Page 4 of The Engagement
My chest tightens. Getting my ring on Erin’s finger will put me one step closer to my goal of becoming her husband.
Sam pats me on the back. “Congratulations, man.”
Chapter 2 – Erin
Haley and I opt for Chinese this evening. We order online, and while we wait for our food to arrive, I bring out my laptop and we sit together on the sofa with our stockinged feet propped up on the coffee table, ready to scour the Internet for dress ideas.
Lizzie paces back and forth between the two of us, purring loudly as she begs for attention. When she walks across the keyboard, Haley laughs as she snatches the cat up and holds her in her arms.
“All right, let’s see what we have here,” I say as I open up Pinterest and search forhomecoming dance dresses.
Haley is going to the Homecoming dance with Philip Underwood. Well, sort of. They are going together, but there are strict limitations on their time together. Haley isn’t allowed to date Philip until she graduates from high school. That will be in six months. But in the meanwhile, her parents have agreed she can attend the dance with Philip if he meets her there (he can’t pick her up). Mack will drive her to the dance, and Haley’s mom will pick her up and take her home afterward. And she is not allowed to leave the school grounds at any time, for any reason, unless it's with one of her parents.
All the heavy-handed chaperoning is due to the fact that Mack and Chrissy know very well what happens between young people when they find themselves alone and unsupervised.
Unplanned pregnancies happen.
And nine months later, a baby happens—in their case, Haley.
And Haley’s parents don’t want that happening to their daughter.
“Ooh, how about this one?” I ask, pointing at a floor-length burgundy satin gown.
Haley stares at the image on the screen. “It’s gorgeous, but it’s a bit too formal for Homecoming, don’t you think? That’s more of a Prom dress.”
I save the image to a newly created Pinterest board namedHaley. “You’re right. Let’s save that one for Prom.”
“Ooh! What about this one?” Haley points to an image of a young woman wearing a super short, cream-colored satin dress with a scooped, low-cut cowl neckline and spaghetti straps. “That’s pretty, and it’s more casual.”
It looks like a nightgown. A very short nightgown.
Mack would have a heart attack.
“Um, Haley, don’t you think that dress is maybe a bit too short?”
She studies the image. “It’s so pretty, though.”
“Yes, it is, but consider your father. He’s driving you to the dance, so he’ll see what you’re wearing.”
“Oh.” Her smile disintegrates. “Yeah, you’re right. He would lose his shit if I wore something like that.”
“Maybe we can find something similar, but with a bit more, um, fabric.”
Haley sighs. “I guess so.”
We keep looking and eventually Haley spots an emerald green satin dress, knee length, with a more modest squared off neckline and cap sleeves.
“What do you think of that one?” she asks.
“I think it would look fantastic on you. It would complement your dark hair and eyes.”
Haley nods. “I could go for a dress like this.”
“Why don’t we—” I’m about to suggest we go dress shopping this weekend when my phone rings. I glance at the screen and note that it’s the front desk calling. “Hello?”
“Ms. O’Connor, your food order from The China Wok has arrived. Is it okay if I have a staff member bring it up to your apartment?”
“Yes, please.”
