Page 162 of Under Her Skin
“I see, sweetie. Well, as long as you are living your life on your own terms. That’s what really matters. You have to do you and let him do him. No reason to live your life for anyoneelse.”
Her advice seems wrong to me and I decide I need to end the call before she gets in my head and makes me second guess my decisions. “Okay, Mom. Love you, but I gotta gonow.”
“Okay, bye Shelly. I loveyou.”
I end the call and toss my phone on the sofa. I look around and there’s so much to do I think maybe Blake and I don’t need to take the trip to Vegas. We should stay here and get this squared away thisweekend.
I’ve practically vacationed this whole last week anyway. There will be plenty of time to go to Vegas and gamble. For now, getting out of this little apartment is my top priority. That and beginning our search for a place of our veryown.
My phone ringsand I see it’s Peyton. “Hey, girl,” Ianswer.
“What’s this I hear about a trip toVegas?”
“I wasn’t aware Blake was telling anyone. Did he invite you guysalong?”
“He did, but we can’t go. Kip’s parents are out of town and it’s too short notice to get Pax to my parents. I hope you guys have fun outthere.”
“Yeah, about that. I think I’m going to tell Blake it’s a bad time to go. Did he tell you he and I are moving intogether?”
“No! What?” she shouts into the phone, making me pull it away from my ear. “That’s great,Shelly!”
“Yeah, I’m pretty jazzed about it. But I have to get rid of some of my things and pack others up and get them into a storage building until we find our ownplace.”
“There’s a mansion for sale in our neighborhood. How cool would that be? It’s only about a mile up the street. Want me to get the number off thesign?”
“How cool would that be?” I ask as I jump up and down like a little kid. “Yes, get the number forBlake.”
“I’m going to put Pax in his stroller and walk down there now. I’m so excited! Talk to yousoon.”
I jump and up down and do a little dance. Life is coming together and I can hardlywait.
Blake and I are moving intogether!
Part 9 NoLuck
Blake
My heart is pounding so loudly in my chest I can barely hear Rachelle’s answer. I’m on one knee, holding out the black box with the monster engagement ring in it and haven’t taken a breath since the words, ‘will you marry me,’ came out of my mouth. It seems like an eternity ago and she’s still just looking atme.
Her lips are moving and I think she’s about to sayyes.
Wait! That’s way more than oneword!
“Hold up, Rachelle.”I get up and shake my head and take in a deep breath. “Say that again. I couldn’t hearyou.”
“Blake, it’s too soon. It’s a nice gesture, but I want to get married only onetime.”
A nice gesture?WTF!
“Rachelle, are you telling me no?” I search her eyes for some sign of hope, but only findconfusion.
“I’m not saying no, Blake. I’m trying to tell you that I want to only get married one time. I thought we were moving in together. You know, step one on a list of steps. One day at atime.”
I snap the lid shut on the box with the uber-expensive ring in it and drop my ass on the sofa. “So, what are you saying? Are you saying you’ll think about it orwhat?”
“Not really.” She takes the place next to me and runs her hand over my shoulder. “Don’t you think this issudden?”
“Isn’tthat how it’s supposed to be? Like a surprise? I mean, aren’t you surprised and maybe a little happy about me asking you to marry me? To become my wife and share all I have should be a thing that makes youhappy.”
