then Martin and Michael. My brothers by choice are my best friends, and with Martin, I learned that someone doesn’t have to share the same blood to be family. He was and is a great father, and I’m the man I am today because of him, so I’m grateful to the woman who birthed me.”
Sage found herself fighting tears as she listened to this man who was so much stronger than she was. If she hadn’t lived with her grandmother after her parents died, she didn’t think she would have been as strong. She didn’t know what to say.
“I’ve shared with you,” Spence said, and then waited. His opening up gave her the courage to share with him.
“I lost my parents when I was ten. My grandfather was taking my mom and dad fishing and their tire blew out over a bridge. They crashed through the guardrail into the river, and it took the rescuers eight hours to pull the car out. I still have a hard time discussing it. I was supposed to be with them but wasn’t feeling good that day, so I was home with my grandma. She told me it was the angels protecting me, but if that’s the case, why didn’t they protect my parents and my grandfather?” She knew she’d never have an answer to that question.
“We don’t always get to know the reason something happens, but I do believe our lives are shaped by every experience we go through. Maybe that feeling of helplessness is what shaped you into who you are, is what gave you the drive to be a doctor. No, it shouldn’t take losing your parents to find yourself, but everything really does happen for a reason.”
Spence reached across the table and took her hand, offering her the only comfort he was capable of giving right then. It wasn’t enough, and at the same time, it was exactly what she needed. She didn’t want to speak about it anymore, and he seemed to get that.
“Okay, we’re going to shelve conversation for now. The band is about to start, and I want to hold you.” Spence stood up, escorted her to the corner of the dance floor, and put his arms around her. Couples were already swaying to the recorded music coming from the speakers. When the live band started, the floor would be packed.
“Thank you for sweeping me off my feet tonight, Spence,” she said against his neck.
“Thank you for giving me the chance to do it, Sage.” He kissed her gently, giving her a taste of the way their night was going to end.
Well after midnight, Spence opened the door to their rooms at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. The hotel was beautifully designed and appointed, with an ambience of high style and exclusivity, but this corner suite still managed to surprise Sage. They entered the living room to find a fire burning and soft lights. On every table sat a vase holding roses and lilies in colors and shapes she’d never seen before. It was romantic. It was perfect.
She walked to a window and looked out at the beautiful green hotel grounds through the bright lights that illuminated the area. Even after her years in California, she never ceased to be amazed at the beauty one could find in the middle of a metropolis. When she’d imagined cities as a child, she’d thought only of pollution and garbage. Thankfully, there were always oases to be found.
As Spence’s arms wrapped around her, she closed her eyes and leaned back against him, feeling perfectly happy just as they were. Yes, she wanted to get to the lovemaking, but at the same time she wanted to freeze this moment, this feeling of bliss from the first truly romantic day she’d ever experienced.
“I don’t know how you arranged all of this, but thank you,” she whispered, afraid of breaking the spell she was under if she spoke too loudly.
“I just made a couple of phone calls. The staff here did the rest.”
“Well, they were great phone calls. Thank you again, Spence. You’ve made me feel special.”
“I want you to feel special because you are. Everything I do for you, I do because it pleases me so much to see your eyes light up with happiness. A smile from you brings me joy unlike any gift ever has.” He punctuated his words by caressing the side of her neck with his lips.
She found herself tilting her head to give him better access to that