Feeling suddenly flirtatious, I couldn't help but tease, "The night wasn'tallbad."
Joel refused to be teased out of it. "I was so damn stupid."
Again, I pulled back. "Forget that. We've got a new beginning, right?" With total sincerity, I said, "And just so you know, with Cal, I think you're doing the right thing."
"Hell, I'm doing theonlything, because if something had happened to you…"
"But it didn't."
"I know. And it's not gonna." Finally, he smiled. "Because I won't let it."
As we made our way into the kitchen, Joel gave me some good news, followed by the opposite kind. The good news was that he could delay his departure until early the next morning. The bad news was, he'd be gone for at least a week, maybe even two.
My footsteps faltered. "Why so long?" I asked. "You're just helping him move, right?"
"Cal? Nah. He's not moving."
"Really? So why was he moving the dresser?"
"I dunno. I didn't ask."
Huh.That was weird. "So whatareyou helping him with?"
"Just some stuff out of town."
It felt like a non-answer, and in spite of my earlier relief, I had a terrible feeling about where this was going. Cal was a fighter. He had a broken leg. And now Joel was keeping some out-of-town commitment.
Standing at the kitchen counter, I began unpacking the bags, even as the questions piled up.Which town? And what kind of favor?
Finally, I just asked, "What aren't you telling me?"
Joel frowned. "What do you mean?"
I recalled the look on his face when I first walked in. I said, "Something's wrong, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Joel said. "The thought of leaving you…" He shook his head. "It made me wanna break his other leg."
Sweet or not, this felt like another non-answer. "Oh come on. You don't mean that."
"Wanna bet?" His gaze shifted to my hand, and he smiled. "I was gonna take you shopping tomorrow."
At this, I couldn't help but smile back. "Oh really? For what?"
"Youknowwhat." His gaze met mine. "If you want, I'll ask you all over again – this time,withthe ring."
I recalled my conversation with Cassie. It was her final comment that really hurt."You might be smiling now, but if you're not careful, you'll be crying before you know it."
It had been an awful thing to say, especially coming from Cassie, who'd always been so supportive. I didn't get it. She really liked Joel. Iknewshe did.
Would it make her feel better if Joel proposed all over again in a more traditional way? Maybe. But this wasn't about Cassie. This was about me and the guy I loved.
So I pushed all those doubts aside and told Joel with utter sincerity. "It was perfect the way it was, and I wouldn't change a thing."
He smiled. "Yeah?"
I nodded. "Definitely." I considered the situation with Cal. I still had those questions. Before the night ended, I was determined to get those answers. But first, I was dying to tell Joel about the endowment.
So, standing right there in the kitchen, I did – only to be further confused by his odd reaction.
