I didn’t want you to think I believed you couldn’t handle things. Or that I was worried about you meeting my friends. I shouldn’t have put that kind of pressure on us. Maybe we could just go on a regular date.
There it was—the olive branch a man with any kind of goddamn sense would reach for. I apparently had no sense. I wanted to say yes. I wanted to try dating, to take Elena out to a restaurant and maybe even a movie in the theater. Sitting in the dark, holding hands like a million other couples. But when I let my mind wander down that path, I ended up in the same place as before. With us resenting each other for things we couldn’t help.
My phone rang, and Elena’s name filled the screen. And like the colossal chicken shit I’d chosen to be, I didn’t answer.
ME
Sorry, I can’t talk right now. I’m out with the dog.
It was a stupid excuse. I could talk; it wasn’t like Brick cared. But I didn’t trust myself to hear her voice and hold myself together. Texting had always been easier than talking for me. It let me organize my thoughts and usually helped me avoid making stupid mistakes. Today was clearly the exception.
ELENA
Okay. Give him a kiss on the head from me. Call later if you want or whatever.
ME
Thanks
And then, because that felt so final, I snapped a picture of the dog, sitting expectantly at my feet, and sent it to her. Without waiting to see if she’d reply, I pitched our trash and turned back the way we’d come. I started to run, picking up the pace as Brick fell into step beside me, and headed home feeling worse than I had when I left.
32
“Can I talk to you guys quick?” Ford glanced over his shoulder to Charlotte’s retreating back before motioning for me, Kindra, Alex, and Meredith to follow him to the other room.
The party had gone off without a hitch. Meredith’s staff handled the food, while Alex and Erik set up the bar. I’d ordered the tableware, linens, and flowers and arranged the food and beverage service. It was perfect. The only thing bothering me was Jake’s absence. Against my better judgment, I kept gazing at the door, hoping he’d show up.
“We’ve just got a couple minutes before she gets back, and I’ve got to ask you guys something.” He shifted from side to side appearing anxious and not at all like a laid-back restauranteur riding high on the wave of his success. “I know I should wait. I told her I’d wait until she proposed to me. But honestly, I don’t want to—unless you all tell me I must. I don’t want to fuck this up.” He dug around in his pocket, tugging with nervous hands to pull the ring box free.
Meredith let out a little squeal before clamping her hand over her mouth.
“I want to ask Charlotte to marry me. What do you think?”
He flipped open a box revealing what looked like at least a three-carat emerald-cut diamond ring in a platinum setting with bezels holding the long sides of the stone. It was clean and modern and looked so much like my friend; I found myself blinking back tears.
“Do it,” said Meredith with a sniffle. “She’ll say yes.”
He glanced at the rest of us, his gaze moving from one to another as we all nodded our agreement. We knew Charlotte wanted to marry him, and given the choice, I think she’d prefer he’d be the one to ask. Pushing aside the bullshit of traditional gender roles, there was something almost primal to thiswill you give me your handthing.
“Okay.” He nodded as if ordering this new reality in his head. “I know public proposals are kind of bullshit, but I didn’t want to wait until we were alone on the island, especially if there’s a chance she’ll say no.
“She won’t,” I said, smiling at the way his words mirrored hers.
“I don’t think you should wait.” Alex met each of our gazes in turn, judging her answer. “Do it now. Let us celebrate with you before you whisk her away.”
“I think you should too.” I nodded my agreement as Meredith let out another squeal, this time not bothering to cover her mouth.
Kindra winced and stuck a finger in her ear, but she was nodding too.
Looking much less anxious than he had moments ago, Ford followed us back to the main part of the house and the rest of the party.
“There you are,” said Charlotte, hurrying to his side. “Come on over here.” She took his hand and pulled him to stand in front of the giant windows overlooking their wooded backyard. “Can I get everyone’s attention?” She stretched up on tiptoes, trying tomake herself tall enough to see over the small crowd of people gathered to celebrate Ford. “I’d like to make a toast.”
I caught the eye of one of the servers I’d hired to help with the food and drinks and motioned for him to start pouring champagne into the waiting stemless flutes. I’d planned for a toast, not a proposal, but champagne worked for both.
“If you don’t mind, I want to go first.” He took both of her hands in his. “I know you planned this party as a celebration for me, but you are the truly amazing one. I still can’t quite believe you agreed to run away with me for a month and leave work and everything behind, but I’m so glad you did. I can’t imagine doing any of this without you. I can’t imagine my life without you, Charlotte.” He dropped to one knee in front of her, and a small, hopeful gasp went up from the gathered crowd.
Charlotte blinked furiously, and I knew she was fighting back tears.
