Page 122 of Romance and Peppermint Lattes
“Don’t be ridiculous. All right,” she said, straightening abruptly. If he wanted to play games, then she’d respond in kind. “Since we’re married, I want a family.”
“Hey, sweetheart,” he cried, throwing his arms in the air, “that’s music to my ears. I’m willing.”
Cait prepared to leave the office, if not the building. “Somehow I knew you would be.”
“Two or three,” he interjected, then chuckled and added, “I suppose we should name the first two Ken and Barbie.”
Cait’s scowl made him chuckle even louder.
“If you prefer, we’ll leave the names open to negotiation,” he said.
“Of all the colossal nerve...” Cait muttered, moving to the window and gazing out.
“If you want daughters, I’ve got no objection, but from what I understand that’s not really up to us.”
Cait turned around, crossing her arms. “Correct me if I’m wrong,” she said coldly, certain he’d delight in doing so. “But you did just ask me to marry you. Could you confirm that?”
“All I want is to make legal what’s already been done.”
Cait sighed in exasperation. Was he serious, or wasn’t he? He was talking about marriage, about joining their lives, as if he were planning a bid on a construction project.
“When Paul asked Lindy to marry him, he had a diamond ring.”
“I was going to buy you a ring,” Joe said emphatically. “I still am. But I thought you’d want to pick it out yourself. If you wanted a diamond, why didn’t you say so? I’ll buy you the whole store if that’ll make you happy.”
“One ring will suffice, thank you.”
“Pick out two or three. I understand diamonds are an excellent investment.”
“Not so fast,” she said, holding out her arm. It was vital she maintain some distance between them. If Joe kissed her or started talking about having children again, they might never get the facts clear.
“Not so fast?” he repeated incredulously. “Honey, I’ve been waiting eighteen years to discuss this. You’re not going to ruin everything now, are you?” He advanced a couple of steps toward her.
“I’m not agreeing to anything until you explain yourself.” For every step he took toward her, Cait retreated two.
“About what?” Joe was frowning, which wasn’t a good sign.
“Paul.”
His eyelids slammed shut, then slowly rose. “I don’t understand why that man’s name has to come into every conversation you and I have.”
Cait decided it was better to ignore that comment. “You haven’t even told me you love me.”
“I love you.” He actually sounded annoyed, as if she’d insisted on having the obvious reiterated.
“You might say it with a little more feeling,” Cait suggested.
“If you want feeling, come here and let me kiss you.”
“No.”
“Why not?” By now they’d completely circled her desk. “We’re talking serious things here. Trust me, sweetheart, a man doesn’t bring up marriage and babies with just any woman. I love you. I’ve loved you for years, only I didn’t know it.”
“Then why did you let Paul take me out to dinner?”
“You mean I could’ve stopped you?”
“Of course. I didn’t want to go out with him! I was sick about having to turn you down for dinner. Not only that, you didn’t even seem to care that I was going out with another man. And as far as you were concerned, he was your main competition.”
