Chapter Forty-Five
Marcus
I ’m standing outside of a coffee shop downtown on a Wednesday afternoon, waiting for Audrey and Melonie. Gigi and I leave in two days for our extended weekend.
I’m going to propose this weekend.
Am I nervous, even though this is all fake? Yes.
But I’ve enlisted the help of the two people who know Gigi the best to make sure I get it right. When I told them my idea a month ago, they both shrieked and Audrey looked like she was going to cry, which made me uncomfortable, but it told me I was on the right track.
I see the two women walk around the corner, Melonie skipping over to me, giving me a hug. Audrey greets me with a fist bump and we head inside. We place our orders, I swipe my card, and once we have our coffees, we sit at a table.
Audrey pulls a binder out of her bag. “Okay, Marcus, we have everything booked. Resort, park tickets, all your special activities, photographer. Everything should be in your email.”
I take the binder from her, blowing out an anxious breath. “Do you think she’ll like it? It’s not too much, is it?”
Melonie shakes her head. “Marcus, it is so perfect. Just have tissues with you. She’s probably going to cry.”
“But she hates to cry.”
“Not when she’s happy.”
I nod. “I know she’s going to say yes. That’s our plan. But I’m still nervous.”
“Why are you nervous?” Audrey questions.
“I just want everything to go well for her. She’s doing so much to help me. I want her to feel special.”
Melonie places her hand on my arm. “Don’t worry, she will. I mean it when I say it, Marcus, this is absolutely perfect.”
“If you say so, I trust you.”
We finish our drinks, talking about Mills and Adam. I glance down at my watch and realize I need to get back to the office.
“I need to get back. Let’s organize dinner after we get back next week. I miss the kids.”
Audrey stands. “Sounds good. Just have fun with this, Marcus.”
“Thank you both again for helping with it all.”
“We’re happy to do it. I can’t wait to see the pictures!”
“And make sure you smile in them,” Audrey teases.
“I will.”
We walk out and start going our separate ways when I hear Melonie yell, “You got this, big guy!”
I look at the binder in my hands and hope that I do.