Page 68 of The Bonus

I have lunch at 12:30

Meet at usual place?

A reply bounces straight back.

Okay see you then.

Twelve forty, I walk into Chachi’s to see Debbie sitting at the back, and I wave as I make my way to her. “Are you okay?” I ask as I kiss her cheek.

“I’m fine, but you need to sit down.”

“What’s wrong?” I slump into the seat.

“I could be the worst friend in the world for wrecking this surprise, but I’ve been thinking about it all night and I want you to be prepared and not ruin this.”

“For what?” I frown.

“Russel is going to propose.”

My face falls. “What?”

“He called over yesterday to ask me what kind of ring you would want.”

I stare at her, horrified.

“And he’s going to go all out with a grand proposal, and I just want you to be excited when he does it, you know?”

The walls begin to close in around me.

“Russel is a great guy, Grace.” She takes my hand across the table.

My eyes well with tears. “Why would he want to get married?”

“Because he loves you and you’ve been together for two years now. You guys are great together.”

“And you told me because…”

“Because I knew you would react like this and I wanted it to be to me and not him. He doesn’t deserve to see your face fall.”

Sheer terror begins to run rampant through my body. “I don’t want to get married, Deb.”

“Why not?”

Her silhouette blurs and I get a lump in my throat, unable to articulate myself.

“Russel is a great guy,” she tells me.

“I know he is.”

“And you two have great chemistry, and the sex is great.”

“I know.”

“And he loves you and he’s great with the kids. Remember how incredible he was when Buddy died?”

I put my head into my hands.

“You should be jumping from the rooftops in excitement.”

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