Page 4 of Together

“That makes two of us.”

“She really said no? Are you sure you did it right?”

I take a deep breath and roll my eyes. “How would I have done it wrong, Jose? I was on one knee, asked her to marry me, she looked right at me and said no.”

“But… she loves you.”

I grunt. “Apparently not. Or at least not enough.”

“She’s wrong.”

I sigh and lean back in my seat, throwing back another big swig of my whiskey and Coke. “Pretty sure she knew what she was doing when she turned me down. Said she’d never wanted to get married or have kids. Said that since that’s what I wanted, it was time to move on because she didn’t think it was fair to me.”

“You mean, it’s not fair to her to be saddled with a family guy,” she grouses.

“Right,” I grunt. “It’s not like I wanted to keep her barefoot and pregnant or anything like that. I wanted to marry her.”

Josie’s quiet for a few moments before asking quietly, “But can you honestly say that you would have been okay with not having children? Or being married to someone who didn’t want the same?” I open my mouth to respond but she isn’t waiting for it. “As much as I hate to admit it, she was probably right in declining your proposal. I hate that you’re hurting, but would have hated it even more if you’d have been stuck in an unhappy marriage.”

I sigh, knowing she’s right but cranky about it. “Yeah.”

“You know I’m right,” she answers softly.

“Doesn’t mean I’m happy about it.”

“Well, duh. Of course not. But here’s the deal, I think in the end you’ll see this as a good thing.”

“You called me excited thinking that I was engaged to the girl and now you think it’s a good thing?”

“Well… maybe I’m seeing the good parts of it quicker than you.”

I grunt. “Clearly.”

“Niko, listen to me. It hurts and that’s okay. It should. I know, you love Stacia and felt like she was the one but I want you to imagine your life in five years and tell me what you see. I mean, sure you can be together for life without being married. People do it all the time. When that’s what theybothwant. But, I feel like there’s a difference between wanting to be married to someone and wanting to make it official just hoping that it means they’ll stick around forever. You’ll be worried for life that she’ll leave or cheat or something because she doesn’t actually feel like you’re tied together. If you can honestly say that you would be okay with the life that Stacia wants, then hang up with me and go back to her.”

I sit quietly for a moment then grumble, “Sometimes I hate how logical you are.”

“Right?” I have no doubt that she’s shimmying in her seat right now, pleased that she’s set me straight.

Scrubbing a hand over my face, I drain the last of my whiskey and Coke. My waitress stops with my wings and places them in front of me.

“Need another?” she asks, pointing to my now empty glass.

I think for only a second before answering. “Yes. Thanks.”

“Not a problem. Oh! Sorry, I forgot your water. I’ll be right back with it and your drink.”

“Thanks.”

“Are you out to eat or something?” Josie asks through the phone.

“Didn’t want to go home,” I mumble.

“Understandable. Niko, can I ask you a question and you promise that you won’t bite my head off for it?”

“No.”

“Well, I’m going to ask anyway.” I almost laugh because I knew that’s what she would say. “Why didn’t she break up with you?”

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