Chapter 34 #2
“How many parties must consent to you recording their conversation for a television broadcast?” Warren asked.
I raised an eyebrow. “That is a trick question. Florida is a two-party state, but it doesn’t matter how many parties are required for regular conversations. The broadcast standard is - two.”
“Correct.” Warren beamed at me. “Two for you.”
That dazzling smile warmed my soul. He wanted me to win, but that wasn’t enough for me. He still owed me an apology, although I felt like caving in and kissing his face. But also maybe smacking his arm for making me wait for it.
“What is the national animal of Scotland?” I asked.
He snort-laughed. “The Unicorn.”
“Two for Warren,” I called to Ziggy as murmurs built in the crowd. It seems I wasn’t the only one who didn’t know that.
Warren pursed his lips, and I saw the wheels turning for my third question.
Maybe he was throwing softballs my way, to begin with, to make me lower my guard.
Or maybe he wanted to embarrass me more in front of Pleasure Point.
As it stood, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to stay on the island after everything that happened.
A sharp pain hit me in the chest at that thought.
I pressed my hand to my sternum and took a deep breath.
“Are you okay?” Warren whispered.
“Is that my third question?”
He smiled. “Yes. That is your third question.”
I wasn’t sure what he was getting at because how could there be a correct answer? My entire world had been flipped upside down since Sunday. It hadn’t even been a week, and here we were, smack in the middle of everyone and everything.
Was I okay? No. I was so fucking far from okay. I couldn’t even see Okay’s town outline.
“No, I am not okay,” I answered truthfully.
The light dimmed in his eyes, and the smile fell from his face. “I believe that is three for Avery.”
The pressure in my chest grew at the slump of his shoulders and the disappointment that shrouded him. I didn’t like where my mind was going for the third question, but maybe I wanted to push or punish him a little. I wasn’t quite sure.
“What is The Kivin Method?” I asked Warren.
His nostrils flared. He quickly glanced around the room to assess how many people were hanging on our every word. I could have saved him the trouble and told him - everyone.
If he wanted to apologize, he would have to work for it.
Warren’s eyes flicked to his parents before returning to me with a determination in them that caused me to shiver. “The Kivin Method is a type of cunnilingus where the giver positions themselves perpendicular to the receiver. Then, the giver eats out the receiver like a taco.”
June choked on a “What?” Don covered his eyes. Taney and Keegan let out a “Hell yeah!” Irv turned to Eula and murmured, “We should try that one. Put it on the list.” To which Eula immediately began typing on her phone.
“Did lawyer dude get that right, writer dudette?” Ziggy asked me.
I blushed. “Well, based on his performance, I believe that is correct.”
Pandemonium erupted inside the hall, but I paid no attention to them. I only watched Warren for signs of embarrassment. He stepped closer to me and slid his hands around my waist.
“I am sorry I did not tell you I loved you. Full stop.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Good start. Keep going.”
“I know it is ridiculous to say it was love at first sight because at first sight implies that it is only your looks that I loved. I was indeed attracted to you at first sight. But that is not when I knew I loved you. That came when I saw you in action helping your friend to save his business. You moved heaven and earth to help Thorn get out the paper, even though there was nothing in it for you. I fell in love with your generous heart and spirit then,” Warren whispered.
“However, being that I was a tongue-tied dolt, I did not have the words to express how I felt.”
A lump formed in my throat, and suddenly, two Warrens stood before me. “Okay.”
“When we were chatting on that app, I wished it was you the whole time. I wanted it to be you so badly,” Warren admitted. “And when you showed up at the flight school, I knew my prayers were answered. I was not sure what I did to deserve you, but I would fight to do everything to keep you.”
“You don’t have to fight, Warren,” I whispered.
“I do. I have to fight for us.”
“This isn’t a courtroom. You don’t have to argue,” I said.
He pressed his palm to my face. “This is the most important closing argument I shall ever make, my darling.” He brushed away an errant tear on my cheek.
“I am head over heels in love with you. I love your free spirit. I am in awe of your ability to make new friends wherever we go. I respect how you walk through life with integrity and speak up for those who cannot. You are it for me, Avery. You are my wife. And if we have to sign another set of paperwork to make it official, I will do it. I love you.”
I nodded but couldn’t form any words.
That’s when I realized the auditorium had gone stockstill again.
“That was beautiful, Warren,” June cried. Don tried to comfort her, but she dissolved into sobs on his shoulder.
“Bout time, Atwell,” Thorn grunted as he thumped his chest and hastily swiped a tear from his eye.
“It seems we are tied with our trivia contest,” Ziggy said through the microphone. “Each of you gets a truth or a dare to the other.”
Warren scanned me from head to toe. “Why are you not wiping away your tears, my love? I dare you to show me your left hand.”
I had shoved my left hand in my pocket when Warren showed up at game night. I didn’t want him to see that I was still hung up on him, but did it matter anymore? What game was I playing right now?
My throat felt raw as I let him pull my hand into the light, revealing that I still wore the wedding ring.
“Yes!” Joy hissed behind me.
A few people laughed, but everyone went deathly silent again.
The pounding of my heart was loud in my ears. I looked at Ziggy, who nodded his encouragement. He had the clear-eyed look of the pulled-together former owner of the nudist colony, not the blissed-out stoner character he played daily.
“Okay, Warren. I have a dare for you.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Anything.”
“I dare you to marry me.”