Twisted(102)
The door to the grocery store swung open. “Christ, Jazz, there you are. I was getting worried.”
Smiling, she turned toward Gray and held out her kitten. “Look. Isn’t she adorable?”
“It’s a he,” the kid said.
“And I’m buying that girl right there too.”
“That one’s a boy too, miss.”
“Man, striking out all over the place.” Jazz went back to digging out her wallet.
“Uh, honey, what do you mean you’re buying both of them? Where are we going to keep two more kittens?”
She scooped up the white kitten. “One’s for Harper and one’s for Lila.”
He took the second kitten from her. “Do Harper and Lila want kittens?”
Jazz bit her lip and sorted through her bills. This kitten expenditure would just about tap her out until she got to the ATM. “Why wouldn’t they?”
“Because not everyone’s like you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means I remember when you brought home a frog in a shoebox and a bunny in a shopping bag. You collect pets, which is adorable but—”
Money in hand, she narrowed her eyes at Gray. Gray who just happened to be rubbing noses with the kitten he claimed to have no interest in. “Look, buddy, this is part of the package deal you’re getting. I know what it’s like not to have a home, and as long as I can help another creature not feel unwanted, then I will.” She bit her lip and glanced at the kid. Maybe she shouldn’t spend the last of her cash. “Do you take checks?”
“Marry me.”
“Forget the check. I’ll go to the ATM.”
“Jazz. Marry me.”
Still turned toward the now gaping kid, she shut her eyes. She must be hearing things.
“Uh, miss, I think the guy asked you a question.”
“It’ll take a second,” Gray said, his voice drily amused. “She’s processing. Jazz’s mouth runs faster than the rest of her.”
“I think I should get a better discount,” she said, eyes still closed.
“Still processing?” the kid asked.
“Or ignoring me. Either’s a good bet.”
“You weren’t on your knees when you asked,” she said shakily, opening her eyes. The kid looked well and truly confused. “Isn’t that how you’re supposed to do it?”
“You’re right. This whole kitten thing threw off my speech. I had it all planned. You were supposed to come inside—”
“The vending machine.” She swiveled to face Gray, a laugh exploding out of her at the sight of him clutching two kittens to his chest while he knelt on one knee in front of her. “Oh my God. There’s a ring in the vending machine. The stupid claw game. But what if I didn’t grab the right plastic bubble? You know I suck at that game.”
“We have all night. And apparently so do I, since I’m kneeling on the ground and people are taking out their camera phones to record this moment for the Daily Gawker.”
“That’s my job. I should be live tweeting my own proposal.” When she dragged out her cell, she expected Gray to balk. But he didn’t say a word as she took a quick picture and tweeted it with the caption, “Look who I found.”
She’d found the best thing ever—the boy she loved more than life offering her the world.
But maybe she needed to stop and think first. Not only had they barely had time together as an actual couple, he was dealing with a serious issue. Adding a new stressor to his life, even a good one like an engagement, might not be a smart idea. And what if he fell off the wagon—
No. She wouldn’t even let herself consider that. He’d promised her that he would stop, and he wouldn’t lie to her. Whatever struggles he faced, she’d be by his side. Making this commitment to each other would prove that.
Then there was Brent and his mom. Should she accept before she’d told him everything? He deserved to know. Was she being selfish for thinking they deserved any bit of happiness they managed to snatch before the rest of the world intruded?
God, she wanted to marry him. If she was making a mistake, it was hers to make. She’d longed for this—just this—for so damn long.
She turned off her phone and dropped to her knees. “Do you really mean it?”
“Yes.” His throat worked. “I want to marry you.”
She swallowed hard, trying to get the questions out that she needed to ask. “When?”
“Tonight. Tomorrow. Two months from now. I don’t care.”
Tears burst from her eyes as she let out another laugh, this one verging on hysterical. “We’ve only been dating two weeks.”