Then Came You ; Written with Love Page 31

  “Ma’am, do you know how fast you were traveling?”

  “I...um...seventy...two.”

  An unintended snicker escaped Gregor, prompting Zahra to give him the evil eye. The trooper’s lips twitched as if he were attempting to hold back a laugh. “Eighty-seven, ma’am.”

  “Eighty-seven,” Zahra said calmly, her posture slumping a bit. “Huh.”

  “May I see your license and registration, please,” the trooper said.

  “Um, sure.”

  While Zahra rummaged through the suitcase she called a purse, Gregor cautiously reached into the glove box, retrieved the registration and passed it to the trooper.

  “I know I have it,” Zahra said, still searching.

  The man’s gaze rose and settled on Gregor. There it was. Recognition. Sometimes, one of the privileges of being a well-known athlete was people made exceptions for you as well as for the ones around you. Zahra might just get off easy, after all.

  “Caught a clip of you guys during OTAs last week,” the trooper said, passing the card back. “Looking good.”

  “Thanks,” Gregor said, accepting the registration.

  “You two enjoy the rest of your afternoon. And slow down, ma’am,” he said, tipping his hat again, then returning to his vehicle.

  “What just happened?” Zahra asked, finally locating her license.

  “Welcome to my world,” Gregor said. “Now move out the way, woman. I’m driving.”

  A short time later, they pulled into a mile-long driveway lined with trees. They stopped in front of a two-story brick home, sitting on what had to be at least ten acres of the lushest, greenest land he’d ever seen. It was gorgeous. And peaceful. No honking horns. No roaring traffic. No hustle and bustle. All of which reminded him of Lake Lamont. Where it all began.

  Parking next to a small white SUV hybrid, Gregor inhaled a deep breath. Why did it feel as if he were about to play the most intense game of his life? Because he was in a way.

  A thousand questions flooded him. Had her parents already formed an opinion about him from the images they’d seen on TV? Would her mother like him? Would her father hate him because he was an athlete?

  He hadn’t realized that he’d been bouncing his leg hard enough to shake the car until Zahra rested a hand on his thigh.

  “You okay?” she asked.

  Gregor huddled his thoughts, focused on the end zone and scoring the goal of a lifetime. “Perfect.”

  “Gregor freaking Carter nervous sounds like an oxymoron,” she said.

  “I’m not nervous. I’m...” His words dried up. “Okay, I’m a little nervous.” But not for the reason she probably assumed.

  Zahra rested a hand on the side of his face. “You have absolutely nothing to worry about. They’re going to love you almost as much as I do,” she said with a gentle smile.

  Leaning over, he kissed her gently on the lips. He’d wanted more of her mouth but couldn’t chance that her parents were watching from inside the home.

  On the walk up to the house, Zahra explained that her father wasn’t coping well with his recent retirement as CEO/EVP of an insurance company. That he’d dabbled in numerous hobbies, the most recent being making custom fishing lures. She pressed the bell and a short time later a petite, wrinkle-free, brown-skinned woman opened the door. This had to be Zahra’s mother. Their resemblance was uncanny. Her shoulder-length hair pulled back into a ponytail was peppered with gray.

  “Hi, Mom.”

  “Hi, sweetheart. I’m so glad you made it here safely. Come inside.”

  Inside the Hart home was just as welcoming as the outside. The tantalizing aromas of onions, fresh bread and cinnamon greeted them the second they strolled through the door. Gregor’s stomach instantly reacted, growling its desire to devour whatever was being prepared in the kitchen.

  Zahra wrapped her arms around her mother in an affectionate embrace. When they parted, Zahra said, “I want you to meet someone. Mom, Gregor Carter. Gregor, my mom, Carolyn Hart.”

  Gregor stuck out his hand. “Mrs. Hart, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

  Carolyn swatted his hand. “Put that away and come over here and give me a hug.”

  She delivered the same amount of motherly warmth to him as she had to Zahra.

  Pulling away, Carolyn said, “Welcome to our home. You’re not a guest here.” She patted his cheek. “You’re family. You’re welcomed to anything here.”

  “Thank you,” he said, emotion swirling in his chest. He loved Mrs. Hart already.

  “Where’s Dad?” Zahra asked.

  Carolyn rolled her eyes heavenward. “In his study working on those dang lures. We’re going to blow through our retirement on his hobbies. Last month it was home-brewed beer. The month before that it was knife-making. Now lures. He doesn’t even fish. If that man doesn’t pick one and stick to it, I’m going to scream.”

  “Ava hasn’t made it yet?” Zahra asked.

  Carolyn put her hand on her tiny waist. “When have you known your sister to be on time?”

  “Good point.”

  Excusing them, Zahra took Gregor’s hand and led him down a hallway. The walls were smothered with pictures that seemed to catalog decades. He was drawn to the images, stopping to inspect several of them more thoroughly. The backstory Zahra provided on several of them made him laugh.

  “Memories,” he said absently.

  Zahra ironed her hand up and down his back. “We’ll make memories, too,” she said.

  Gregor couldn’t resist pulling Zahra into his arms and kissing her hard. If one of her parents had walked out, he would have simply had to explain to them that their daughter always knew what to say and exactly when to say it. Pulling away, he stared into her eyes. “I love you, woman.”

  “I love you, man.”

  When they entered the large study, Zahra’s father was bent over a desk, intricately working on something. Al Green poured from the speakers.

  Zahra snuck up behind him and covered his eyes with her hands. “Guess who?”

  “My heartbeat number two,” her father said, dropping what he’d been working on to greet his daughter with a bear hug.

  At full height, he towered over Zahra. The tall, solid man could have been a linebacker.

  “Daddy, I’d like you to meet someone special,” Zahra said.

  When Mr. Hart’s eyes settled on Gregor, his expression morphed from soft to stern. Gregor swallowed hard. Uh-oh.

  “No introduction necessary. Gregor Carter. Best QB in Thoroughbreds’ history. Don’t ever let anyone tell you different.” Mr. Hart offered his hand. “Montgomery Hart.”

  Some of Gregor’s unease lessened. He shook his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

  Mr. Hart folded his large arms over his chest and studied Gregor. “I’ve got one question for you, son.”

  Gregor was sure it had something to do with their blown chance at the Super Bowl. “Okay.”

  A second or two ticked by. “What in the hell are you doing in my house?”

  That he hadn’t expected. Gregor’s eyes slid to Zahra, who surprisingly looked as if she waited for the answer, too. Refocusing on Mr. Hart, Gregor parted his lips to speak but was cut short by Mr. Hart’s hearty laughter.

  “I’m only messing with you.”

  When he clapped him on the back, Gregor released the breath he’d been strangling. Zahra snickered, obviously aware her father was pranking him.

  “Welcome to our humble abode. Make yourself at home. Once you taste my Carolyn’s cooking, you’re going to want to stay forever. But you got to get the hell up outta here.”

  “Daddy.”

  “Okay, okay. I’ll behave. Where’s your sister?”

  Before Zahra could respond, Ava strolled through the door, greeting everyone in her usual boisterous manner.


  Zahra neared Gregor. “Will you be okay here for a moment? I need to chat with Ava.”

  “Everything okay?” Gregor asked.

  She smiled. “Yes.”

  “Okay. Yeah. Sure. I’ll be fine.” He hoped.

  A second later, the women were gone.

  “Have a seat,” Mr. Hart said, then moved to the small bar in the corner, removing two glasses. “You drink bourbon?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Good.” Mr. Hart filled two glasses and passed one to Gregor.

  “Thank you,” he said, accepting it.

  Mr. Hart eased into one of the chairs adjacent to Gregor, crossed his ankle over his thigh and relaxed against the cushioned back. “I’m guessing Zahra left us here together to get to know each other. So, tell me something good.”

  This was his moment. The opportunity he’d prepped for ever since he’d known he’d be meeting Zahra’s parents. He considered taking a sip from his glass but decided he didn’t need it. All the courage he needed was housed in how much he loved Zahra. “I’d like permission to marry your daughter.”

  Chapter 20

  Zahra glanced at Gregor in the driver’s seat. When he regarded her, she flashed a lazy smile. Something was up with him, but she didn’t know what. He hadn’t spoken ten words since they’d left her parents’ place almost an hour ago. In fact, she’d noticed a shift in his demeanor just after he and her father had emerged from the study.

  Through dinner, he’d socialized but had seemed preoccupied with his own thoughts. Had her father offended him in some way? Oh, Daddy, what did you say?

  Montgomery Hart was a fierce protector of his heartbeats—as he called his wife and daughters—so there was no telling what he’d put Gregor through. Well, Gregor hadn’t run screaming out of the house, so that had to be a good sign. Right?

  She hadn’t sensed or felt any tension between the two. Not like there had been with Braswell and her father. That had been the longest and most uncomfortable two hours of her life. Maybe it wasn’t anything her father had said at all. Maybe Gregor’s shift had something to do with the phone call he’d taken in the bathroom.

  She’d gone to check on him and heard chatter over the sound of running water. While she hadn’t been able to hear what was being said, she’d asked him about it. He’d said it had been about football stuff. Specifically, the approaching start of minicamp.

  She reached over and touched his arms. He flinched. “Hey. Everything okay?”

  Gregor gave her a half smile. “Yes.”

  “Are you okay? You’ve been awfully quiet since we left my parents’ place.”

  “I think I ate too much. Your mom can throw down in the kitchen. Now I see where you get it from.”

  Okay, now she knew something was wrong, because he hadn’t come close to putting away the amount of food he usually consumed. At the time she’d chalked it up to him not wanting them to witness his ferocious appetite.

  Moments later, they pulled into one of Gregor’s parking spaces.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Zahra asked when he shifted the car into Park.

  “Come here,” he said, leaning into her. After placing a gentle kiss on her lips, he said, “Anytime I’m with you, I’m perfect.”

  He got out and came around to open her door. Hand in hand, they moved toward the elevator. Inside, Gregor hugged her to his chest as they rode the metal box up in silence. Gregor’s heartbeat thumped against her breast as if he’d climbed several flights of stairs.

  When they reached his condo, Gregor stepped aside to allow her to enter, popping her butt as she walked by. “Ow,” she said.

  Zahra stopped dead in her tracks, gasping at the sight in front of her. Several vases of red roses were placed around the room. Thousands of fresh rose petals littered the floor. Hundreds of candles flickered. Turning, she said, “Gregor, what—”

  Her purse fell from her grip. She slapped a hand over her mouth and stumbled back several steps. Her brain quickly processed Gregor down on one knee, holding a burgundy ring box that held the most beautiful diamond solitaire she’d ever seen. A thousand and one emotions swirled inside her. The most potent being shock. Utter and complete.

  Gregor motioned her over, then captured her trembling hand. “Baby, I know we’ve only been together a short time, but it feels like you’ve been mine a lifetime. I’ve never been so comfortable with anyone in my life. I’ve never felt so connected to anyone in my life.”

  Zahra tried to speak, but nothing would come out.

  “I never have to pretend with you. You love me just the way I am, flaws and all. I knew I would fall in love with you, Zahra. I just never could have imagined how much. Everything I never knew I needed, I’ve found in you. And I want to spend the rest of my life experiencing this level of happiness. Making beautiful memories with you. Building a life, a family with you. Insanely loving you. I want to grow old with you. So, Zahra Antoinette Hart, will you marry me?”

  “Are you sure, Gregor? You seemed so tortured on the drive here. Are you sure this is what you really want?”

  Gregor placed the ring box on the floor, stood and cradled her face between his hands. “I wasn’t tortured. I was anxious. I needed everything to be perfect. You deserve flawless. I am sure, Zahra. A hundred and fifty percent. And that’s exactly what I told your father earlier when I asked for your hand.”

  Stunned again, she said, “You asked Daddy for my hand?”

  He gave her a sexy grin. “It was the gentlemanly thing to do. Plus, I know how much you love your father and would want his blessing.”

  She fell in love with him all over again.

  “When I asked your father for your hand,” he continued, “he asked me why I thought I deserved you.” He paused. “I told him that I wasn’t sure I do deserve you. And that nothing in my life had ever been easy, except for loving you.”

  Gregor continued schooling her on all of the beautiful things he’d said to her father, her heart swelling more and more with each declaration. By the time he was done, she was a blubbering mess.

  “You brought me out of a dark place, Zahra, and I’ve been following your guiding light ever since. You’re my strength, my serenity. Because of you, I believe in happily-ever-after. So...” He lowered himself to one knee again. “Will you marry me and make me the happiest man on this planet?”

  Zahra nodded clumsily. “Yes.”

  * * *

  Zahra wasn’t sure what she’d been thinking when she’d asked Gregor if she could join him on his Saturday morning run. Actually, she did. She’d been thinking about the twenty pounds she wanted to lose before the wedding. Those pesky pounds didn’t seem so relevant now, because she was sure she was about to die.

  Winded, she asked, “How many miles have we gone?”

  Gregor stopped, prompting her to do the same. When he turned, so did she.

  “Well, we’ve made it across the street from the condo. So, point one miles, maybe?”

  “Ha ha,” she said at his glaring attempt at humor.

  “You ready?” he asked, jogging in place.

  “No.” She rotated her ankle. “I think I have on the wrong type of shoes.”

  Zahra held her amusement when Gregor’s eyes lowered to the pricey sneakers he’d purchased, specifically designed for running.

  “Maybe you have them laced wrong.”

  See, that was one of the millions of reasons why she loved him. He chose to spare her feelings by not stating the obvious. That she was lazy. Zahra pointed over her shoulder. “I’m going to head back to check these laces.” She tried not to react when Gregor attempted to harness his laughter.

  “Okay, babe.” He leaned in to give her a kiss.

  “Get a room,” came from a passing car.

  They both laughed.

  Pulling away, Gregor said, “Can you make it
, or do I need to put you on my back and carry you?”

  With animated anger, she jabbed her finger in the opposite direction of the condo. “Go!” He grinned, then took off. The sight of his strong legs as he pounded the pavement sent a shiver up her spine. Every inch of his body turned her on.

  Zahra did a leisurely stroll back. This experience had taught her two things: losing twenty pounds by their March wedding date—eight months away—wasn’t really all that important, and that she preferred cake over running.

  Digging into the stylish fanny pack Gregor had clowned her about, she pushed aside the bottle of water, her cell phone, the pen and paper, and removed the dark chocolate and banana fruit bar. One serving of fruit. Healthy eating. She just might lose that twenty pounds, after all.

  Before she could tear into the wrapper, her cell phone rang. Fishing it out, her brow furrowed. A line of zeroes was all that showed. Making the call active, she said, “Hello?” She repeated it when there wasn’t a response. A second later, the line went dead.

  Several minutes later, the phone rang a second time. The same string of zeroes crossed the screen. This time her greeting was a bit harsher. “Hello! Who is this?”

  “Good day, ma’am. I am Abayomi Adbu Awolowa,” the caller said in accented English, “and I am calling to let you know you have won an all-expenses paid five days, four nights luxury vacation to any destination in the world.”

  “Really?” she said, entertaining the enthusiastic scammer.

  “Oh, yes. Yes.”

  “Oh. My. God. I am sooo excited. You know what, Abayomi? I think I’d like to take you on vacation with me.”

  “Me, ma’am?” His words dripped with confusion.

  “Absolutely. You sound like a very intelligent man. And you obviously have a job. Two things I’m looking for in a husband and father for my eight kids. How much money do you have in the bank, Abayomi?”

  “Umm, not much, ma’am.”

  “That’s okay. When you move to be with me, you can get a second and third job to take care of your new family. When will you be able to come and—”

  Click.

  “How rude,” she said, then cracked up at her antics.