Kate
No. You’re going to leave him alone. He’ll do it when he’s ready.
Assuming it’s still what he wants.
Chelsi
There will be zero spiraling tonight. It’s going to happen. Just sit back and enjoy the ride until it does. You know how much he loves you.
Kate
I do. I just thought tonight was the night. I’m half-tempted to propose to him.
I’m so ready to marry him that I’d go to a justice of the peace.
Chelsi
If you’re going to elope, then we’re going to Vegas, and Elvis is marrying you.
Kate
Maybe to Vegas. No to Elvis.
Chelsi
I’ll consider that a win.
Kate
Gotta go. He’s coming back.
“Checking work emails?” Jake asks as he sits across from me at our table.
We’re at my favorite restaurant in Nashville in one of the private rooms with no one else around. When you combine that with the spa day and the dress he had Addison get me, it’s no wonder I assumed tonight might be the night.
“No. Texting with Chelsi,” I reply, trying to sound completely unaffected by the lingering disappointment from the lack of a proposal.
“Huh. How is she doing? Anythinginterestingyou ladies were chatting about?” He arches his eyebrows with a sly grin on his face, like he knows exactly what we were talking about and wants me to admit it.
Not gonna happen.
“Just the usual Chelsi drama. Another one of her crazy first-date stories.” I maintain eye contact with him and smile.
“Eventually, she’s going to let me set her up. I swear I know the perfect guy for her.”
“Maybe one day. Right now, she’s in her asshole era. The more red flags, the more she’s interested.”
Jake shakes his head, then stands and holds out his hand for me. “Ready to go home, sweetheart?”
I nod, taking his hand and letting him help me up. At this point, I’m ready to go take a long soak in our tub and forget I ever thought I might be getting engaged today.
I’m quiet for most of the drive home, staring out the window, looking at the various Christmas light displays. Jake has talked a few times, but he’s been fairly quiet, too, almost like we both have a lot on our minds. I’m sure he’s probably thinking through the countless commitments he has after the holidays for the album rollout.
When we pull into the driveway, I notice all the lights are out, including the exterior landscaping ones. I turn to look at Jake, who appears to be as surprised as I am at the lighting situation.
“Do you think we lost power?”
“Must have,” he answers, turning off the truck.
