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“I want a pet,” I whispered, still staring into his eyes.
“What type of pet?” He ran his fingers through my hair. “Something that doesn’t need that much attention from you, I hope.”
“A dog.” I smiled. “A grey and white Siberian Husky.”
“That’s very specific.”
“My parents never allowed us to have anything living in the house unless it was a plant,” I said. “One Christmas, after Sarah Kay and I begged for a puppy, they led us outside and promised to give us the best alternative.” I paused. “It was a framed picture of a German Shepherd. That was as close as we ever got.”
“You know that your parents are assholes, right?”
I laughed. “They always have been.”
“Do you have a name picked out for the dog already?”
“No, but it’s needs to be something short and cute. I’ll let you pick, since I picked everything else.”
“Noted.” He let out a breath. “I need to talk to you about something, but I don’t want to do it here. You feel like taking a ride?”
“Always.”
He smiled and pulled me up. Then he grabbed my hand and walked me down the deck. Showing me inside the white boat, he helped me into a life vest and untied the boat from the posts.
I sat next to him as he drove across the sparkling waters, wondering if this was going to be the “I know you’re the one” type of proposal I’d been dreaming about.
When we approached his house, I took my spot in the swing he’d made me.
Settling next to me, he grabbed my hands and looked into my eyes. “I got offered a once in a lifetime opportunity,” he said, his eyes bright and hopeful. “One of my clients made me apply to his alma mater and I got in. He said a few words to the admissions team and they’re going to award me a full scholarship in his name.”
I blinked, unsure of what to say. “I didn’t know you wanted to go to business school.”
“I always have,” he said, caressing my hands with his fingertips. “I never thought I’d be able to afford it on my own, so I didn’t try. I mean, I knew my former grades and experience would get me in, but I would never borrow or take any…” His voice trailed off. “I always said I would only go if I was paying for it or if I received a scholarship.”
“Oh.”
“Oh?” He smiled. “That’s all you have to say?”
“Which school is it?” I forced myself to smile.
“Wharton School of Business. It’s in—”
“Pennsylvania,” I finished the sentence for him. It was one of the most prestigious schools in the country, and plenty of my peers had bragged about getting past their nine percent acceptance rate. “It’s on the East Coast.”
He nodded, still smiling, as if this was the best thing ever. “It’s a new, special program. I’ll be in the first cohort.”
“You’ve already accepted their offer, and planned how you’re getting there?” I asked.
“Yeah,” he said. “My neighbor is starting college early this summer and she’ll be staying in the dorms, but she said she’ll come back here every other weekend to put away my mail and look out for the place,” he said, taking a key from his pocket and handing it to me. “You’re welcome to come here anytime, though.”
I swallowed. I selfishly wanted him to stay here and be within reach forever, but deep down, I knew that wasn’t fair. I also knew that I couldn’t bear to ask any more questions, at least not right now.
“Congratulations, James.” I looked into his eyes. “I’m proud of you.”
“Thank you.” He pulled me close and kissed me thoroughly, running his fingers through my hair. “I want to be the best man I can for you, when I ask you to marry me.” He sighed. “I’d ask you today, but …” He shook his head. “I need to make sure I’m able to provide for you—Well, us, for the long term.”
“We can just use my inheritance.”
He looked at me like I was crazy. “You know I would never accept that from you or anyone else.”
“It’s free money.”
“It’s unearned money.” He shook his head. “I prefer to work for mine, and you know that.”
“I know.” I held back a sigh. “Are you going to torture me with the details now or later?”
“Later,” he said, pulling me up. “Let’s go to my bedroom and get you in a better mood first …”
HE FED ME THE DETAILS in small doses over dinner, cracking a piece of my heart one sentence at a time.
The program would start in three weeks, and he had enough money to sustain himself for at least three years—just in case it took him longer to complete the program than he thought. He would be living in a shared brownstone with a few other business majors, and they’d make overseas trips together for the first year—to study global markets and try to figure out what business they wanted to pursue the most.
