“I don’t want to break up with him,” I rush to admit, rubbing at the pain in my chest. “The thought makes me equally ill and tearful.”
“Then you have your answer. Forget about proposals and weddings. It’s simply a case of the wrong time. But it doesn’t mean you’re with the wrong person.”
* * *
“Boo, Garrick is here,” Ellen says, poking her head through my bedroom door.
“Tell him I’ll be right there,” I say, stuffing the last of my toiletries in my weekend bag. “Do I look okay?” I ask before she leaves, running a hand over the front of my tight, short green and gold minidress. I have teamed it with a pair of knee-high leather boots, and my hair is in a half-up, half-down style that is very sixties. I went heavy on my eye makeup and pale on the lips.
“You look beautiful, like always.” She darts in and kisses me on the cheek. “Garrick is going to eye fuck the shizz out of you when he sees how sexy you look.”
“Is it too much for Nana’s birthday?”
“Are you kidding?” She cracks up. “Nana will love it.” Ellen hops from foot to foot, emitting a tiny squeal that is kinda weird.
I narrow my eyes at her. “What is wrong with you?”
“Nothing is wrong.” She’s practically bouncing off the walls now. “I’m just excited for you.”
“Okay.” I draw out the word. “Weirdo.”
“What’s taking so long?” Garrick asks, materializing in my room. “Wow.” His gaze roams appreciatively over me. “Baby, you look sexy as fuck.”
I give a little curtsy. “I aim to please.”
Garrick grabs me to him, smacking a loud kiss on my lips as he squeezes my ass. “You’re gorgeous, and I’m a lucky man.”
“You’re about to be a very lucky woman!” Ellen squeals, and I don’t miss how Garrick shoots daggers at her.
“What’s going on?” I ask, my gaze bouncing between them.
“Your bestie has no poker face.” Garrick leans around me to grab my bag. “Come on. I’ve got a surprise for you.”
The surprise is a new car. Some kind of flashy BMW SUV. I’m so stunned I can’t even form words. Ellen and Will are opening doors and oohing and aahing over it while Garrick stands in front of me, looking increasingly alarmed.
“You bought me a car?” I splutter, shock rendering my voice barely louder than a whisper.
“Yes.” He takes cautious steps toward me. “If you don’t like the color or the make or model, we can get you something else.”
“Why?” I stare at him as shock turns to anger. “Why did you buy me a car?”
“Because your car is on its last legs, babe, and I want you to have something safe for all the driving we’ll be doing on weekends.”
“I know my car has become unreliable, but it still drives fine.” It’s been in the garage a lot recently for one thing after another. “My plan was to save up to buy a car this summer.”
“Well, now you won’t have to.” He smiles as he hands me the keys. “Take a look inside. Sit behind the wheel. See what it feels like.”
“No.” I throw the keys back at him, rubbing at a tense spot between my brows. “I can’t let you buy me an expensive car, Garrick.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Because it’s too much! We’ve not even been dating a year!” I throw my hands in the air.
“Who gives a fuck how long we’ve been dating?” he shouts, my anger sparking his. “You’re going to be my wife one day, and I want to know you’re safe. Why does everything have to be such a big fucking deal with you? Most girls would be knocking me to the ground and dry humping me by now. But not you. You have to give me shit for doing something nice. What the hell is your problem?”
I shove my finger in his chest. “My problem is, I can buy my own fucking car! I don’t need you bankrolling my future, Garrick! You know I like to be independent. Why is this such a surprise to you?”
“Maybe because I thought we’d moved beyond all this bullshit over my money, but I can see I was wrong.”
