Page 80 of Takedown

“You have no idea how wrong you are, love. So, ask me and I’ll prove it to you by never letting you go.”

“You’ll marry me right here?”

“Tonight.”

“You’ll never do it.” I put a hand on his shoulder and smile into his face. “It’s all fun and games until someone proposes.”

“No one’s proposed. Ask me. I dare you.”

“You’re not crazy enough to marry me.”

“Ask me.”

“Okay. Adam Flynn, will you marry me?” I give him a smug look, knowing he’ll never do it. This is it. This is when he runs away and calls me nuts.

But he doesn’t. He leans closer and whispers, “Yes.”

“Right,” I say, rolling my eyes. “You can have all the casino cunts you want. Why do you think you want me?” This is insane. I should run as fast and as far away from Adam and this crazy idea as I can, but I don’t make a single move to flee. I look into his eyes and almost drown in the look he’s giving me. It’s more addictive than drugs, and I’ll burn down the entire fucking world before another woman will get that look.

“I don’t think I want you, Mel. I’ve known it since I first heard your voice.” He offers me his hand this time, and I take it.

“Am I supposed to get you a ring?” A nervous giggle escapes.

“Look at me,” and I do. “Promise me you won’t regret this in the morning. And if you do, I’m still not going to let you go.” He picks up my left hand and places a kiss on my ring finger. “But first, you need a big, fat diamond ring on that finger.”

“You can’t afford a big, fat diamond.”

He barges into the room, jolting me out of my daydream. He’s fully dressed, but his hair is still damp.

“There’s only an hour delay for school, so I have to go.”

I stare at him and shrug.

“Still giving me the silent treatment, I see. Really mature. I thought I married a grown woman, but I guess not.” He stomps out of the room before I can respond. By the time I shower and dress, he’s still in the kitchen plating two dishes of food. He slams them on the table and says, “Eat it or not. I don’t care.” But I know that he cares. His cheeks turn red, and he doesn’t take a seat until I do.

We eat without either of us saying a word. I study my husband. His face is redder than I’ve ever seen, and he eats his omelet in stony silence. When he’s done, he just gets up, leaving his dirty plate on the table.

“No problem! I’ll clean up after you!” I yell to his retreating back.

He doesn’t dignify my tantrum with a response. He pulls on his coat, puts on his boots, and shuts the coat closet door. He comes back to the table and kisses my cheek. He walks out of the apartment and slams the door behind him without a word.

I open the door to my two best friends, and they burst in without an invitation. I had no idea they were coming here today. Alex is still on maternity leave, and Ananda is on vacation for the next week. She’s leaving for a trip to Barbados tomorrow.

“I was at home packing for my trip with my new husband when Alex called me over here. Hurry up. My flight leaves at seven tomorrow morning. I got shit to do.” Ananda takes a seat on Lola and crosses her arms.

“Yeah, what the hell were you about to tell me last night? And by the way, it’s Armageddon downstairs. Jason refuses to talk to your mom, and I can barely stand to be in the same room with her. She keeps crying and that upsets my daughter. I wish she never came here.” I sigh and sink on the couch next to Alex. For the next fifteen minutes, I tell my two best friends the new information I learned about my husband and the fight we’ve been having since last night.

When I’m done, Alex and Ananda stare at each other. It’s almost as if they are trying to gauge whether I’m telling the truth.

“I knew it,” Ananda says.

Alex and I look at each other and we both roll our eyes.

“You knew Adam was sitting on fifty million dollars, Nand? Really?” Alex sighs in disbelief.

“No. Not the specifics, but I always knew he was different. He’s good friends with my husband, so I’ve spent time with him without you two. He’s just always carried himself differently, you know. He’s not a snob, but he’s always been above certain shit. I don’t know how to explain it, but I’m not the least bit surprised,” Ananda says.

“Well, I’m glad one of us isn’t surprised. I was blindsided. I married a liar and a manipulator. He’s been acting like the injured party. Like he hasn’t lied to my face repeatedly. Had the nerve to yell at me and say he doesn’t want to talk about it anymore. The fucking audacity of men!” I plop myself down on the sofa after my speech and cover my eyes with my hands.