Chapter 50
Maybe it wasn’t too late to win Jayna back. Derek had no idea how he would accomplish it, though. He wasn’t a grand gesture kind of guy like Nick, who’d planned the surprise wedding for Piper. Nor was he a spill-his-guts, wear-his-heart-on-his-sleeve type like his twin. He never gushed poetic. In fact, he didn’t possess a single romantic bone in his body.
But Jayna wasn’t the sweep-her-off-her-feet kind of girl. Flowers and romantic gestures would be wasted on her.
So, how did a jaded, unromantic guy woo an equally jaded, unromantic soul like Jayna? For starters, he shouldn’t use the word ‘woo’. Jayna would call him out on that word choice.
Somehow, he ended up in Leighton’s store. Was he looking for inspiration, motivation, or advice? Possibly all three. He wasn’t sure. But he was relieved that his relationship with Leighton was comfortable enough to stroll into her store and ask for her help.
Scratching his head, he stood in front of the shampoo display. There were eight different varieties on the shelf. He unscrewed the lid of each one, inhaling. Bottle number five made him smile. Coconut, vanilla, pineapple. It smelled like a tropical beach vacation where the waves crashed in and the Pi?a Coladas flowed. Sunshine and fun. It reminded him of Jayna. He gathered up all twelve bottles of Summer Beach Vacay off the shelf.
Leighton didn’t lift an eyebrow as he set them on the checkout counter. She simply rang up the sale, giving him the family discount.
“That’s a lot of shampoo. Never pictured you as the Summer Beach Vacay shampoo type.”
“It isn’t for me. ”
Now she did quirk a brow. “Really?”
He side-eyed her. “It’s for Jayna.”
“Ah.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Aren’t you going to ask why I’m buying shampoo for Jayna?”
“No.”
Leighton was making it very difficult to ask for her advice. “Fine. I’ll tell you why.”
“I didn’t ask.”
“It’s pretty good!”
She chuckled. “Okay, I’ll bite. Why are you buying a dozen bottles of shampoo for Jayna?”
“Because she’s not the dozen roses type.”
Leighton shook her head. “What? Have you been roof drinking again?”
“No!” Damn, she was making this difficult. “I’m purchasing a dozen bottles of the same shampoo because Jayna is indecisive. She never uses the same shampoo scent, and it drives me crazy. She needs to commit to a scent and stick with it.”
Leighton nodded. “Gift bag or basket? Your choice.”
His brow furrowed. “What I want is advice.” Seriously, was she clueless? “What should I do?”
“A basket.”
He groaned. “I don’t want advice on paper or plastic. I need advice about Jayna.”
Leighton placed both her hands on the counter. “About Jayna’s indecisiveness?”
“Leighton! It’s about getting Jayna to agree to commit to me.”
Leighton’s mouth dropped open. “Seriously?”
“Yeah!” First, Tommy had questioned his ability to win over Jayna. Now Leighton was. Or were they questioning his ability to settle down? He pulled out the little black box.
“Is that a ring?”
“Yeah!” he muttered. “It’s what a guy uses to propose to a woman. That’s why I’m here. I need advice on how to do it.”
“So, this isn’t about shampoo?” Leighton asked .
He blew out a breath. “No, it’s not about shampoo! How can I get Jayna to agree?”
Leighton pulled a basket off the shelf behind her and filled it with pink shredded paper. She carefully arranged the bottles of shampoo, stuck in a candle, and sprinkled rose petals around. “Give me the ring.”
He handed over the black box, and she tucked it in the center. Pulling a large sheet of cellophane from the roll behind her, she wrapped it around the basket and tied it with a large red bow. “Give her the basket and have her open it. Then, when she pulls out the ring, drop to one knee and ask her to marry you. Just don’t act like your normal idiot self.”
“That’s it? That’s your advice?” He gaped at her. Don’t act like his normal idiot self. Fantastic!