Chapter 97: PLANNING THE PERFECT PROPOSAL PART 2
Lace.
I am just thinking of Dean when phones me at around eight a.m. on the next morning.
“Hey,” I greet while waves of emotion wash over me at the sound of his voice.
“Hey.” He pauses. “Do you want to hang out?”
“Yes!” I reply without even thinking about what I should be doing for the rest of the day. My agent called yesterday and requested I write another short story. Alison’s and my book series is due to be released in three weeks. Our preorders are through the roof. At this point I don’t even want to monitor the online buzz about our books because I don’t want to freak myself out. What if I am never able to write something so popular again?
“I’ll pick you up at around eleven-ish if you’re not too busy. I’m just going to sort a few things out,” he says, breathing hard.
“Were you just working out?” I ask him.
“Something like that,” he says and laughs. “My bedroom is upstairs here. I forgot my phone then I realized I forgot my wallet, and lastly I realized that I forgot the keys to my truck. So yeah, it was a workout.” He takes a long breath. “But nothing will ever work me out the way you do,” he says, his voice roughening with desire.
I giggle. “Thanks.” At least I know I am capable of fucking him out of his mind.
His mother shouts for him. “I’ll see you later.” He hangs up. I put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, grab my purse decide to go to a few craft shops this morning. I have a story due but I need a break from writing so maybe I will spend the morning making bead bracelets. I used to love making them when I was a kid.
“Hey, honey.”
“Hey, mom. Where are you off to?” My mother is dressed in a fancy pantsuit, she has on her glittering diamond and necklace set and she even has makeup on.
My mother’s face flushes. My father joins her before she answers.
“Good morning, Dad.” My father is also dressed in his best suit and has on his designer, handmade leather shoes. What’s going on? Did I miss something?
“Good morning, Lace.” He glances guiltily at my mother.
“You two really look awesome,” I say casually.
“Thank you,” my father replies, “we’re off to a business breakfast.” He grabs my mother’s hand. “We should be on our way.”
My parents rush out before I can say anything else. That’s weird. My parents have never been the secretive type and it’s not even our birthdays yet. Ryan, Amethyst and I share the same birthday month. They’re definitely up to something. Maybe, my mother is signing a new book or show deal and needs my father with her to scrutinize the contract. My mother loves announcing her latest book or show over a fancy dinner. Whatever, it is, I am sure I will find out soon.
***
Dean.
I am so terrified as I drive behind my parents on our way to the club. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins will be joining us for a breakfast meeting. I decided I couldn’t wait until lunch. I want to propose to Lace as soon as possible. If her parents give me their blessing, then I will discreetly take Lace shopping and try to determine her ring size and the type of jewelry she likes. But first I need to impress Lace’s parents. Her father, Edward Higgins is a genius – he is a practicing attorney, a qualified surgeon, and, a writer. Her mother is a world-famous chef and a writer. I hope I am able to impress her genius parents. I could tell that my parents were nervous too at meeting her parents. I mean, anyone would be intimidated at the thought of meeting Lace’s parents. I just hope that they consider me worthy enough to marry their daughter.
I drive behind my parents on the way to the Elite Crane and pray that the morning meeting with her parents turns out the way I want it to. My parents lead me to the executive suite which they have booked for our breakfast. Lace’s parents aren’t here yet. I panic. What if they changed their mind after doing a little research on me and decided they didn’t want their daughter to marry someone like me? My heart races like it's running a marathon. I hope that the recent news of Jason’s relationship with me and Dana doesn’t impact negatively on my first meeting with Lace’s dad.
After what seems like an eternity, the head waiter leads Dr. and Mrs. Higgins to our table. I stand up first to greet them and then realize that my armpits are soaking with sweat. Drat! That only happens when I am as nervous as hell.
“Good morning, Dr. Higgins, Mrs. Higgins.” My mouth dries up as I greet them. I am usually far more confident than this. Who knew that deciding to marry Lace would turn me into a nervous wreck? I guess I deserve it. I have been confident my entire life. Someone had to humble me. I am glad it was Lace.
My parents exchange greetings and we take our seats. I am aware of their silent questions, their curiosity and their scrutiny.
“I know you are a busy man, Dr. Higgins,” my father says, “I don’t want to keep you too long. My son has something very important to ask you.”
I count to ten as all eyes turn on me.
“I…” my mind goes blank.
My father squeezes my hand. “It’s okay.”
I nod and take a few deep breaths before speaking. “Dr. and Mrs. Higgins, I love Lace very much and I would like to ask your permission to propose to her.”
There is silence all around the table. Dr. Higgins stares at me like I’ve just asked him to hand over his latest paper on the advancement of stem cell regeneration.
“What if I say no?” Dr. Higgins asks me after a few moments of deathly still silence.
I look straight into his eyes and tell him the truth. “I will ask Lace to elope with me.” It is the truth. “I have no intentions of living the rest of my life without her.”
Her mother smiles at my answer. My own mother looks at me, shocked.
“Well,” Dr. Higgins says, “I appreciate your honesty. And seeing as my daughter is quite the romantic, I am sure she will agree to elope with you.”
I stare at her father. “Does this mean…?” I cannot bear to finish the sentence.
“Mean what?” he asks and looks right back at me.
“That you are saying no?” I ask, heartbroken. Her parents’ blessings mean the world to me.
Lace’s mother bursts out laughing. “He spent all night practicing,” she says, between fits of laughter. Dr. Higgins too chuckles.
“I had you all there, didn’t I?” Dr. Higgins says.
A waiter arrives with champagne.
“Yes, Dean. You have our blessings to propose to my daughter,” he says.
“My heart,” I murmur, as my father pops the champagne and toasts to us. I never anticipated Dr. Higgins messing with me. I swear I got such a shock that I ordered a slice of caramel cake and the sweetest black coffee to soothe my frazzled nerves. I cannot afford to meet Lace looking and feeling like a mess.
“So when are you planning on proposing to my daughter,” Dr. Higgins asks.
“This Sunday,” I reply. My butterflies return. “I am going to need your help. I am having a gown specially made for Lace, and I will need your help to convince her to wear it on Sunday.”
“I can arrange that,” Lace’s mother says.
“Thank you.”
“I hope everything goes according to your plan,” Lace’s father says.
I hope so too, I pray silently. I want this proposal to be perfect for the woman of my dreams. She turned my life around. Our breakfast with Lace’s parents ends on a high note. My parents and soon-to-be parents-in-law decide to stay until lunch at the Elite Crane. I rush to pick Lace up.
Lace is waiting outside when I arrive. Her smile brightens p my day and I forget all about my earlier nervousness when I met her parents and asked for her hand in marriage.
“How was your morning?” she asks me after kissing me softly on my lips.
“Amazing,” I reply. I can’t find the right words to describe just how happy I am that her parents have given me their blessings to marry her.
“Do you have any special plans for today?” she asks me.
Oh, you won’t believe what my plans are, I almost reply. I cannot wait to see the look on her face when I drop to my knees on Sunday morning and ask her to be my wife. “I thought we could go shopping,” I tell her, “I haven’t bought myself any new clothes in a while and I know that most of your clothes are back at the old apartment.”
“Ooh,” Lace squeals, “this is the perfect date.”
I laugh. “I didn’t know you could get so excited about shopping.”
“That’s because you didn’t give me a chance to think about shopping when you moved in and seduced me with your hot body,” she tells me, “I cannot wait. Where are we starting our shopping spree?”
“How about we start at Manhattan Square?” I ask her. A new fine jewelry shop opened there recently and their prices are amazing. We have to pass the jewelry shop to go to my favorite clothing store.
“I love Manhattan Square. I haven’t shopped there since I moved out to live on my own.”
“Great,” I say. So far my plan for today is moving smoothly.