Page 108 of Eye of the Hurricane
“What are we doing tonight?” Beck asks.
“We’re going to Under Shore,” Roman says. It’s out of the norm enough to grab both Beck’s and I’s attention. We both turn our heads, looking at him.
“Why are you taking us on a date?” Beck laughs.
“It’s just a nice place.”
“Yeah… Too nice…” I say, squinting at him.
We walk back to the lake house and get dressed. We’re all in some variation of a button-up and jeans. I guess when you live somewhere as hot as South Carolina, that’s the go-to for dressing nice.
Once we’re all presentable, we head out to the dinner Roman arranged. Thevery suspiciousdinner that Roman arranged
Our waitress is beautiful with long blonde hair and freckles. She reminds me a little of Kat but not enough to make me give her a second glance. She doesn’t even hold a flame to the blonde I’ve got at home. No one does.
We all order our drinks and food, making a poor attempt at pretending this dinner is normal.
“So, I’ll be the one to address the elephant in the room I guess,” Beck says, looking confused. “This is weird as hell, Ro. What’s up?” I’m glad he asks because I’m wondering the same thing.
“Yeah, like… Super weird,” I confirm.
For a moment he looks nervous, like he’s trying to think of what to say. Worry settles in my chest, not knowing what he’s going to tell us. He hasn’t given us any reason to think it’s bad news. Until now, while he’s sitting there looking like he’s unsure if he can get the words out without puking. He lookslike he’s finding a way to drop the worst news in the world. And yeah, it freaks me out a little.
The anxiety quickly dissipates when he pulls a little velvet box out of his pocket. All of a sudden it’s crystal clear what this whole trip was about. He’s asking Audi to marry him.
I should have known. I’ve seen this coming since he bought the house. There are no two people more perfect for one another than Audra and Roman.
I can’t fight the smile ripping its way across my cheeks. Beck’s eyes are so wide I’m not even sure it’s possible to show that much of the whites.
“Oh shit.” The words come out breathlessly.
“Oh my god,” Beck gasps.
Roman is smiling ear to ear now. The kind of smile you genuinely can’t hold back. Every fear or hesitation I’ve had about them is gone. I know in my soul this is right.
“Can’t you let a guy break his own news?” Roman groans but it’s mostly for the dramatics, the same smile is still plastered on his face.
“Maybe if you want a chance to say it out loud don’t whip out the little velvet box,” Beck says, laughing.
“I already talked to her mom. I talked to Mom and Dad. Everyone is on board. It’s not like I need your guys’ permission. I just couldn’t imagine popping the question without the two of you knowing first. You’re my best friends.”
Roman and I have gone through many phases of life, ones where we’ve been as close as two people can be and ones where we’ve hardly spoken. The rough patches were mostly when we were kids and I didn’t know how suffocating I was being by following his every move.
Being at a place now where I’m one of his best friends andwe hang out as much as we do means the world to me. Call me a sap if you want.
“When are you doing it?” I ask him.
“I haven’t set a day yet. Soon though. I want to throw an engagement party after, something kind of fancy. I think she’ll like it,” he says.
“Definitely. If you don’t include Ravyn she’ll be pissed,” I warn him.
“Oh I know,” he says. I think the guys all fear Ravyn a little. I’m sure she prefers it that way.
“How are you going to do it?” I ask.
“I’m going to ask Ravyn what her opinion is,” he says.
“Good idea.”
