“We’ll be home this week and leave next Saturday. We’ve got a lot of last-minute packing to do,” she said.
“I don’t think that’s last-minute when today is a Saturday. That’s a week.”
“Itisfor me,” Debra returned. “I like to plan ahead.”
“Speaking of which: are you still planning on doing it?”
Debra smiled and said, “I have the ring packed already.”
“I’m really happy you two found each other,” Carrie replied and sipped her water.
“Me too,” Debra said. “And she has no idea, so please don’t tell Gage. I don’t think your girlfriend can keep a secret worth a damn.”
“Oh, she can. She just chooses not to sometimes.” Carrie shrugged. “But I love her. What can I say?”
“Is three weeks too long for a trip?”
“What? No way.”
“It’s just that Sharon got the job a month ago, but we’d already planned the trip. They gave her the time off, but she’s been worried that they might be upset about it now, or that it’ll hurt her trajectory there.”
“No, it’s not too long. And if they gave it to her, they gave it to her. Want me to talk some sense into her? She’s getting to spend three weeks with the love of her life in the English countryside. That’s the dream.”
“Not for everyone.”
Carrie laughed and said, “True.”
“What if she says no?”
“Why would she say no?”
“We just moved in together. It was a big move for her, and we’re still getting settled in, but when I saw the cottage we could rent now, I just had to go for it. I didn’t before, and I regretted it. I don’t want regrets with her.”
“She’s going to say yes,” Carrie assured. “She loves you. She wants to marry you.”
“But it’s–”
“Debra, she’ll say yes.”
“I was going to ask her midway through the trip so that we have time to celebrate our engagement there, but maybe I’ll ask at the end. That way, if she says no, it will just be a horribly long flight, but the trip won’t be ruined.”
“You’ll ask her in the middle, like you planned.” Carrie pointed at her. “She’s going to say yes.”
“Yes, to what?” Sharon asked as she walked up and immediately sat in Debra’s lap.
“Oh, you’re drunk.” Debra chuckled as she held on to her, looking up into her eyes.
“Tipsy, not drunk. We’re at a wedding. Come on, babe; dance with me. Hi, Carrie.”
“Hey.” Carrie laughed. “Go dance with your girlfriend.”
“Yeah, dance with your girlfriend,” Sharon said, looking at Debra.
“I think you’ll need me out there with you to keep you upright.”
“Oh, I’m not that bad,” Sharon said and stood. “I’m still wearing heels and not falling over. But if you expect to get me out of this dress tonight, you’ll dance with me right now.”
“You’re good,” Carrie whispered to Debra and winked at her. “I’m going to find my own girlfriend now. Have fun, you two.”
