Page 18 of Champion

There are lights already on in the windows. “Is somebody else here?” I ask, confused.

“No, it's just the two of us.” Champ smiles, and I can see a twinkle in his eyes. “Let's get inside.”

“What's going on?” I ask as I look around the cabin. My eyes widen with surprise. A fire crackles in the fireplace. An open bottle of wine sits on the table, along with a massive bouquet of flowers.

“I had Claudia help me with this,” Champ admits, smiling at me.

“It's wonderful, Champ. Thank you.” I move to Champ and he takes me in his arms, kissing me slow and deep.

The comfort and peace of being in his arms settle through me, and my desire flares to life as our kiss deepens. He slides his hands under my blouse and I arch my body into his.

“I've been wanting to touch you and be with you all day long, Opal,” Champ says, his voice thick.

“I wanted the same thing,” I say, reaching down and unzipping his jeans. “I guess you weren't kidding, were you?” I giggle when I discover how hard he is already.

“Babe, I’m always ready for you, and you know it.” Champ grins at me, a wicked glint in his eye. “But first, let’s sit on the couch and have a drink.”

Champ leads me to the couch and I sip the glass of wine he gives me.

“Opal, you know I love you,” Champ says, putting down his glass of wine and turning his body to me.

“I do.” I smile. “I love you, too. Very much.”

If you'd asked me at the beginning of summer if this is how I thought my life would be in autumn, I would have laughed. Yet the setup that Beth and Shelly put together worked, and now I’m happier than I ever imagined. Not a day that goes by when I don’t silently thank them for helping Champ and me get together.

“Opal, since you entered my life, distracting me with your dresses in the gym, our relationship has redefined what I thought being in love would be. You constantly amaze me with your kindness and passion and your commitment to the community.”

“Thank you, Champ. What is…”

“Please, let me finish,” Champ says, putting his hand over mine. I nod, and he continues. “You make me happier than I thought I ever deserved. I owe you my life for not giving up on me, even when I tried to keep you at a distance. I never want to be apart from you ever again, Opal.” Champ’s voice wavers, and my heart pounds in my chest. “I know it’s quick, but I don’t need months or years to figure out how I feel.”

“Oh, Champ,” I whisper, understanding what he’s saying.

Champ reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small, blue velvet box. He opens it, and a beautiful diamond ring twinkles in the light from the fireplace. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

“Yes!” I say, not even hesitating for a moment.

I tremble with joy as he slides the ring on my finger. I pull him into a kiss and everything else in the world falls away as we fuse our promise to love each other for the rest of our lives.