He peers at me with watchful eyes, so I nod, telling him to proceed. He smiles softly, then continues. “We already talked about why I bailed on you at the resort, but I never really got into why I felt like I couldn’t make you happy. A good portion of my childhood I was told I was nothing. That I would experience nothing resembling love because I didn’t deserve it. And I don’t feel bad about my childhood because it brought me to the family that I have now. And I guess you could say ultimately it brought me to you. After being adopted, I decided I would be the very best at absolutely everything I did, so I would never have to wonder if I deserved what I had. My money, my degrees, all of my success, it resulted in me leading a very controlled, very deliberate life. Without uncertainties, without gray areas, and vague standards. You can see how that made it hard for me to have relationships.”

The crowd laughs, pulling me back into reality, and that’s when I realize again we’re at a bar. And he’s speaking to me in front of everyone. I look out at the faces of the people watching him and they’re all mesmerized. As spellbound as I am, watching him with round, awestruck eyes.

“Whether any of us deserve each other, the most important thing we can do is to tell the people we love that we love them when we love them. Because this whole thing started with me being told as a child that no one would ever love me. And I guess the best thing I can do now is make sure—when the time comes—to tell our children how loved they are. And how deserving they are of love, and everything this world offers.”

Gasps come from the women in the crowd, sniffles and noses blowing into napkins sound in the distance. And my heart races and beats with the heavy drum of the love I have for this man.

“You’re my Everest, Winter. It’s an uncomfortable feeling having someone so big standing in front of you, reminding you of how small you are. And I wasn’t used to that feeling. Or ready for it. I don’t deserve you, I think we both know that, but I will spend the rest of my life making you happy. I haven’t done the right things or said the right things because, baby, you scare the shit out of me. But I’ve never backed away from a challenge and I’m here to tell you I want all the things you want in life, but god I only want them with you.”

The crowd whistles and Aleck smiles, all of his beautiful teeth on display as it widens. He looks down at me from the stage and goosebumps cover my body.

“What do you want, Aleck?” I ask, my voice calm, but shaky.

“Glad you asked, Grimm. I’d like to renegotiate terms.”