Page 21 of Tonight's the Night
10
Angela
Joshua comesdownstairs about an hour later. The house smells like sautéed garlic and lemon. One of my favorite things to do when I’m worried is cook something. It makes the time go by faster and it focuses my attention. It’s a constructive way for me to channel my frustrations. Plus, you have to eat eventually. Cooking is a way to nourish your body and yoursoul.
“How did it go?” I ask over my shoulder as Joshua comes up behind me. I’m stirring some angel hair pasta into a big pot of boiling, salty water. Joshua can feel my anxiety humming through me like a plucked guitar string and he puts his hands on my shoulders, massaging gently. A little moan of appreciation and comfort comes from my lips.That feelsgood.
I hear some movement from the stairs and turn my face to see Emily walking down the stairs. She’s changed out of her plane outfit and into some sweats, and she’s smiling softly. I let out a sigh ofrelief.
“Jesus, I was scared,” I say, breaking away from Joshua softly and crossing the kitchen to hug Emily. “I want you to know we didn’t want you to find out like this, with it sprung on you. We were going to sit you down and explain everything. We had everything planned. I’m sorry you found out thisway.”
“It’s okay,” Emily laughs, wiping away a tear from her cheek. She rocks me back and forth in our hug. “The only difference between what you guys were planning and what happened was that I flew commercial instead ofprivate.”
“How was your flight, anyway?” I say, pulling away from her and holding her at arm’s length. “That’s the first thing you’re supposed to say when you see someone who just spent the last four hourstraveling.”
“It was good,” she says, “I slept the whole way. Whatever you’ve got going smellsgood.”
“Come,” I say, taking her by the hand. I park her in one of the chairs at the high, wide kitchen island and take down a few plates from acabinet.
“So,” Emily says, putting her elbows on theisland.
“So,” I repeat, leaning back against the counter oppositeher.
“All I ask is that if I’m here and you guys need to show each other any affection that you stay on your side of the house while you doit.”
“So you aren’t mad?” I bite my lip as warmth settles around me. I already know she isn’t mad. She wears her heart on her sleeve and if it were damaged she wouldn’t be able to hide it. She doesn’t prevaricate and she doesn’tpretend.
“I’m surprised,” she says. “Do I think it’s a little weird that a guy who knew a woman when she was just a kid and young enough to be his own kid would end up dating her? Hell yes. But I also know how he treats women. I know that he’s kind and caring. I know that he would never do something callous for his own selfish intentions. And I know that something changed in him after our graduation. I know that he’s happier than he’s everbeen.”
“It’s true. She makes me happy.” He turns to me. “Angela, you make me so happy. I don’t want to wait any longer to dothis.”
He’s suddenly striding toward me with a fierce, sexy, determined look in his deep blue eyes. My heart skips a beat when I see him reach into his pocket and pull out a small bluebox.
“Did you know about this?” I say, my eyes flashing toEmily.
“Just gave him my blessing twenty minutesago.”
“Oh my God!” I shout as Joshua gets down on oneknee.
“Angela, you have opened my eyes. You’ve made me so happy. I want the privilege of devoting myself to you for the rest of my life. I feel like I was asleep before you and now I’m awake. You opened up something inside me that was long-dormant and something I thought I would never gain back. You were the only thing I could think of for an entire year. I struggled and tried to swim against the current but then I finally stopped fighting and let the current take me to you. To where I’m supposed to be. Making you happy forever. Loving the hell out of my angel. Angela, will you marryme?”
“Yes!!” I shout as he slides the beautiful ring onto my trembling finger. He rises to his feet, takes my face in his hands, and crushes his lips into mine with a bruising kiss. But it’s soft. It isn’t urgent. It’s a kiss from a man who knows he isn’t goinganywhere.
“Guys, what did I say about PDA?” Emily laughs. Then Joshua grabs my hand and rushes me upstairs, carries me into our bedroom, and shuts the door behindus.
“I love you, Angela,” he says as he starts to unbutton his pants and roll up his sleeves. I turn around and wiggle my ass at him, teasing him with my short pleated skirt. He flips it up and lays a hard smack on my butt, making me gasp and then melt into asmile.
“I love you too,Joshua.”
He flips me over, grabs my hips, and climbs on top of me, running a hand up my outerthigh.
“What about dinner?” I suddenly realize the pasta will turn to mush if it isn’t taken out of the water. I also know that Emily will tend to it while I’m busy taking care of something else…something moreimportant.
“We have all night,” Joshua whispers against my lips. “And I have a feeling it’s going to be a very goodone.”
