Page 247 of Promising You
“So you never have to be part of that group? You’re out for good?”
“I’m out for good. In fact I think they were kind of glad to get rid of me.”
I hug him. “Garret, you should’ve started with that.”
“Instead of the proposal?”
“Yes. Well, no. Whatever. It doesn’t matter. You’re finally free from them! We need to celebrate. You want some more champagne?” I sit up and reach for our glasses.
“Actually we have dinner waiting. We should probably get down there.”
“Down where?”
“To our place. Sean made us dinner. By the way, I told him what was going on last semester and how I wasn’t really acting that way. I gave him the same story we gave Harper and Frank. So Sean’s no longer mad at me. Anyway, Harper’s setting everything up on the deck so we can eat outside. She says it’s our engagement dinner.”
“What if I’d said no?”
“When you were checking out your ring, I texted her with your answer so she’d know whether to do this or not. But I had a feeling you might say yes.” Cue the cocky smile. “Let’s go eat.”
We walk down the beach to a two-story condo with windows all along the back. Harper is on the deck, barefoot and wearing a short white sundress, her bright blond hair held back with a glittery silver headband. She runs down on the beach and hugs me, kicking up sand everywhere.
“Congratulations! I’m so happy for you guys!”
She hugs Garret, too. “Sean has everything ready. He’s just keeping it warm in the oven.”
Sean comes out from the other condo wearing a light blue, button-up shirt and white shorts, already tan from being here a few days. “Congratulations, Jade.” He gives me a hug, then goes up to Garret and shakes his hand. “Bet you feel better now that she said yes.”
“Sean,” Harper scolds.
“What? Like she didn’t know he was nervous as hell? Every guy is.”
“You were nervous?” I ask Garret, laughing a little. “You, Mr. Cocky Smile? Mr. I-Knew-You’d-Say-Yes?”
He shrugs. “Maybe a little. But not as much as Sean’s making it sound like.” He pretends to be annoyed with Sean, but he’s not. I can tell they’re back to being friends.
“Ready to eat?” Sean asks.
Harper moves closer to me so the guys won’t hear. “Garret invited Sean and me to eat with you two, but if you want to have a romantic dinner without us, we totally understand.”
“Don’t be crazy. You guys are having dinner with us. This is our first night here together and we have a lot to celebrate.”
She hugs me quick. “Okay, then I’ll pour the drinks. Go inside and check out your place.”
I grab Garret’s hand and pull him toward the door. “Come on. Give me a tour.”
He picks me up and carries me through the door.
“You’re not supposed to do that until we’re married.”
“I’m practicing.” He carries me past the living room and goes straight up the stairs.
“I missed the whole downstairs. Where are you taking me?”
“To our bedroom.” He goes down a short hallway into the bedroom and sets me down on a king-size bed that’s covered in white cotton linens. The room has warm wood floors and light-colored furniture. There’s a tall dresser along one wall and a nightstand on each side of the bed. Windows line the back wall. The windows are open and the cool ocean breeze is blowing in. You can hear the waves crashing on the shore.
“What do you think?” he asks.
I stretch out on the bed. “I think this can’t possibly be real. It’s too great.”
