choosing.
