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JACKSON
ONE YEAR AGO…
Sitting inside of our favorite Chinese restaurant, I look over the menu as I wait for Rory. She called earlier this afternoon and said she had some news to tell me. I told her it was kind of ironic because I have some news of my own that I need to share.
“Sorry I’m late.” She slides into the booth across from me and pours herself a cup of tea. “I stopped by my dad’s and lost track of time.”
“Don’t worry about it. I ordered those green onion pancakes you like.”
“Yes, thank you. I always forget they have those on the menu here now.” Rory twists her hair between her fingers before draping it over one shoulder. “I think I’m going to have the Mongolian beef. Are you getting orange chicken again?”
Her green eyes look up at me, and I smile. “Don’t act like you know me so well. I’m getting the general’s chicken this time.”
“Excuse me.” Rory chuckles. “Can I talk you into ordering it extra spicy?”
The two of us always end up sharing our entrées, so her request is not unusual. Thankfully, after years of sharing food with Rory, my tolerance for spice has gotten better. Now, I actually kind of like it.
“Yeah, I’m good with that.”
My eyes linger on her face as I try to figure out what her news is. Secretly, I’m hoping that she tells me she broke up with that douche, Brad. But if that were the case, I think she’d be the tiniest bit upset. Unfortunately. Despite my feelings for the guy, Rory actually seems to like him. Either way, I give their relationship another three to six more months, tops. The server drops off our pancakes and then takes our order. Once the small talk begins, I have to stop her.
“Rory, you’re killing me. What’s the news?”
I watch as she chews on her bottom lip, nervously.
“Promise me you won’t freak out or anything?” She slips her hand inside her purse and digs around for something. When she finds what she’s looking for, she pulls it out and places it on her left ring finger. Fuck me. “Brad proposed last night.”
Rory holds up her hand to show me the ring, and I feel the world around me go black. All I can do is stare at the diamond that takes up most of her finger. I swear I don’t even breathe for a solid minute or two. It isn’t until I feel her hand on top of mine that I snap out of it.
“Wow, I mean, wow.” I stumble through my words.
“I know, right? Honestly, I didn’t think Brad was the marriage type. He really surprised me last night.”
“He’s full of surprises, that guy.”
I fight the urge to remind her that Brad is full of bullshit, and that nothing he said in the past holds any truth in the present. Hell, this is the same guy who, when they first met, told her he didn’t believe in marriage and didn’t plan on having any children. Rory thinks she’s hit the jackpot, finally finding a guy who feels the same way she does. It’s just… Never in a million years did I think this would happen so soon and I’m worried. Next thing you know, he’ll be telling her he changed his mind about having kids, too. He’s just that type of guy. He says what she wants to hear and then uses the bait and switch to meet his wants and needs.
“Yeah, looks that way.” Rory is still looking at her ring, and it hits me that this is actually happening. I breathe in and push down all the pain I’m feeling. “Congratulations.”
“You’ll be my man of honor, right?”
“A man of what?”
Shit. I think I know exactly what it is she’s asking of me. The two of us have joked about this in the past, but now that the moment is here…
“You know. The person who stands at the altar next to me. They’re usually called maids of honor, but you’re a man, so you’ll be my man of honor.”
Since the moment I met Rory, all I’ve ever wanted to do is stand next to her at the altar in front of a reverend and all our family and friends. But I wanted to be standing there as the groom, not some bitch in a suit. I scrub my hands over my face and let out a deep sigh.
“Yeah, sure. I’ll be your man of honor.”
“Thank you.” Rory reaches across the table and gives me a tight hug. Discreetly, I breathe in her familiar scent of marshmallows and vanilla. When she finally pulls away, she takes a piece of green onion pancake and places it on my plate before grabbing her own. “Now, what’s your good news? Did you propose to Sharlyn?”
“Uh.” I hesitate. “No. We broke up.”
“Jackson, no. I really liked her. What happened?”
She was tired of feeling like she was always second best, and said that no matter what, she would never be my one true love. You know, the usual thing that happens with the women I seriously date.
“It’s no big deal. She wanted a bigger commitment than I was ready to give. You know me. Perpetual bachelor.”
