Page 15 of My One Rule

When he finally pulls away he’s swarmed again by the room of people. Eventually, Chance and Maggie lead him to the rec room for some games while I meet Hannah in the kitchen to finish the final touches for dinner.

We both lean against the counter once all the food is ready to be eaten, buffet style.

“We did it,” she says with relief.

I correct her. “You did it.”

Her eyes squint and with a mischievous smile she says, “Yeah, I guess all you did was have sex with your boyfriend all weekend.”

I take a deep breath and without shame say, “Yeah, it was pretty great.”

“And get engaged?” Her eyebrows are lifted up the whole time she waits for me to answer.

What should I say? Yes, kind of? I look down at the black ring on my left finger.

“I mean technically he asked but that wasn’t his plan…”

Hannah plays with the bit of hair not over her shoulder. “I expected you to be the one to propose.”

I swallow hard. “Honestly I hadn’t thought of it. He’s so young. He needs time to grow and become his own person. I don’t want to hold him back.”

Hannah nods. “But you’re both wearing rings? Let me see it.”

She smiles at the cheap little ring. “It suits you.”

Now I’m smiling. “Oliver said the sweetest stuff, he was actually kneeling beside me because I was talking about mom…”

The mention of our mom has her eyes watering instantly.

“I can’t imagine my life with anyone else,” I echo what he said to me that night. “Yet I can’t imagine making him get married at twenty-one.”

Hannah places her arm around me, as if she’s the older sibling. “You two don’t have to get married. Just be engaged for ten years.”

We both laugh.

“Now go have fun with him.”

Sucking in a breath, I shake my head. “I need a minute.”

Surprise passes through her face for a minute. I don’t want to say why I need time because I don’t know if I understand it either. How to put it into words…

“I’ll go let everyone know the food is ready. Why don’t you chill in here?”

I nod, grateful that despite being annoying far too often, she’s also super understanding.

Soon the kitchen floods with people and I glue myself to Oliver’s side, despite feeling overwhelmed. We tell him to get food first since he’s the man of the day, yet he argues to go last. My stomach is doing flips, so I’m kind of glad we don’t eat right away.

“When we’re done eating, we’re supposed to face Chance and Maggie in some spike ball.”

“Sweet. Chance isn’t too upset about me kicking his ass last time, is he?”

Oliver chuckles and sucks through his teeth. “I wish I could say he’s a gracious loser…”

Chance complained about it for two weeks straight.

“He’s been training though, so I’d watch out.”

I take Oliver’s warning and try to prepare myself and boy was I not ready.

---