He hums thoughtfully, then speaks mostly to himself, “So, you’re in a relationship with Aubrey?” I offer a single nod, unsure how much else to divulge, since I’ve already offered a word-salad of secrets already. “I’ve met her a few times, and she doesn’t strike me as the kind of woman who would accidentally become pregnant.”
“You’re correct,” I agree with a soft laugh. “She did IVF before coming to the summit. The child won’t be biologically mine, but I plan on raising our daughter as my own all the same.”
“A baby girl,” he sighs wistfully. “I always wanted a girl. But if you two only met back in March, that’s only a few months…”
“I knew the day I met her that she was special. Aubrey had plans to do everything on her own. She doesn’t need me, which is probably why I fell in love with her so fast. We’re just waiting to make our relationship public until after Olivia’s wedding.”
“Isn’t that this weekend in Vegas? I’m sorry. If you can’t talk about it, I understand. I’ve heard rumors, but everything’s been quiet.”
“It isn’t a secret.” I shrug. “Photos should be surfacing this afternoon. Olivia and Isaac only invited their family, and a few close friends. I was invited too, but I’d have to find a dog sitter for the weekend. Also, I’d be tempted to elope myself if I went.”
Alejandro lets out a full laugh. “I may know a thing or two about impulsivity.”
It’s strange that he admitted that, because my whole life, I’ve never been impulsive; the one-night stand he had with my mother kept me from doing the same. Until I met Aubrey. “She’s only been gone for a few hours, and there’s already an ache in my chest. I could brush it off as love at first sight, but she’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a partner. If I knew she’d say yes, I’d ask her right now.”
Jameson sets our drinks down and asks, “Are you two ready to order? Or do you still need a few minutes?”
“A few minutes would be great, thank you,” Alejandro replies, and our server leaves. Once he’s out of earshot, he asks me, “Do you want to spend the rest of your life with Aubrey?”
It doesn’t take me even a single second to answer, “Yes.”
“Then ask her. I know I have no right to give you advice, but you only live once. I will never claim that I was in love with your mother—all I knew about her was her first name and that she’s Canadian when we met. But I don’t regret our one night together, because now you’re here. Everything happens for a reason. If that isn’t enough proof that fate exists, I don’t know what is.”
“I would if I could. I’d have to find a last-minute flight. I’d also have to find someone to watch my dog. Even then, there’s no harm in waiting until she’s home.”
He pulls out his phone and begins typing. “Lucky for you, I have transferable airline miles. If you leave now, you'll be able to catch the next flight.”
“What if she says no?”
“What if she says yes?” he counters.
“Then I’d marry her at the first chapel that had availability.”
“Exactly. Now, what kind of dog do you have?”
“She’s small, an Alaskan Klee Kai—like an Alaskan Husky but the size of a Chihuahua—but I can’t accept your offer.”
Continuing to type, he doesn’t glance up from his phone. “If you catch the 6 a.m. flight back home, you wouldn’t even be gone for a full day. If you trust me, I could watch your dog; it isn’t like she’s a Great Dane.”
“It’s okay, truly. You don’t need to watch her, I can propose when Aubrey’s back.”
Alejandro finally looks up. “Women like Aubrey and Olivia are special. They don’t need a grand gesture, but they deserve one. Olivia’s soon-to-be husband gave up being Prime Minister to be with her. Surprise Aubrey in Vegas. Show her with actions, not words, that you’re ready to begin the rest of your lives together today as husband and wife. Worst case is she might tell you no, but I’d put my money on her saying yes.”
Worst case is actually her telling me to fuck off, but what if he’s right? If I get on a plane, I could marry her tonight.“Okay.”
His smile is wide and it’s uncanny how much I look like him. “Good, because your tickets are taken care of and in your email.”
“You really didn’t have to do that. I don’t even have a ring.”
“Then buy one when you’re in Vegas or when you’re back in Sacramento.” Even with his phone right in front of him, hemakes a show of glancing at his watch. “Your rideshare will be here in less than two minutes.”
“What?” It comes out an octave higher than intended.
“Give me the key to your apartment and text me with instructions for your dog. Go get your girl.”
“Fuck it,” I mutter, pulling out the fob and handing it to him. “But I’ll see if Tracy can take over tonight.”
“Whatever you need, but when you’re back, I’d love to hear all about it. If not in-person, maybe a video call.”
