“Thank you, Sugarpie.”
He leaned down to kiss her and Jordan had to suppress a gag. They were fucking sickening and even though it sounded like they used the pet names as a joke, it still made her cringe. As Danny’s left hand wrapped around the cup, something shiny caught Jordan’s attention and she immediately sat forward.
“Wait! What the fuck is that?”
Danny and Max both laughed.
“Is that…is that an engagement ring? That’s a fucking engagement ring!”
“We’re engaged!” Max announced with a broad smile.
Jordan got up and threw herself onto his back, winding her legs and arms tightly around him. “Congratulations!” Her lips went crazy, plastering kisses all over his cheeks. “Mom! Mom! Get in here!” She got off him and attacked Danny with the same excited hugs and kisses. “Oh, you beautiful girl. You make me so happy. Now tell me how you did it?”
She laughed. “Did what?”
“How did you propose?”
“I proposed,” Max said.
“Oh.” She was saved from further embarrassment when her mother came rushing into the room.
“Jordan Alberta, what is all the fuss about?”
“Max and Danny got engaged.”
Her mother couldn’t even respond and tears of joy came rolling down her cheeks. Max gave her a quick hug, but she sobbed even harder. “I’ve been waiting for this for so long,” she spluttered. “I’m so happy…and so proud of you, Danny. It takes courage for a woman to pop the big question.”
“I proposed, Mom.” Max corrected firmly.
“Oh.” Her mother was equally surprised by this revelation.
“What’s all the commotion?” Kevin asked from the entrance of the living room and Jordan noted that he was wearing the same clothes as the day before.
“Where are you coming from at this hour?” she asked.
He shrugged with indifference. “I went out last night.”
Jordan rolled her eyes. She’d always had a curfew, but Kevin could come waltzing in at eight o’ clock in the morning without even one nasty look from their mother. Double standards!
“Max and Danny got engaged,” her mother told him, still blubbering with joy.
“Congratulations!” Kevin gave them both a hug. “So Danny finally got down on one knee.”
“Iproposed!” Max shouted. “Why does everyone keep saying that?”
Kevin was the one who decided to give it to him straight. “Max, you areso slowwhen it comes to women. You’ve been in love with Danny since day one and it took you seven years to make a move. Actually, I don’t even thinkyoumade the first move. I can bet Danny kissed you first.”
Danny’s giggle was clear confirmation of that statement and Max turned to face her with a smile. “You’re not helping.” He groaned. “If I’m getting this much flak from you guys, I can only imagine what Shane’s going to say when he finds out.” He turned back to Kevin. “Speaking of which. Are you coming skating with us today, Kev?”
Perry had always been part of the tradition and Jordan was pretty sure he was going to opt out.
“Nah, I’m gonna stay at home with mom.”
As the day went on, Jordan felt like she should have opted out as well. Quality time with her family was great, but being surrounded by three couples who were all very much in love was difficult to watch. Dom and Tracey teaching Makayla how to skate. Shane and Debbie holding hands as they crossed over the frozen lake. Max and Danny looking at each other with that sickening adoration. Seeing all that reminded her of what she’d lost, what she’d never really had. She missed Tyler. She missed his random, unexpected jokes. She missed him calling her Roman every time she cursed. She missed being wrapped up in his strong arms. She missed everything about him.
She felt selfish, because instead of relishing in all the happiness around her, she was wallowing in depression.
She spent two more days in Montana before she decided it would be better if she was alone. She didn’t want to be the darkcloud raining on the happy days of her family, so she packed her bags and flew back home.
