“And …” I have to swallow around the lump that’s risen in my throat. “And that’s enough for you?”
He leans forward, covering my hand with his. “Yes. More than enough. Marry me, Hailey.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Jason
Impeccable timing,I think when the waitress walks up right at the moment I ask Hailey to marry me.
Before Hailey can even answer, the waitress gasps, her hand covering her mouth. “Oh my god! Congratulations, you two!” She taps me on the shoulder. “Usually guys wait until dessert. Or let us know they’re planning to propose. You must be impatient! I’ll be sure to let the kitchen know so they can send out a special dessert!” She turns to leave, then stops. “Oh, sorry, I just wanted to see how your drinks are doing. Oh! I’ll bring champagne! And your food will be out soon.”
I give the waitress a smile of thanks, but my attention is still focused on Hailey. What the waitress seems to have missed is that Hailey hasn’t said yes. Well, that and the fact that this isn’t actually a romantic proposal. It’s a practical one.
Though if she wanted more than just practical …
After the waitress leaves, I keep my voice as low as possible while still being loud enough for Hailey to hear me. “Look, I know this probably sounds like a crazy solution.”
She scoffs. “Uh, ya think?”
Pressing my lips together, I nod. “But it’s the easiest and cleanest. If it’ll make you more comfortable, we can have a prenup. And when you’re established wherever and however you end up and can afford your own place and car and health insurance, we can get a quick divorce.” I know I need to say that, even though the words taste like ash. I plow forward, finishing up the little speech I planned out ahead of time. “No harm, no foul. In the meantime, you’ll have access to everything you need to get the life you want.”
She blinks at me, though this time it’s more owlish and less the shocked blinking as she vainly tried to process my proposal from a minute ago. I guess in that regard, maybe the waitress did us a favor because I was sure she was just going to reject my solution out of hand.
“How … I mean, what …?” Shaking her head, she pulls her hand out of mine and rubs the spot between her eyebrows. “You want to get married.”
“Yes.”
“What does that mean, exactly?”
“We go to the courthouse, do whatever paperwork, have a quick ceremony with the judge, and then we’re married. It’s just for practical purposes.”
“So I can get insurance.”
I smile and nod. “Exactly. Plus, it’ll be easy to get you on my credit card account that way too.”
“Oh, Jason,” she says, and I shake my head, cutting off her protest before she can voice it.
“Just think about it, okay? I know it’s a lot, and it feels out of nowhere. But you have to admit it solves a lot of problems.”
She presses her lips together, and I can’t tell if it’s supposed to be a smile or what, but at least it’s not an outright refusal.
“I want you to be happy,” I add, even though I was planning on letting the subject drop. For now. “I promised your brother I’d look out for you. I’m just trying to do that. And it’s obvious to me that no one else has. You should’ve gotten help from multiple sources, but since it’s all up to me, this is the best I have to offer.” A thought strikes me, and I hold up a hand. “And it’s just on paper, right? Like, yeah, you’ll live with me and have access to my stuff. But that’s it. You’ll have your own bedroom. I can even get you an apartment somewhere else if you insist. I’m not trying to be creepy or anything.”
Her head tilts to the side, and she narrows her eyes at me the way she kept doing the other night. That’s when I realize that she hasn’t looked at me like that at all today. Until now. She was starting to be comfortable with me, and I … well, I seem to have ruined that.
What other options do I have, though? I mean, I guess I could just send her money, but what are the odds she would take it? Or tell me if she needs more? And I don’t have any idea how to go about setting up an insurance plan for someone else …
This way, I’llknowshe has what she needs. Plus, she can get away from this place, the grind she has to do to survive here, all the memories she can’t escape … Maybe Hunter’s ghost won’t haunt her so fiercely in Seattle.
“So … you’re proposing this as a business agreement, essentially?”
“Exactly,” I say on a relieved breath.
Once again the waitress interrupts us, bringing our food. “Everyone in the kitchen is so excited for you two,” she says quietly. “Do you both like chocolate? Because we have a flourless chocolate torte with a raspberry sauce that is to die for. I was planning on bringing that out for you, along with the champagne, when you’re done with dinner.” She beams at bothof us. “Oh, I just love engagements. It’s so exciting.” To Hailey, she says, “Can I see the ring?”
Hailey flushes, and I step in. “We’re going to pick out a ring together,” I tell her smoothly. “Hailey’s a violinist, so I wanted to be sure to get something that won’t interfere with her ability to play.”
The waitress clasps her hands over her chest. “Oh, aren’t you so thoughtful.” Then to Hailey, in a whispered aside, “He’s a keeper.”
