Page 2 of The Engagement
When we reach the doors, I push them open and shove him out onto the sidewalk. “If I see you step foot in this store again, I’ll call the cops and have you arrested for trespassing.”
“You’re a fucking asshole, you know that!” The jerk flips me the bird as he storms off.
When I turn, I see Erin standing nearby, watching warily. “What did he say to you?” I ask her.
She looks away, as if she’s embarrassed to say. “He asked me if I work here, and I said yes. But then he started asking me personal questions.When do I get off work? Would I like to go out for a drink with him tonight?” She shudders. “But don’tmind me.” Erin runs her hand down my sleeve and snags my hand. “I’m sorry if I overreacted. He just wouldn’t take no for an answer. I can’t freak out every time a stranger talks to me.”
“Hey.” I brush back her hair. “You have nothing to apologize for. You’re entitled to react any way you want.” I pull her into my arms and hold her close, rubbing her back.
Erin has come so far. She’s made great strides taking her life back after the assault. Therapy has helped. And of course she has a strong support system—me, Beth, Sam, Haley, Lia, and the employees here at the bookstore.
Erin pulls away when her phone chimes with an incoming text message. She checks the screen, and her expression immediately brightens. “It’s Haley. She’s asking if she can come over this evening. We can do some online browsing to get dress ideas for her Homecoming Dance.”
I smile at my daughter’s impeccable timing. I’m planning to sneak out this evening to take care of an important errand. And that’s where Haley comes in. I asked her to come over tonight and distract Erin while I’m out.
“Homecoming Dance?” I say, going along with the ruse. “So soon? God, don’t remind me.”
My daughter is in her final year of high school. After she graduates, she can date Philip Underwood. That’s the agreement we all made—Haley, Philip, Haley’s mom, and I. And I amsonot ready for this. Haley’s mybaby.
Phil’s a really good guy. That’s not the problem. The problem is he’s twenty-six, and she’s only seventeen. He’s a grown-ass man—all six-foot-four-inches of him—and she’s still a teenager.
“Actually, tonight would be perfect,” I say, getting back to the subject at hand. “Shane asked me to go out for a drink with him this evening.” Shane McIntyre, my boss, is in on the plan, as is his wife, Beth, who’s coming with me. “Haley can keep you company.”
Erin texts Haley back and receives an immediate reply. “She says Dave will drop her off at our building at six-thirty and wants to know if you can take her home later.”
“Sure, that’s no problem.”
Haley’s stepfather, Dave, is a pretty decent guy. We get along well. Her mom, Chrissy, met Dave when they were students in law school, and now they’re both practicing attorneys. Chrissy is a civil rights attorney, and Dave is a prosecutor for the city of Chicago.
“Looks like we’re all set for tonight,” Erin says as she tucks her phone in her pocket. “I guess it’s back to work for me.” She rises up on her toes, and I lean down, so she can kiss me. “See you around, handsome.”
While Erin gets back to work, so do I, keeping one eye on the store and the other on her.
When I get a chance, I text Beth McIntyre, who’s upstairs in her office.
Me: We’re all set. Haley is coming over at 6:30. Meet me at the jewelry store at 7?
Beth: Perfect. See you there.
Me: Thx
I’m going to propose to Erin O’Connor, but I need an engagement ring first. I’ve asked Beth to help me pick one out because she knows Erin better than anyone else—besides me, that is. But I need a woman’s opinion.
Haley adores Erin, and I think she’s as excited as I am at the prospect of the two of us getting married. Erin will finally become her official stepmom.
The rest of the afternoon passes without incident. I don’t have to chase off any more admirers hoping to ask Erin out on a date. The sooner I get that ring on her finger, the better. Maybeit will deter would-be suitors. She can just flash her ring, and hopefully they’ll get the hint and move on.
After work, we head home. Shortly after we arrive at our apartment, the doorbell rings. I go to the door to let Haley in.
She glances around the living room to make sure we’re alone. “Is everything set for this evening?” she whispers.
I nod. “Beth is meeting me at the jewelry store at seven.”
Haley grins as she claps her hands together. “Eeek!” she whispers. “I’m so excited. When are you going to pop the question?”
Before I can reply, Erin walks into the living room, followed by our fluffy, rescued calico named Lizzie, after Erin’s favorite book heroine, Elizabeth Bennet ofPride and Prejudicefame.
“Haley!” She gives my daughter a hug. “I’m so glad you could come over tonight. Mack has plans, but you and I are going to order in food and have a girls’ night. What sounds good? Pizza? Chinese? Mexican?”
