Page 58 of Only in Our Dream
Jonah seemed to think for a moment, but it wasn’t until a smile spread across his lips that Melanie realized he was just teasing her all along.
“Honestly, Aunt Mel, it’s about damn time you ask her out.”
“Language,” she laughed as she pulled him into a hug. “But thank you both. I didn’t think my divorce would be finalized for weeks, so I didn’t have time to prepare a nice dinner or anything to ask you two this.”
“You have our blessing, Aunt Mel.” Jonah put a strong hand on her shoulder. “Just don’t hurt her, okay?”
Melanie nervously laughed. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Good.” Jonah winked at her. “So, do you really have a present in her for her, or was this all a ruse?”
They all laughed again as Melanie opened the truck. She handed the box to Jonah and the bag to Dylan. “Be careful,” she wanted Dylan. “This has her favorite wine in it.”
“Oooh, the fancy one she saves for a special occasion?”
“Yes,” Melanie felt herself blushing again. “Now come on. Let’s get back inside.”
She ushered them back inside like little ducks. Taking a deep breath, Melanie pulled the front door shut behind them as she joined Cameron on the couch. Jonah and Dylan resumed their places on the floor, each keeping the gift Melanie had entrusted them with on their laps. They looked more like little kids than the teens they were.
“So,” Melanie wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans, “Cam.”
“Mel,” she giggled in response. “Does a pony fit into those boxes?”
“No, but this did.”
Extending her hand to Jonah, she took the box from him. She handed it to Cameron as she slowly opened it. Cameron seemed to takeforeverto unwrap the silver paper from the box. And it was even painstakingly slower than she took the lid off the box.
Does she know she’s driving me crazy going so slow?
Melanie didn’t have time to ask her questions. She was too busy watching Cameron’s confused look turn to happiness as she realized what the papers in the box meant.
“Mel,” Cameron covered her mouth with her hand as she looked up at her, “is this for real?”
“It is.”
“When?”
“Yesterday.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Mel.” Cameron let out a sound that was part sob, part laugh as she pulled Melanie into a tight hug. “How are you feeling? Are you okay?”
The fact Cameron took the time to check in with Melanie meant the world to her. And only confirmed what she already knew.
She and Cameron were meant to be together.
Taking the box from Cameron, she handed it back to Jonah. She gently took hold of Cameron’s hands as they turned slightly to face each other.
“I wanted so badly to tell you last night when it happened. But I wanted to wait, because I’ve been dying to ask you something and those papers gave me permission to finally do so.”
Inhaling sharply, Melanie smiled at the kids. She took a moment to memorize the excited looks on their faces as they waited for the question to be asked.
“Cam, will you be my girlfriend?”
“Yes!” Cameron squealed, pulling Melanie into a tight hug yet again. “Oh, my god. A thousand times yes!”
