Dex and I ended up spending the night at his father’s guesthouse, which was adjacent to the Truitt’s main waterfront property. So exhausted from the long day at the hospital, I relaxed into Dex’s arms. The mood was somber as we fell asleep in the king-sized bed listening to the sound of the waves crashing just outside the French doors.
The following morning, he snuck up behind me as I was looking out at the ocean from the patio.
He handed me a mug of freshly brewed coffee. “How are you feeling?”
“Sort of numb.”
“I know what you mean. It feels like a shock. I went from preparing myself to possibly never find out…to now inevitably dealing with the truth as soon as tomorrow.”
“We couldn’t have lived like that. We would have always wondered.”
“I think deep down I knew that, but I still didn’t want to believe it.” Dex suddenly looked panicked. “We can’t waste these last hours, Bianca. I feel like we need to not let a second pass us by unnoticed.”
“What do you want to do?”
“We have a huge day ahead.”
“We do?”
“Fuck, yes. They said the results could potentially be in tomorrow…that means today could be the last full day that we’re living in ignorant bliss. I feel like I need to give you a lifetime today.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means there are certain things that I want to see and do with you while you’re still my Bianca, in case I never get a chance to experience them. Although, the one thing I really need to do, I can’t.”
“What are we going to do?”
“I want to take you to a few different places.”
I’d made some phone calls to area businesses while Bianca showered and got dressed. The Truitt name was well known on the island, so I had no trouble getting people to cooperate with my plans.
Our first stop was Worth Avenue, which was Palm Beach’s version of Rodeo Drive. Bianca wasn’t very materialistic, but that didn’t stop me from wanting to shower her with the best that money could buy.
A lifetime.
I had to give her a lifetime today—just in case.
We’d parked and were strolling along the sidewalk, looking in the windows of the upscale shops. Her face turned red when I intentionally stopped in front of Tiffany’s.
Seeming to read my guilty expression, she asked, “What are you up to, Dex Truitt?”
“Wait right out here, okay?”
Once inside, I raced to the first person I saw.
“Can I help you?”
“Yes, I’m looking for Julia. She and I spoke over the phone.”
Moments later, an older blonde woman approached. “Hi, Mr. Truitt. I have it right here. If for some reason it doesn’t fit, just bring her back in today and we can resize it.”
“Perfect. Thank you.”
With the small blue gift bag in hand, I ventured back outside to find Bianca waiting for me, looking perplexed.
“What’s in the bag, Dex?”
I wasted no time getting to the point.
“Okay, first off, I want you to know that this isn’t a proposal. I’m hopeful if things turn out okay, I can do that the right way someday. I want to really appreciate that moment without this cloud hanging over us. But I wanted to give you something now that you will always remember me by.”
I took the small box out and opened it, showcasing the nearly three-carat diamond eternity band. The bright sunlight beamed over the diamonds, causing them to really shine.
“I’m not getting down on one knee today, because I want to keep that option open for later. No matter what the outcome is tomorrow, you’re going to be a Truitt. I want you to wear this and always remember me, remember the time we’ve had together. Whether I can complement this someday with another ring, or whether it stands alone as a symbol of what never could be, this eternity band represents my eternal love and respect for you, Bianca.” I placed it on her finger. It fit perfectly. My earlier estimate of her ring size was right on the money; that was pure fate, kind of like this whole experience.
She looked down at the sparkling gems, seeming shocked as I continued.
“Today isn’t our wedding day, but it’s our day, and we’re going to celebrate what we do have—today. There’s going to be cake, and a pretty white dress, and some frolicking on the beach. And we’re going to spend every moment together.”
Overcome with emotion, she reached up and hugged me tightly. “I don’t even know what to say that will do this gesture justice, except that I will proudly wear this forever.”
Taking her bejeweled hand in mine, I kissed it hard. “Now, let’s go have some fun.”
We were right on time for the noon appointment I’d made at the posh boutique. The owner took Bianca upstairs to look at their selection of garments. I’d told the woman to pull all of the white dresses in the place before Bianca’s arrival. Since this wasn’t an actual wedding—just a celebration—I suggested she bring out more casual dresses as opposed to formal evening gowns. But the choice was Bianca’s. My only condition was that I wanted to see her in white. You know…just in case this was all we would have.
Much to my dismay, they wouldn’t allow me upstairs in the all-female dressing area. I waited down on the lower level, mindlessly flipping through the pages of a bridal magazine and talking to the pictures inside.
“Bianca’s way prettier.”
Flip.
“Dude, would you still marry her if there was a chance she could be your sister? Not an easy decision, is it?”
Flip.
“Oh, what’s this? A facial is a great way to relax on the morning of your wedding? Well, I couldn’t agree more.”
I closed the magazine suddenly when my eyes caught Bianca slowly making her way down the winding staircase. The sight of her in the dress she’d chosen took my breath away. But what made my heart want to combust even more was the huge smile plastered all over her face. It was so full of hope and optimism, beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.
Good idea, Dex. This was a good way to help take her mind off things.
I prayed that nothing would ever happen to take that smile away.
“You look stunning.”
With a humble expression, she looked down at herself. “It’s simple. I didn’t want to go overboard. This one just felt right.”
The dress Bianca had chosen was strapless, fitted at the waist, and flaring out at the bottom just above her knees.
“It’s perfect.”
“Get this...” She smiled. “Guess what the name of this design is?”
“The dresses have names?”
“Yes.” She laughed. “This one is called La Bandita.”
A wide grin spread across my face. “Bandit Boy is here in spirit. I love that.”
“Thank you for this experience. It was very Pretty Woman.”
“I could never repay you for what you’ve given me.” I leaned in and planted a soft kiss on her lips.
She stretched out her arms. “So, I’m all dressed up. Where to next?”
“You’ll have to wait to find out.” I winked.
Driving away in our rented convertible, I felt high on life. Bianca’s hair was blowing in the warm wind. Our hands were interlocked.
Pulling up in front of our destination, I had to parallel park. Whether the car would actually fit into the space was questionable, but I slid it right in.