After a long, suspenseful pause, he said, "The first time was the day youthoughtyou got fired."
I blinked. "Really?"
"Really. I had this big thing planned for after that meeting with Vince."
"What kind of thing?"
"Dinner, flowers." He gave a small laugh. "Some guy with a violin." His voice softened. "And, the ring. I'd just picked it up when I saw you with Trey in my office."
His story was so sweet that I felt my insides go evenmorewarm and gooey, as if that were remotely possible.
"But wait," I said, recalling something Trey had told me that very same day. "I thought you were shopping for a car."
He grinned. "Engagement present."
"Wait. Do you mean, uh…"
"For you."
It wasn't the first time Jake had tried to buy me a car. And I had the flattering feeling that it might not be the last.
Still, I hear myself say, "Isn't that a little extravagant?"
"Yup."
I laughed. "Honestly, I'm not sure what to say to that."
"Good," he said, "because it's in your parking spot right now."
He looked so happy, and yeah, just a little bit smug, that I couldn’t bring myself to object.
Still, I did feel a little guilty. First there was the ring, and now the car, and then, the best thing of all – him.
What wasIbringing to all this?
I had to say it. "But I didn't get you anything."
"Wrong," he said. "You got me you."
"But that's nothing, I mean, not in the gifty way."
"Wrong again." His voice grew softer. "It's everything."
I felt myself smile. "No.You'reeverything. Everything I ever wanted."
But then, I felt my smile fade as I recalled everything else that had happened on that horrible day – multiple fights, my stupid walk, and the tension afterward.
Had all of that caused Jake to have second thoughts? I didn't want to ask, but I didn't want to wonder, either.
I tried to make a joke of it. "So, you almost changed your mind, huh?" I forced a small laugh. "With all our fighting, I guess I can see why."
But Jake wasn't laughing. "Let's get one thing straight," he said. "The only thing that changed was the timing."
Relief washed over me. "Really?"
"Really." He gave me a playful squeeze. "After all, I wanted you to say 'yes.'"
Laughing now in earnest, I gave him a mock push to the chest. "As if there was any doubt." I paused. "So about that bet with my brothers,that'sthe reason you pickedthatday?"
