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I thank the mohawk guy and promise to be right back.
Uh oh. Is he jealous? He’s usually pretty cool about this stuff.
Jeez. He actually looks annoyed.
He’ll get over it. I’m beaming to see him again so soon. Does that make me a dork? Probably. But he’s so hot with such an overwhelming presence that I can’t help myself.
“Castor Oil.” I’m careful not to use my pet-name too loud, since his friends are starting to pile in.
“Hey, kid. Listen. I need to speak to you for a minute.”
Oh no… Something’s off. Now what?
“Um, is everything okay?” My brow furrows.
Before I can ask anything more, his hand is clasped in mine and he’s dragging me out the restaurant. I wave to Ratchet and Ace on the way, then blink in quick succession when a blast of hot air smacks me in the face.
“Walk with me,” he says, acting all funny.
“Is it about the shot? I have to play the part sometimes, Castor. You know—”
He grabs me by both shoulders and kisses me hard on the lips. We’re a quarter down the block from Bangos, out of sight behind a tree.
“That was… nice. Wait—You want to go a third time? Here?”
He laughs in my face. “I love you.”
It feels like a vat of morphine was just poured into my veins. “Love you too.” I smile up at him. “So, what’s the big idea?”
“On the way to the event, I was thinking… if I don’t make an honest woman out of you soon, somebody else might.”
My body short-circuits.
What did he just say?
Before I can register the words, he’s bending down on one knee. I’m wondering if that shot was filled with Absinthe or something. Am I hallucinating? Shit… here come the tears.
“Gia Maria Castellano, since the moment you became of age, I thought you were beautiful. In the old country, I would’ve put a deposit on you to be wed.”
We both laugh at the ludicrousness of that, but he holds it together.
“Then, some years later, I find you again at this restaurant, which apparently hires goddesses. You were off-limits for so long, it felt impossible to make a first move. But on that day five months ago, I’m glad I did. I took my licks and my punches, nearly got me killed even, but, I’m glad I fucking did.”
My hands are shaking as I struggle to keep him in focus. Is this really happening?
“You complete me, Gia. There’s no truer statement in the goddamn world. If you say yes, I’ll pamper you, I’ll love you, I’ll do anything and everything to keep you safe. And you best bet I’ll keep you satisfied.” He winks at me, which gives me some more jitters. “Gia, make me the happiest guy in the world. Will you… marry me?”
He opens a box to a gold-lamented emerald cut diamond that shines even in the dark. It’s gorgeous.
My head is so light I wonder if it will float away. I’m hypnotized by him, it, everything. After a few seconds of shock, I find the will to unfreeze and nod yes. “Of course, Castor. Of course I will.”
As soon as he slips the ring on my finger – which perfectly fits – I jump on him and kiss him a hundred times.
“Best day of my life!” I’m staring at the ring as he picks me up. “Ugh, it’s gorgeous.”
He takes a few steps away from the tree. “Okay, koala bear, off. C’mon, let’s go back to Bangos. I want to show off my new fiancée to some friends before we get out of here to celebrate.”
“Can I call my mom? Oh God, Marco is going to flip, or maybe he’ll actually be happy for us.”
