“Back to the problem,” Marcus began and cleared his throat. “I am proposing that…”
“Yes.”
“You didn’t even hear what I said…”
“You proposed – I accepted.”
“I think you misunderstood what…”
“You proposed. I am willing to marry you. Case closed.”
“I have conditions, which I was proposing to go over with you.”
“I have conditions too.”
“Let’s have ‘em…”
“You first,” she shot back, her mind whirling. She didn’t have any conditions, but because he said it, she wanted to participate in an active negotiation if this… and other things were on the table.
“I was going to suggest we get married…”
“Hallelujah!”
“On paper…” he amended.
“Oh… yay?” she volunteered weakly and tried to sound just as happy.
“And then we can get divorced after the season, so you’d be stuck with me for about three months, and then we’re both in the clear. Now, what are your conditions?”
“Um,” she began, and then drew in a deep, shaky breath. If this was her shot, her chance, her everything – she was going all-in. We’re talking balls to the wall, self-destruction, no shame-in-my-game strategy. “I have a few conditions.”
“I’ve got paper – go ahead…”
He was gonna write this down?Oh my…
“First off, we take photos together and we’re seen publicly. I’m not going to hide away or be cast into some hidey-hole to wait out my time. I want to be seen at your side.”
“I see…”
“Secondly, full-on PDA.”
“I don’t believe in guns.”
“That’s the NRA. I’m talking PDA – public displays of affection.”
“Now hang on…”
“Nope – these are my non-negotiables. If we are in public, you have to hold my hand, pat my butt, or kiss me. I want no one to mistake the fact that we’re happily married for however brief a time it is.”
“Interesting. Anything else?”
“Two more things,” she lobbed frantically, thinking how to phrase it or how to cram her wildest fantasies into two more requests.
“Go ahead,” he chuckled huskily. “I’m waiting.”
“It’s a real marriage in the bedroom,” she said quickly, feeling her face flood with shame at what she was asking for – especially when she heard him choking on something as he began coughing wildly in the phone.
“You wanna…” he rasped between coughs.
