Beneath, You're Beautiful Read online

  “I know you are. Jillian told me she asked you to watch over me. I’ll respect her request, and I promise to call you.” She grabbed the bakery bag from my hand and slipped her shades into place to cover her puffy eyes. “I love you, Victoria.”

  “You too, Bobbie Jo.”

  “We’ll survive this together. I just need to take care of me first. I have a plane to catch, so let’s move it, Toots.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  *

  With Bobbie Jo off on an excursion to “find herself,” Blake and I decided to take that weekend trip to Chicago to get away as well. We would be there for three days and two nights.

  We arrived at the Ritz Carleton on Michigan Avenue late in the day on Saturday. It was located across from the John Hancock Tower and on top of Water Tower Place, overlooking the Magnificent Mile. The view from our twenty-fourth floor corner suite was incredible, so we decided to take advantage of the spa services and order room service for dinner our first night.

  Blake had planned a day of excursions for us on Sunday, starting at eight in the morning, so he insisted that we get a good night sleep.

  I woke to kisses from Blake as the sun was beginning to brighten our room. “Good morning, Sunshine. It’s time to get up and shower,” he whispered in my ear. I could feel the smile on his lips as he kissed my face again.

  Maybe if I continued to lie still, he would just continue to kiss me for five to ten more minutes? “I know you’re awake. You’re not fooling me.”

  “Five more minutes?”

  “Nope.” He teasingly slapped my ass before getting off the bed. “It’s time to get up Sleepy Head.”

  I dragged myself out of bed and followed him to the bathroom. The shower was already heating up, and Blake was brushing his teeth when I closed the pocket door to the toilet. When I emerged to wash my hands, he was already in the shower. “I’ll be out shortly,” he called out.

  “Okay.” I brushed my teeth and set my cosmetics out before stepping in while he was rinsing off. Damn. I would never tire of looking at that firm ass and muscular frame. I reached my arms around him from behind and laid my head against his back. “Where are we going so early?”

  “Somewhere special.” He turned in my arms. “You just have to trust me.”

  I looked up to see his smiling eyes looking down at me. “I do trust you, but I still want to know. How else am I supposed to know what to wear?”

  He shifted positions with me, so that I could get my head wet and start washing my body. “I’m wearing a suit this morning, but we’ll be back later to change into something more comfortable for the afternoon and evening. Now, hurry up.” He smacked my ass before leaving me to shower.

  *

  Stepping off the elevator with a satin blindfold still covering my eyes, a smile broke out across my face. As much as Blake had tried to keep our destination a secret, the elevator ride was a dead giveaway. There was no mistaking the feeling of shooting up 103 stories, even with the sound on the video that normally played muted. “You think you’re so sly, Dr. Forrester,” I teased as he carefully guided me out of the elevator.

  After a few steps, I suddenly stopped as confusion took over. It was too quiet to be the Skydeck, and I swear I heard a smile hit Blake’s lips. The faint sound of Louis Armstrong’s “La Vie en Rose” began to play in the distance, and out of curiosity, I began to move toward the sound. Blake’s arm stayed snug around my waist steering me around potential obstacles.

  “We’re almost there.” We turned a corner, and he pulled me into his arms. The sound of the trumpet disappeared from the song, and the soft sound of the orchestra replaced it. At that moment, Blake reached up and released the blindfold from my eyes, letting it drop to the floor.

  I was greeted by his brilliant brown eyes and sexy smile as Louis started crooning, “Hold me close and hold me fast. The magic spell you cast. This is la vie en rose.”

  Holding out his hand, he asked, “May I have this dance?” With him looking sharp in a three-piece navy pinstripe suit, a crisp white shirt, and burgundy tie, how could I say no?

  “Yes.” He clasped my hand in his and pulled me close, my arms instantly finding their place wrapped around his neck.

  As we started to dance, I realized that, in fact, we were on the Skydeck, but we were alone; there was nobody to be found. “Where’s everyone? Are we the only ones here?”

  “Does it really matter?” he asked with a raised brow. “Because as far as I’m concerned, you’re the only person that matters right now.”

  My heart skipped a beat. Actually, I’m pretty sure it skipped several as he leaned down to place a tender kiss on my lips. We continued to dance as our lips slowly moved together as well. The song ended, and he reluctantly pulled away, his heated gaze moving from my lips up to my eyes. “You’re extraordinary.”

  I’m pretty sure the blush on my cheeks was noticeable all the way down on the street, but I didn’t care; he made me feel like a princess. Blake led me around one more corner toward the Ledge. As we got closer to the end of the hallway, I noticed a white linen-covered table with two chairs set up in one of the clear boxes.

  “What’s this?” I questioned as I came to a halt.

  “It’s the beginning of the perfect day,” he stated simply.

  “H-how . . . how did you?” I tried to fight back the tears that were threatening to spill over.

  “How did I what?”

  “How’d you do this . . . set this up?”

  “I have my ways—but you should know that by now. Are you okay being here with me? I know this place holds memories for you, some not so good, and I was hoping to replace them with new ones. But we can leave if you want to.”

  I swallowed hard and closed my eyes. The memories I’d made here with Noah had been special at the time but were now tarnished. This was where we came the day I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The day he told me that I was the strongest woman he knew and that we would conquer anything that came our way. The day he made me see that I would be able to overcome any obstacle thrown my way. Only I didn’t know that he would be one of those obstacles.

  Today was a new day, and Blake was a completely different man. I let out a quiet breath and opened my eyes, and what I saw in front of me was the one thing I never thought I’d find again. Love. The love of a man who met me at my worst and who’d watched me go through the unimaginable. A man who was not a coward. A man who had compassion. A man who knew my depths and found perfection in my imperfection. A man who saw beneath the scars and saw beauty.

  Blake interrupted my thoughts. “Are you okay?” I could hear a trace of insecurity in his voice.

  I smiled and stepped into his arms, inhaling his cologne and body wash, which instantly calmed me. “This is the start to the perfect day. I’m happy to be here with you.”

  He tilted his head down to make eye contact with me. “Are you sure?”

  “I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”

  He nodded and led me toward the table. I pulled out my chair and sat down, and he quickly took the seat next to me and rested his hand on my thigh. I tried not to look down, but the view around us was breathtaking. It was a clear morning, and the blue sky was dotted with a few puffy white clouds; it was beyond romantic. Our server appeared from out of nowhere with two glasses of champagne, a bowl of fruit, and tray of pastries.

  “I don’t know how you pulled this off, but you’ve completely blown me away. Thank you.”

  “The pleasure is all mine, and I look forward to blowing you away more often.”

  I raised my eyebrow in a challenge. “What if I want the opportunity to blow you away?”

  He chuckled. “Trust me when I say that I look forward to you blowing me away. Anytime, anyplace, always.”

  His eyes began darkening as I reached for my champagne, and I noticed he was watching my mouth as I brought the flute up to my lips. His gaze was intense as I took a sip, and I swear I heard a slight groan as he watch
ed me swallow.

  “You have the most perfect mouth.” He took the flute from my hand and brushed his lips against mine. A soft moan now escaped my throat, inviting him to claim my mouth. His tongue trailed along my bottom lip and quickly found mine. His kiss was gentle but powerful—just like him—and I easily got lost in the moment. His passion was intoxicating.

  He rested his forehead against mine and cleared his throat. “As much as I’d love to kiss you all day, we really need to finish breakfast. We have a full day of memory making, and I promise we’ll continue this later.”

  Blake kept his promise, and after spending the afternoon at the Art Institute of Chicago, followed by a picnic dinner in Millennium Park, we made memories all over our suite.

  Chapter Seventeen

  I AM A SURVIVOR

  Nine months later . . .

  “Who else are we waiting for?” Jen asked as we waited in the designated team meeting area for the Twin Cities Race for the Cure.

  This was my first year walking as a survivor, and my friends all insisted that we sign up as a team. Bobbie Jo registered “Team Sizzle Tits” and had custom T-shirts made for everyone. Mine was the only pink one, as pink was reserved for survivors.

  “I think we’re just waiting for Bobbie Jo,” Blake replied. “She and Liam texted me that they were running late.

  Remember that trip Bobbie Jo took to the Keys? Yeah, well it turned out to be the perfect place for her. She was able to forget the world and party it up with all the gay men she ever wanted. She was in her element and had made some amazing friendships in the process. Jillian’s friend with the private jet had an emergency but lined up another jet to take her home. It was a business associate from Minneapolis who was in one of the Upper Keys on a dive trip. He agreed to bring her home, and I’m pretty sure she joined the mile-high club before landing.

  He was a very nice and patient man, and he had filled a void in Bobbie Jo’s life. He lived for adventure, was established in his career, and cared deeply for my crazy-ass friend. She still would have her moments of grief over the loss of Jillian, but she believed that Liam was a gift from her, and she cherished him even more.

  “Well, if they’re not here in ten minutes, we’re heading to the starting line, and she can catch up.”

  “Whatever you say.” I felt my nerves ratcheting up a few notches. Walking to celebrate my life while also walking in memory of Jillian was bittersweet. As I looked around, I saw several women in pink shirts. Some were bald and some had a full head of hair, like I did now. It was still short, but you’d never know I’d had cancer by looking at it. I also saw families congregated together walking in memory of a loved one. The shirt on what appeared to be a five-year-old little boy broke my heart: “I walk in loving memory of my mommy” with a colored stick figure of a woman.

  Blake rubbed my back. “It’s your day to celebrate. We all love you and are honored to be here walking by your side.”

  “We’re here,” Bobbie Jo announced in a singsong voice. “Team Sizzle Tits is ready to roll.”

  “Yes, we are,” Dana said.

  “Jen, where’s Brock?” Bobbie Jo asked. “I thought he was coming with you today.”

  “He was going to, but he got called to an emergency as we were walking out the door.” She shrugged. “That’s how life is when you’re dating a firefighter.”

  “A hot one to boot,” Dana chimed in.

  “Where’s your flavor of the month?” I asked Dana.

  “No flavor lately—I’m on a man diet. They aren’t good for my health right now.”

  We heard Blake and Liam coughing in the background, and the four of us turned to them and in unison asked. “What?”

  “Nothing,” they both stated in defense. “Just staying out of the line of fire.” Liam smiled.

  “It’s nice to have two smart men around,” Jen laughed. “Let’s do this!”

  We made it to the starting line slowly, and the local broadcasters were perched up high announcing teams as they approached the official start. Bobbie Jo started chanting “Team Sizzle Tits” and had several other people chanting, which caught their attention. She yelled my name up to them, and they asked how many years I had survived, and I yelled, “One!,” amassing cheers from around me. Wow.

  I got choked up as I passed the starting line, and Blake held my hand a little tighter as we approached a lone bagpiper in a kilt playing “Amazing Grace.” The hair on my arms stood as I felt the presence of Jillian at that moment. She was watching over me as I walked; she was never far away.

  The race was an experience like no other. There were drumlines playing, cheerleaders cheering, and fun mile-marker stops. Bobbie Jo decided to turn the “Hug a Survivor” corner into “Grope a Survivor” and didn’t hesitate to cop a feel of my “girls.”

  Speaking of my “girls,” the nipples had been reconstructed and my areola tattoos were complete. My breasts looked good; I didn’t see the scars every time I looked in the mirror anymore. I saw a woman, a woman who wore her scars with pride, knowing that she had won the battle. Cancer didn’t have a chance against me.

  “So . . .” Jen asked as we passed the three-mile marker. “What do you want to do for lunch afterward? Do you guys have plans?”

  “I don’t think so . . . I guess I hadn’t thought about it,” I replied.

  “Actually, I was thinking we could all come back to my place to grill out. I have kabobs marinating, beer chilling, and Victoria’s favorite dessert waiting.” Blake smiled, looking to me for approval.

  “Sounds great. You can count Bobbie Jo and me in,” Liam responded. “I don’t think we have any plans.”

  Bobbie Jo had a devilish grin. “Nope. No plans at all.” She smiled mischievously.

  That’s weird.

  “I’ll text Brock and see if he can meet at your house when he’s ready.” Jen started tapping on her mobile.

  “Great. I’m the odd man out, but I’ll be there,” Dana sighed.

  “Don’t worry,” Blake replied as we turned the last corner, just yards away from the finish line. “I think David and Mitch were going to stop over,” he remarked with a wink.

  What the hell?

  “Everything okay, love?” Blake asked nervously.

  “Yeah, just nervous about crossing the finish line. The race is over.”

  “Just like this part of your journey. It’s over. The future is waiting when you cross that finish line. It’s time to celebrate.” He clasped my hand.

  I relaxed and turned to ask Bobbie Jo a question, only to find she wasn’t there. As a matter a fact, none of our friends were there, and I had no idea where they went. “We lost everyone,” I worried, slowing down. “We should wait.”

  “Don’t worry, they’ll catch up,” Blake replied. My heart started to pound faster as we approached the finish line, but Blake wasn’t going to slow down; we were going to cross that line, and nothing was going to get in the way. I could hear “I Run for Life” by Melissa Etheridge blaring through the speakers as we approached. My eyes were watching the pavement as we got closer, and when we were just steps away from finishing, Blake suddenly came to a stop.

  “Is everything okay?” I asked, looking at him.

  “Everything’s perfect.” He smiled and tilted his head for me to look ahead.

  Standing on the other side of the finish line were Dana, Jen, Bobbie Jo, Liam, my parents, and several other friends, including Dr. McGuire, who had become a good friend, holding up poster boards that spelled out, “Congratulations, Victoria.”

  I turned to Blake and smiled. “Did you do this?”

  “Possibly.” He nodded his head for me to look at them again.

  “Will you marry me?” was now spelled out on the poster boards.

  When I looked back to Blake, he was down on one knee with a blue Tiffany & Co. box in his hand. My body began to tremble.

  “Victoria Madison, I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”

 
; “Yes,” I whispered as Blake stood to catch me in his arms.

  “I told you that I’d always catch you.” He smiled before opening the box to reveal an exquisite three-stone diamond ring set in platinum. “Past, present, and future.”

  “It’s gorgeous,” I gasped as he slipped it on my left ring finger.

  “Just like you.” He planted a firm kiss on my lips that earned cheers from all around, including the guy announcing people crossing the finish line.

  “I think this is a first,” the race announcer hollered. “A wedding proposal just happened at the finish line, and she said yes!”

  Another roar of cheers rang out.

  “I love you, future Mrs. Forrester.” Blake smiled as he scooped me up and carried me across the finish line.

  “I thought you were supposed to carry me over the threshold?”

  “I needed practice,” he replied. “You can cross on your own next year.”

  My parents were the first to congratulate us. I found out that after Blake approached them to ask for my hand, they helped him pull off his plan to propose at the race. After a few hugs, they excused themselves to head over to Blake’s house, so that everything would be ready when we all arrived.

  Several other friends congratulated us before the terrific three, plus one, approached us.

  “It’s about damn time, McHottie. I was beginning to wonder.” Bobbie Jo winked at Blake.

  “Shut it, Bobbie Jo,” Jen cut in. “You knew it was happening, so stop trying to bust his balls.”

  “Yeah, leave his balls alone,” Dana added. “He may need those someday to make little McHottie babies with Victoria.”

  “Whoa. Slow down. We just got engaged, let’s not discuss my balls or babies just yet.” Blake squeezed my hand and smiled at me knowing that I had been told the chances of having a baby were slim, but not impossible. We had discussed it, and he loved me regardless of whether or not we could have children. “Let’s plan a wedding!” he yelled.