Page 39 of The Broposal

“That much has always been clear,” Elisa said, squeezing my hand while Cedric nodded along.

“You guys are my family. I know how much your approval means to Kenny, but it means just as much to me.” I reminded myself to only say true things to keep from wrecking myself with guilt. “I really do want this, and I know Kenny does, too.”

I looked up to see Cedric with tears in his eyes. Had I upset him? Did he know I was basically using Kenny for citizenship? No, no, I wasn’t using Kenny. He was perfectly willing. I had to stop thinking like that, or this would never work. We were in this together.

“I’m sorry. I’m such a sap,” Cedric said, blowing his nose.

“I’ll be right back.” Elisa swiftly got up from the couch and made her way down the hall.

“Papi, you okay?” I asked.

“I always knew it would come to this one day. I’m more than okay. I would love to see Kenny marry someone who actually makes him happy.” His mouth curved into a trembly smile.

Elisa came back then, smiling almost wildly. She reached for my hand and squeezed. It wasn’t until she let go that I realized she’d placed something in my palm.

The emerald ring.

The gesture made me want to run away and call the whole thing off. I figured they’d agree to the marriage, but I wished they’d kept the ring. Saved it for when Kenny and I got divorced and he got married for real. This was too intimate. Tooreal. While this whole thing was fake. But if I refused the ring, it’d look suspicious.

“I… don’t know what to say.” I wished I could somehow make this all up to them. They would never forgive me if they found out.

“You’ll have to get it resized of course, but please, take it.” She folded my fingers over the ring.

“Thank you. Thank you so much” was all I could manage to say as I pocketed the ring.

“When are you proposing?” Elisa clapped her hands together.

“I was hoping to propose tonight.” I shifted on the couch, feeling like I was under a microscope.

“Ahh! So soon! I know a guy who can resize a ring in less than an hour. You’ll have to go to him if anyone’s putting this on tonight!”

With all the parties, quinces, weddings, et cetera that Elisa had helped plan, I wasn’t surprised she knew a ring guy. Getting this one resized would be the perfect cover for me to tell Kenny I’d be out buying a ring. “That would be perfect. Thank you so much.”

“How are you doing it? We’llhaveto throw an engagement party! I’ll need a couple of weeks to get everything together.” She pulled out her phone to look at her calendar. “Hmmm… let’s plan for the twenty-third?”

“Um—”

“Great! There’s no time to waste. I’ll get right on it. You two won’t have to worry about a thing. And good luck tonight!” Shewinked, and I wished I could disappear. “Don’t worry. We won’t keep you any longer. I have a party to plan!” Elisa practically shooed me away. I hadn’t even popped the question, and she was practically planning the honeymoon.

After saying our goodbyes, I was relieved to be back with Kenny, except that he bombarded me the second I opened the car door.

“What’d they say?”

I debated pulling out the ring, but I stopped myself. Kenny was a sucker for the dramatic, which meant he’d eat it up if I surprised him tonight.

“That we’re good to go.”

Kenny fist pumped. “I knew it!” He looked like he would leap out of his seat if it weren’t for his seat belt. He hugged me tightly. When he pulled away, something soft flashed in his face as he looked into my eyes before he shook his head, shaking away the expression. Maybe he was feeling weird that his parents agreed so quickly for me but not Jackie. That had to hurt. Best not to overthink it though.

“All right, let’s do this.”

Even though Kenny was the one doing drag for the first time tonight, I was more nervous than ever. While Leti did Kenny’s makeup, I sat on the edge of their bed, watching anxiously.

“Calm down, primo. You’re making me nervous,” Leti said without looking away from the thick eyeliner they were drawing on Kenny’s lids. I realized then I’d been wildly bouncing my leg.

“I’m chill,” I said, trying to convince myself more than Leti. They knew I was proposing tonight, but they didn’t know it wasall fake, and they were under the impression that Kenny was completely clueless, so they couldn’t talk about it while they were doing his makeup.

“What are you so nervous about? I’m the one performing.” Kenny laughed, and I resisted the urge to flick his forehead. Kenny obviously knew why I was nervous.

---