Come on! I’m ready for
a bottle of champagne.
Gosh! I need to pee! I place my phone on the top of the toilet paper dispenser and sit on the toilet to relieve myself. A couple of women come into the bathroom and go into the stalls on either side of me.
"Did you see that kiss?"
"Girl! It was HOT AS FUCK!"
"Yes, it was. Made me want a man who is swole with muscles."
"Me too! Do you know who he is?"
“That was d’Artagnan Dugan. I went to school with him."
"No way! "
"Yep."
"Why would he go in the military? He's worth a fortune."
"I don't know the details. He got into some trouble, but he's turned his life around."
"He went from jackass to badass."
They laugh, flush, open the doors, and wash their hands. "Maybe we've been hunting the wrong type of men."
"Yeah, let's go find us some badass heroes."
I wait until they leave, then I flush and prepare myself to face my badass hero. I want to know what the heck is going on here. I take my phone and reply to d'Artagnan's text.
Chapter 13
d’Artagnan
My phone vibrates, and I open it to find Rapunzel has responded to my text.
Who was this
ring meant for?
I press my lips together. Am I going to regret my impulsive reaction to seeing her looking like a beautiful bride-to-be? When the idea solidified, I acted. Perhaps, in hindsight, I should have been more patient and dated Rapunzel first. Now, I’m behind the curve bringing her on board.
Before I can respond, a manicured hand with bright, red nail polish covers my screen. Cathy asks, “Bubba! Are you watching the video of the proposal?”
Surprised, I answer, “No. What video?”
She holds her phone up, and I lean over to watch it.
“This is the best angle. It’s already gone viral.” She narrates on top of the video's narrator each element of the scene for me.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of hot pink. I look to see my beautiful princess strutting down the corridor with graceful confidence, and a single eyebrow cocked up just for me. She’s not letting this go.
When she arrives, Cathy says, “Zella, I was just showing Bubba the video.”
Rapunzel leans over her as if she’s looking at the screen too, but her eyes hold the unanswered question in them as she stares me down.
Just then, a group of women pass by and call out, “Congratulations.”
