I hope Nick can see that this expansion is me supporting his dream and finding my own.
I just have to have faith.
Chapter Nineteen
The throat chakra couple is a rare couple to come across. They tend to be very talented people. They spend their time in careers or positions they personally and emotionally feel connected to, as if they were “meant to” serve the world in that chosen capacity.
NICHOLAS
Flying blind. That’s what it feels like as Honor leads me blindfolded through the gym’s door and outside to the busy street. I assume she’s going to put me in her car, but instead she walks me to the right. The Bay Area wind whips my hair around and puts goosebumps on my bare arms. I’m wearing nothing but my track pants and a ribbed tank, my standard work attire.
“Dove, where are you taking me?” One of her hands is tight around my waist and the other pressing against the center of my back.
“Shhh…and no peeking. It’s a surprise. I told you already!”
I chuckle but follow along, trusting her to not smash me into a wall or a car.
“Okay, stop right there,” she says, and then all I hear is the sound of a door being unlocked, a bell tinkling against glass, and her labored breathing.
Honor grabs my hands this time and leads me into a building. We didn’t walk that far, so I can’t figure out what she’s up to.
“Are you ready for your surprise?”
“From you? Born ready.” I pucker my lips as if I’m expecting a kiss.
She giggles, and it’s the most beautiful sound in the world. Her warm lips press against mine, and I take advantage, pulling her into my arms, where she gasps, opening her mouth, inviting me in. I plunder her mouth with my tongue, not giving a fuck if there are people where she brought us or what. If my girl is going to get close, put her mouth to mine, I’m going to fucking kiss her full out. End of story.
After long licks of her vanilla and mint taste, I pull away. “Great surprise.”
She laughs and smacks my arm and then rips the blindfold off my face. I blink against the suddenly bright lights of what used to be the laundromat next door. Now the machines have all been removed, the walls have been painted with a fresh coat of gray paint with black, red, and white stripes running down the center. Just like the color scheme in my gym.
I look around, contemplating what I’m seeing. The once laminate floors are a brushed clean concrete. Next to one wall is an exact replica of the free weights set-up I have next door. Another area has several shiny black and red punching bags lying on the floor like sentinels waiting for orders. Mirrors span one far wall where red protective mats are stacked ten high. Another section has a table in the center with unopened boxes of new gloves, headgear, fighting pads, knee pads, and everything else we have over at my gym. Only there’s twice as much.
“Babe, what am I looking at?”
I spin around and find her with her arms crossed protectively over herself and finger and thumb at her mouth, plucking her lip nervously.
She flings her hands out as if she’s drying them off. “Okay.” The one word is abrupt and filled with what can only be panic. “You know how you told me to find what makes me happy, what gets me out of bed, and what would better my life and the lives around me?”
For a moment, I rescan the room. “Holy…” I cover my mouth as I walk around the huge space, taking it all in. It’s at least twice the size of the current gym but bare of any real set-up or machines.
“You’re what makes me happy, Nick.”
I focus on the matching color scheme, the new equipment. “Jesus…”
“And you and the gym are what makes me excited to get out of bed in the morning.”
“Mary…”
Her voice cracks. “And I want to better your life, our lives.”
“Joseph.” I gasp, push both hands into my hair, and tug at the roots. The prickle of pain centers me.
“Nick…I want you to expand the business. Um…I want you to expand it with me.”
I give the room one more gander, and then all my attention is on her. The most precious, selfless, giving woman I know. My heart pounds, the surface of my skin prickling with an electric energy I’m not used to. There is so much I want to say, but the words feel jumbled and coated with intense emotion.
I pause to take it all in, breathe through the overwhelming feelings skittering along every single one of my pores.
“You did this for me?” I can hardly recognize my own voice as I barely get the words out.
She nods.
“Words, Dove. Right now!” I shake my head. “Babe, need to hear every single word in your head. Don’t leave anything out.”
Tears spring to her eyes, making them seem glittery, as though I’m looking into two matching crystal balls.
My girl stands tall, lifts her chin, and clasps her hands loosely in front of
