Page 143 of Love Undiscovered
“There’s no maybe about it,” I counter. “You ladies had a bet.”
“Okay, suppose we did,” Kat says.
“’Cause you did.” I glance at her.
“Are you going to let me talk?” Kat asks.
“Yes. Sorry,” I say. I do a ‘zip my lips’ gesture so she knows I’m serious.
“We bet shoes and some dates,” Kat says. “You bet sex and money.”
“I bet dates too. Look, is that the big problem?” I ask. “That it was sex that I bet on?”
Kat just looks at me, her eyes narrow and expression fierce. I sigh. “I know I did something shitty. I hurt Remi in the process. I didn’t mean to. I mean, it was a bet at first, but I didn’t even know who I was betting on. It was just a girl that Alex was talking shit about. Once I realized it was Remi and we spent some real time together, it became so much more than that. I mean, I really like her. I think I always have. Ever since the rugby championship party in college, I’ve been, you know, pining.”
“Barf,” Kat says, pretending to stick her finger down her throat.
Lexie bounces in the back seat, barely containing her excitement over my revelations. “I love a good pining, as long as there’s a happily ever after,” she says.
I smile at her in the rear-view mirror. “The question remains,” I say. “How do I fix this? I mean, you guys are closest to her, so you know her best.”
“A grand gesture!” Lexie says.
“Isn’t that what I’m doing?” I ask.
“Yes!” Lexie says. “Which is how we know it’s going to work.”
“Slow your roll, tootsie pop,” Kat says to Lexie. “Just because it might work for you, doesn’t mean it will work for Remi.”
“Grand gestures work for everyone,” Lexie says, tilting her chin up.
“Okay,” I say. “Clearly, I’m doing the grand gesture. So, past that, how do I fix this? I mean, fuck.” I run my hand over my face. Not sure if I want to go where I seem to be about to go. But it's the best way to get them on my side. “I think I’m in love with her,” I whisper loudly.
“Ohmigod! Ohmigod!” Lexie bounces in her seat and claps her hands simultaneously. “I’m so excited. You guys will be so amazing together!”
“I have to say, Bauer,” Kat says. “At the risk of negating my earlier barfing reference, I agree with Lex, it’s a good match.”
“Thanks, Cookie,” I say.
“So, what are your intentions toward our girl, Bauer?” Kat asks.
“You want to know what I intend to do to her once she forgives me? Dirty talk. I like it. First, I’m going to get her alone—”
“I meant the honorable kind of intentions,” Kat says.
“Do you want to get married?” Lexie asks.
Her question stops me.
After Helen, I swore I would never get engaged again, let alone married. I had no desire to lay myself out on the line like that again. It’s too risky. You never know what you're going to get.
But then I think of my parents and how strong their relationship is. And my sisters and how much their spouses bring to their lives. How much easier their lives are with someone to share the journey with.
Is that what I want?
The answer washes over me like a cold shower over hot skin.
I take a deep breath before I answer. “If you'd asked me last week, I would've said no. But today, I’m not sure. I know I don’t want to lose Remi.”
