“Oh, she’s coming,” my lookout says. Then he tosses me the wooden ring box that I picked up while I was in town. Thankfully no questions were asked. I checked out the diamond rings, purchased one, and went on with my life. Now, if it was Theresa selling it to me, that would have been a completely different story. I know people like her; they spread news around like it’s freaking water.
I spot Renley approaching so I get into position, plaster on a smile, and say, “Now remember, I’m butchering this, so help a guy out.”
“I got you.”
Preparing for that classic glare of hers, I steel myself as she gets closer and looks up. When her eyes fall on me, irritation crosses her features as I get down on one knee.
“What are you doing?” she asks, her voice angry and tired at the same time.
“What does it look like I’m doing?” I ask, attempting to let my eyes shine in the setting sun.
“It looks like you’re proposing.”
Perceptive. I like that about her. “That would be correct.” Okay, here goes nothing. “Riley?—”
Her expression falls flat, while Rupert jumps in right on cue. “It’s Renley. Her name is Renley.”
Acting shocked, I say, “Oh shit, you’re right.” Plastering on that charming smile again, I try another time. “Pardon me. Renley Henrietta?—”
“My middle name isnotHenrietta.”
Didn’t think so, but this is all for effect.
“It’s not?”
“No. It’s not.”
“What is it?”
She folds her arms over her chest. “It’s Lynn.”
“Lynn?” I test the name out on my tongue, mulling it over. “Are you sure? Because Lynn doesn’t sound right.”
“I’m positive. It’s Lynn.”
“Well then, my mistake.” Clearing my throat, I continue, hoping she doesn’t just shoot her leg forward right into my dick out of frustration. “Renley Lynn Gosling, will you do me the honor?—”
“Gossage.”
I hold back my laugh as I contort my expression into confusion, because I know exactly what I’m doing. “Huh?”
“My last name is Gossage.”
I stand from my bent-knee position and look her dead in the eyes. “Now you’re fucking with me. It said on your profile that your last name is Gosling. Like Ryan Gosling.”
“No, it didn’t. It said Gossage, like Goose Gossage.”
“Who the hell is Goose Gossage?” That feels like a made-up name.
“This is very romantic,” Rupert says off to the side, adding in just the right amount of tension that I knew I could count on him for.
Ignoring him, she says, “Richard Michael Gossage, also known as Goose, was a pitcher for the Yankees.”
“Oh.” I dismissively shake my head. “I don’t do sports, sweetheart.”
Her eyes trail down my body. “Yeah, I could tell from the leather tassel on your loafer.”
Going in for a low blow, okay. Don’t blame her. I’ve irritated her all day, but…to go for the tassel? Come on now. “These are Berlutis.”
