Page 62 of Forever Mine
“Did I tell you,” David begins, taking a huge bite out of his burger, “that Shawn is going to pop the big Q to Yo?”
“That’s awesome news. I’m trying to figure out when to ask Julien.”
“Ask him what?”
I swipe a fry through some mustard oozing out from under the hamburger bun. Liz used to love her fries drenched in mustard. I wonder if she still does.
“To marry me.”
David’s smile falters for a split second, so brief that I’d miss it if I wasn’t looking right at him.
“You’re… proposing?”
Trying not to talk with food in my mouth, I take a large swallow of tea. “Soon. I hope.”
I want to come up with something really romantic. Maybe something under the stars. Julien and I had a great time on our Valentine’s stargazing outing at the botanical gardens.
David’s expression shifts, a complex mix of emotions playing across his features. His returning smile seems forced and doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Wow, that’s… that’s huge.” He pushes his plate away and clenches his hands together on the table. “Marriage is a big commitment. Alifecommitment. Are you sure you want to tie yourself down like that now?”
My excitement dims slightly at his reaction. “Julien’s the one. I can’t imagine my life without him.”
“You can’t be sure he’sthe one. How many guys have you dated? Just him. One person. One.”
I frown at the single finger he holds up.
“The number of people someone dates or sleeps with makes no difference. Not when it’s the right person.”
Darci comes back over, and David glowers at her.
“We’re good,” he snaps.
“Refill on your tea?” she asks, even though both our glasses are mostly full.
“A little privacy would be nice.”
She didn’t like that one bit. Going back to the bar to pick up an order, she shoots daggers in our direction while delivering the food to the booth next to ours.
“Why are you acting like a jerk?”
David looks down, his voice barely audible over the encompassing noise. “You don’t know that Julien is the one.”
“Yes, I do.”
“He doesn’t deserve you.”
Starting to get royally pissed, I ask, “Why would you say that?”
David finally lifts his gaze, pain seared over his face. “You deserve the world, and I don’t think he’s the man to give it to you.”
My temper makes a rare appearance. Julien is my world. He’s not perfect, but he’smyperfect.
“Who then? You? Is that what you’re saying?”
David flinches but doesn’t back down. “Maybe. Actually, yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
Why is he doing this? David knows how much I love Julien. I’ve also made it very clear to David that friendship is the only thing I can offer him, and I know damn well that I haven’t done or said anything to make him think otherwise.
