Infinity & Always (21 page)

I
dial my dad and leave him a message to call me back. Walking down to
the bedroom I school my face and pout a little. Knox is still on the
phone, so I climb onto the bed beside him. He gives me a questioning
look and I just pout more, while my inner kid giggles and dances
around.

“Okay
what’s going on?” he asks, when he hangs up.

“June
of this year is all booked up. You have to book at least a year in
advance,” I tell him sighing for emphasis.

“Shit,
sorry darlin’. I didn’t mean to get your hopes up. We
will do it next year then.”

Lifting
my head, I look into his emerald eyes. “Why next year when we
got the end of July?”

It
takes him a minute to catch up and they he grabs me crushing my bones
in his arms. He kisses all over my face, climbing off the bed, he
swings me around again.

“This
is fantastic,” he breathes, letting me down.

“Yes,
it is,” I tell him about the appointment for next week and we
have to organize dresses and tuxedos.

“You’re
going to be beautiful darlin’,” he smiles at me with that
look of love in his eyes. He traces the side of my face with his
finger and over my lips, “I can’t wait,” he
whispers.

“Me
neither.”

Honestly I can’t, I’ve been thinking of reason after
reason to put it off, but now that we have the hotel semi-booked I am
starting to get excited. Knox heads off for a shower and I stare out
of the window. It’s crazy to think that a few weeks ago it felt
like everything was falling apart, but now it seems to be falling
into place. My eyes drift over the parking lot, stopping on Max and
Paige. They look like they are talking and laughing. Wow, I’m
not sure if I’m more shocked or worried, for both of them.

Knox
finishes his shower and walks back into the room. When I turn around
I frown at the marks on his face, they seem much more pronounced now.

“Don’t
worry darlin’, everything is good.”

“I
know, I just don’t like seeing you, and Max be angry with each
other. It goes against the laws of nature.”

He
chuckles at me. “The laws of nature huh, well then be pleased
to know all is well,” he winks pulling on a pair of black jeans
and black t-shirt.

“Where
are you going?”

“I
have to open the bar darlin’, it’s my night.”

I
forgot all about that, the night sharing of the bar. Sometimes, I
wish it were like the old days. Sighing I join him on the bed as he
pulls on his boots. I run my fingers through his wet hair and get a
soft groan from him.

“How’s
the head babe?”

“It’s
okay, I think I’ll take a trip to the doctor though, see if I
can different medication.”

“Okay,
I can come with you if you like.”

Turning,
he kisses me quickly then knocks me back onto the bed for a more
passionate kiss.

“I
can’t wait to make you my wife.”

His
smile reaches his eyes and he kisses me again, all over my face and
neck while tickling me.

“Okay,
stop babe,” I laugh, trying to push him up, “please or I
won’t come over to visit you tonight.”

He
stops tickling me and helps me up, we kiss all the way to the front
door where we find Max standing on the other side. They greet each
other as usual then Knox leaves for work. Max gives me his cheeky
grin as he passes me and I follow him to the sitting room.

“What’s
the smile for mister?”

“Can’t
a guy smile at his brother’s girl?”

“Eh,
no, spill it, Max.”

He
laughs at me and shrugs his shoulders, “Nothing to tell sis.
just had a good day is all.”

“Oh
and would this good day be involving a certain someone?” I ask,
taking a seat beside him.

Max
grins at me, “We’re just friends Bailey, at least we are
talking and not killing each other.”

“True,
so are you going to tell me what happened with you and your brother?”

“Nope,
sorry,” he answers, slapping my leg on his way up off the
couch.

I’ve
decided not to push the issue and leave them at it if they want to
tell me they will. Max and I have dinner before I go over to the bar,
when I arrive it’s fairly quiet.

“Hey,
babe.”

Knox
gives me a smile from behind the bar as he watches me move around it
and towards him. I kiss him, then hand over his dinner.

“Thanks,
darlin’. I’m starving.”

I
man the bar while he eats, the most I can do is open a beer and pour
a simple mixed drink but I never really have to. When Knox is
finished, he joins me back behind the bar.

“So
what type of food are we thinking about?”

My
eyebrows furrow at him and he laughs, “For the wedding.”

“Oh,
okay, I’m not sure babe. We will have to wait and see what they
can do for us.”

Knox
rests his hands on the bar behind him and looks at me thoughtfully
for a few minutes. He stands up abruptly and makes me a drink,
putting it down on the bar he leans down on one elbow so he can look
out over the room.

“What
do you want to do about music?”

“Don’t
know babe, I haven’t even thought that far ahead,” I give
him a smile and get one in return.

“We’re
really doing this, right?” he looks at me slightly worried.

“Yes
Knox, we really are,” leaning closer I kiss his cheek.

With
nothing else to do tonight, I hang out in the bar with Knox, a few
more people have come in so he is moving around now. After ten, Max
and Paige walk through the door. Knox smirks at Max and says hello to
them.

“Hey,”
Paige greets me with a hug.

“Hey,
what are you two doing in here?” I ask, looking between them.

“Just
fancied a drink,” she answers.

Max
strolls behind the bar and has a few words with Knox. He makes
himself, and Paige a drink. Knox pulls me out back after a few
minutes and asks if we can tell them. I laugh at him and agree, when
we come back, I sit down and wink at him.

“Okay,”
he starts and rubs his hands together, “Bailey and I have some
news…”

Max
chokes on his beer and looks at me with huge eyes, laughing I shake
my head no and Knox continues.

“No
dumbass, she’s not pregnant. We set a date for the wedding.”

He
smiles proudly at me. Max grabs him in a hug and they have a
brotherly few minutes while Paige grips my arm so hard her nails
leave indentations.

“Oh
My God! That is awesome, when?” she screams.

I
fill them in on the details so far and Knox asks Max to be his best
man. I swear I saw a tear roll down Max’s cheek. We have a
toast to celebrate and my eyes find Knox’s. He is looking at me
in that way he does, the way that makes my heart race and my legs
turn to jelly. I can feel myself turn to mush under his stare, but I
don’t care. I love being this way with him.

In
two strides, he is beside me cupping my face in his hands telling me
he loves me with such determination that I can’t fathom ever
doubting him.

“I
love you too, Knox.”

My
words are barely a whisper as they pass my lips before he takes them
with his own. I’m lost in his kiss, the world my brain travels
to, has no gravity. I’m floating – I’m flying and I
don’t want to come down. Knox breaks the kiss leaving me
crashing back to earth, my chest rises with each breath, and our eyes
stay locked.

Knox
brushes his thumb over my bottom lip and his green eyes shine. “Is
it closing time yet?” he asks, with a husky voice.

“No,”
I smile at him.

“Damn
it,” he says, smirking. His warm hand leaves my face and I feel
the chill.

Turning
around, I find Paige and Max staring at us, their eyebrows are raised
and Paige’s mouth is open.

“You
do know you’re in public?” Max asks, looking between us.

Knox
laughs at him and says he doesn’t care. Max winks at me then
calls out to Knox to bring us some shots.

“Hey,
you’re working tomorrow,” I scold.

“And?
Frank loves me,” Max answers, gripping the shot in his hand.

We
slam the shots back and I shake my head with disgust. Looking over at
Knox he laughs at me.

“What
was that?”

I
have a bitter taste in my mouth now. Knox strolls over to me holding
out another one. “No way, that was nasty Knox.” He laughs
again, telling me this one will be better. I don’t believe him,
but Max takes his and smiles, lifting the shot I’m a little
dubious, but I throw back while Knox watches me. When I swallow this
one, I get a sweet taste and smile too.

“See
darlin’, you have to do both for full effect.”

“Yeah,
you could have said that first.”

“And
miss you make that face?” he smiles at me.

“Well
I think you’re trying to kill me, so I may as well go home.”

“No,
no, no,” Knox grabs my hand. “Stay with me baby,”
he pouts.

“Oh
my god, you’re such a girl!” shaking my head, I sit back
down and switch to water because I can feel myself get a little
buzzed. Max walks Paige home while Knox cleans up the bar. I want to
help him, but I can I feel my wonderful world tilting a little.

“Hey,
babe.”

“Yeah,”
he calls over his shoulder.

“Knox,
I don’t feel good.”

He
crosses to me looking concerned as he takes my arms, he scrutinizes
my face, and eyes.

“Are
you going to be sick?” he asks.

“No,
I just feel really yuk.”

He
smiles wrapping his arms around me apologizing for giving me the
shots. He admits they were top shelf liquor. Letting me go, he runs
out back to grab his hoodie and makes me put it on.

“Come
on darlin’, let’s get you to bed.”

“That
was your plan all along,” I tease, but it sounds more like a
grumble.

He
laughs at me again. “Isn’t that always the plan?”

Knox
holds me close as we walk home. I sip on water and the cool night air
is helping. Once we are home, Knox puts me to bed with a kiss and I
drift off.

After
nursing a serious hangover all day I climb into my car and drive up
to my dad’s house. Walking through the door, I find him
snoozing on the sofa.

“Hey
Dad,” I whisper, lowering myself down beside him. He opens one
eye then smiles and wraps his arm around me.

“How’s
my favorite daughter?”

“Hung
over,” I grumble resting my head on his shoulder, he gives me a
squeeze and we both relax in silence.

“Did
you talk to Knox today?” I ask, after a few minutes.

“No,
I was out most of the day, why?”

“We
set a date.”

My
dad moves to sit up forcing me with him. He takes a look at me, and
smiles then hugs me tight.

“That’s
great sweetheart, when and where is it?”

“Edgewater,
they had a cancelation for the end of July so we took that.”

“Wow
Edgewater, that’s fancy sweetheart, show me what you got.”

We
leave the comfort of the sofa and traipse into his office. Turning on
the computer I flick through the hotel website and show him the area
we have in mind. I take a quick glance over my shoulder and notice
his eyes are brimming with tears.

“Dad?”

He
smiles at me and pats my shoulder. Standing, I pull him into a hug,
“I love you, Dad.”

“I
know, I love you too sweetheart. I’m happy for you, you deserve
this.”

“Thanks,
Dad.”

I
hang out with him for a few hours just sitting by the lake and
relaxing. We talk about work and my house before I leave him to go
back to the apartment.

“Love
you, Dad, see you later.”

“Love
you too, sweetheart.”

Climbing
into my car I drive slowly down the hill, my head hurts and I just
want to sleep. I find Knox and Max eating dinner while watching tv.
Taking a seat beside Knox, I steal one of his fries.

“Hey
darlin’, I thought you were staying up with Frank.”

“No,
I was there all day with him.”

“I
didn’t make you anything to eat,” he says, passing his
food to me.

“No
thanks I’m not hungry, I’m still hung over.”

Knox
smiles at me before wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “Sorry,”
he whispers.

“I’m
okay just a headache, maybe I can take one of your pills?”

He
shakes his head no and tells me they are prescription so I’m
stuck with regular over the counter medicine and lots of love from
him. After dinner, Max leaves us alone and heads out. Knox brings my
pillow to me and makes me lie on the sofa so he can watch me.

“Oh
we got a new assistant today, did you know?” he asks, turning
down the volume on the tv.

“Really,
I didn’t know,” I answer.

“Wonder
why Meagan left, she seemed to like the place.” He says.

“Who
knows,” I sigh.

Knox
taps my leg, so I turn to face him. He is looking at me with an
expression that says he knows I’m lying.

“You
do know why, but you don’t want to tell me, I get it. I’m
not in the Mortenson circle,” he smiles at me.

“No,
you’re not, so what’s this new person like?”

“She’s
nice, smoking hot and she has long hair like you,” he answers
looking off into space.

“Oh
really?”

“Yeah,
I never saw her name though. I mean who cares when she has huge…”

I
kick his leg as he holds his hands in front of his chest
demonstrating just how big her boobs are.

“I
get the picture babe.”

He
smiles at me again and watches me for a few minutes, “What?”
I ask.

“I’m
just kidding, she’s not that hot.”

He
laughs when I kick his leg again before throwing himself on top of me
and teasing me with his lips.

“Seriously
though, do you know what happened with Meagan?” he asks.

“Why,
do you miss her?” I reply.