“So, how’s it going with Ben?” Andrea asked.
“Everything is going great.” Marg smiled warmly at the thought of the man that took up considerable space in her thoughts.
It was Andrea’s time to smile knowingly. “Any idea when he’ll pop the question?”
Marg laughed. “Are you trying to tell me something?” she asked, giving Andrea the side eye.
“I wish,” Andrea replied. “I just think it’s going to be popped soon based on how much he’s been doing over the past couple of weeks.”
“What do you mean?” Marg asked, tilting her head to the side.
“Marg, think about it. You’re already loved by his family, most importantly by his children. He takes you on many dates, including all his office functions, and shows you off to his associates. I’m telling you, that’s a man smitten and preparing to pop the question,” Andrea reasoned.
“What about you, Miss I have a key to my boyfriend’s place that I can use anytime I want? Don’t you think that’s a foreshadowing of what’s to come?” Marg asked with her hands on her hips as she stared pointedly at Andrea.
“I know Donny’s proposing soon. There’s no question about that,” Andrea replied in a blaze tone, flipping her light brown hair over her shoulder.
“How do you know that?” Marg asked, rounding the desk to stand before her friend.
Andrea looked at Marg with a confident smirk. “I saw the ring.”
Marg’s brown eyes became saucers. Her lips morphed into a wide grin, and her eyes sparkled with glee. “Oh my, that’s wonderful, Drea. I’m so happy for you.” She drew Andrea into a hug.
Andrea laughed against her shoulders. “He hasn’t proposed yet. He doesn’t even know I saw the ring,” she expressed.
Marg pulled away from her. “How did you see it?”
“I went by his house to prepare for a special evening, and I accidentally found it tucked away in a drawer.”
Marg looked at her skeptically. “Are you sure it was an accident?”
Andrea averted her gaze and turned her lips into a smile. “Accident or not, that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.”
Marg chuckled. “You’re something else, but I am happy for you.”
“Thanks, Marg,” Andrea replied, appreciatively resting her hand on her arm.
Marg smiled back at her genuinely.
“Did I come at a bad time?”
Both women turned to see Ben standing by the entrance with a bright smile. Marg’s heart skipped a beat as the butterflies fluttered awake at the sight of him in a short-sleeved polo shirt that showed off his well-toned arms and a pair of jeans that indicated he did not miss leg days at the gym.
“Hi, cousin. We were just talking about you,” Andrea greeted with a sly grin as she stared from Marg to him.
“Oh really? Good things, I hope,” Ben cheesed.
“Of course. It had something to do with your knees.”
“Drea,” Marg whispered in a warning.
“But that’s a conversation for next time,” Andrea finally said, a hint of a promise in the depths of her blue eyes.
“I’ll be counting on that,” Ben returned, looking from his cousin to her.
Marg averted her eyes as she flushed in the presence of his stare.
“I’ll leave you two lovebirds and go find Susie,” Andrea said, heading for the grand staircase to search for their part-time receptionist/housekeeper.
