Page 114 of Unstable

“How do you know this song?” I ask in place of “hello.”

His deep laugh kisses my ear. “I didn’t until today. Took some advice, read the lyrics, and knew no other song would tell you as perfectly. Do you like it?”

“I love it,” my reply a dreamy wisp. “But, whose advice?”

My inner territorialism rears its possessive head because I know damn good and well, only a female would recommend that song. And I wanna know who Lil’ Miss Helpful was.

“Love jealous Henny,” he growls. “I’ll tell ya when we get to that part.”

“What part? Where are you? Why are you calling me?”

“Would you be so kind as to come meet me up on the roof?” he asks coyly.

“So now you’re encouraging that? I’m so lost right now.”

“As long as I’m up here with you, it’s fine. I told you that. Now get your pretty ass moving, don’t keep me waiting.” And with that, he ends the call.

I pat down the bedhead I know I’m sporting, quickly brush my teeth (‘cause you know, nap breath) and head up the stairs.

“Hey gorgeous,” he greets me at the window with a wolfish smile, giving me his hand. “Fancy meetin’ you here.”

I climb through it and let him lead me over to the middle, where he guides us to sit down by the tea light candles he has lit.

“Um, Mr. Safety,” I snicker, “I’m pretty sure open flames on a roof are strongly discouraged.”

“Yeah, probably,” he chuckles. “Which is why there’s only three, in glass, and a fire extinguisher right behind me. Just don’t knock ‘em over, and we’ll be fine.”

I nod, waiting in overwhelming, body tingles producing, anticipation to see what he’s building up to.

“Henley Gene Calvert,” he rises to his knees and takes my hand in his, “I have loved you since the day you tried to beam a rock off of me, before I even knew that the immediate fascination I felt for you was love. And I have loved you every single day of my life since. Even when you were gone, not a day went by that I didn’t think of you, try to find you and pray you’d come back and I’d get another chance. There is nothing that makes me feel more alive than being in your presence, despite your moods.” He winks. “You were put on this Earth to be adored by me, I’m convinced of it. The feelings I have for you are all-consuming. No one has ever loved another as deeply as I love you, it’s just not possible.”

He uses his thumb to wipe away my happy tears and leans in to feather his lips across mine.

“So I’m asking…” He digs in his pocket, opens the small black box he’s pulled out and holds up the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen. White gold, large square cut diamond and braided bands. It’s simplistically elegant and speaks to how well he knows me. If handed a catalogue, it’s the one I would’ve chosen. “Henley Gene, my Henny, my baby, will you please be my wife?”

I gaze up from the ring into his hopeful blue eyes, glazed with a sheen of nervous purpose, and whisper in captivated awe, “Yes, God yes, Keaton. I’d love to marry you.”

He lets out a whoop so loud, I know my family heard it in Heaven, then wraps me up in his arms, peppering kissing all over my face, lips, hair and neck. He pulls back, and with a steady hand, slides the ring on my trembling finger with a choppy laugh.

“What’s funny?” I ask.

He shakes his head and kisses my hand. “I just can’t believe it. After all these years, some spent optimistic, some spent hopeless and some spent without you at all, you’re finally going to be my wife. It’s like my life can actually begin now.”

“I love you.” I grab his face and take control, kissing him with every ounce of love, happiness and rejuvenation I feel. When I’m forced to take a breath, I continue to hold his handsome face in my hands. “I love the ring too. You picked perfectly. Was that your errand today?”

“One of them, yeah. Told ya you’d like my surprise,” he smirks smugly. “Let’s blow out these fire hazards and go celebrate inside.”

“Not so fast,” I quip. “The song, my ringtone? While it’s perfect and I love it, I do believe we’re to the part where you tell me who gave you such sound advice.” I quirk a brow.

“The lady who sold me the ring. The married, pregnant lady who sold me the ring.” He adds with an arrogant, knowing wink. “But because your jealousy gets my dick as hard as the diamond on your finger, let’s pretend it was a busty, flirtatious young chick and once we get inside, you should definitely exert your frustration and ravenously remind me who I belong to.” He wiggles his eyebrows.

“Three times in one day?” I laugh.

“Fine,” he mockingly sighs, blowing out the candles and standing. “You’re the boss, I’ll go four, but just because I love you and you’re practically begging.”

“You know we have an early, very busy day tomorrow?”

“You had a nap. I have faith in you.”

Keaton FuckingInsatiable Cash—my dream come true.

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