Page 109 of Cabin Fever

"Why do you use pickup lines? Why don't you try talking to a woman to get to know her?"

"What?" Tyler said as his eyes slid to Carter.

"That's not really our business, Olivia. Tyler does what he does. He's not hurting anyone."

I surveyed the room and found a booth on the other side of the room filled with two guys and a beautiful woman with long brown hair. They were staring at Tyler.

"What about her?" I pointed toward the booth. "She has obviously noticed you. Talk to her and then pull up the pickup line. She might enjoy that. Make a game of it."

"Iona? No. She's just a friend. I've known her since we were kids. They're all here with me tonight. Iona actually bet me a beer that not one of my pickup lines would work."

I gazed at her. Tyler didn't seem the type to just be friends with such a stunning woman. He flirted with every woman he met. So why not her?

"Anyway, I believe you left something at work on Friday." He took a letter out of his back pocket and slid it across the table to me.

Then he winked at Carter, for which Carter responded with a frown.

Again, weird.

"Got to get back to my table. You two kids have fun." Tyler held up two thumbs with a big smile.

"Something is seriously wrong with that guy." I lifted the envelope and watched him saunter back to his friends.

"He just has a unique sense of humor. I wonder what's in the envelope?"

I was about to rip it open but put it back on the table, leaning toward Carter. "What's going on? You won't look me in the eye. Then you need to describe everything that's happening like when Tyler came over to our table. Now you're curious about some mail I got? You never ask me about personal stuff. You never ask anyone about anything."

Carter reached his hand over and placed it on mine. "Can't a man love his girlfriend and want to take her out for the evening without it being weird?"

"Yes. Butyouare acting weird."

Carter rubbed his face and groaned. That felt better. I was used to old Mr. Grumpington. Not this nervous Carter that I had most of the evening.

"Olivia, open the letter." He pointed to the paper in my hand.

"Fine," I said with irritation in my voice.

Tearing open the envelope, I pulled out a sheet of paper. I opened the folded letter and there were only two words on it: look up.

I lifted my head and stared at the ceiling.

"I don't see anything," I said, squinting at the painted pipes and ceiling fans.

"No, look up at me," Carter said.

"Oh." I lowered my head and in Carter's hand was a stunning diamond ring.

"Olivia. This was my mother's ring. My father gave it to her when I was born. It originally was my great-grandmother's wedding ring. I don't want to be a lonely fool anymore. I thought all I needed to be happy was Kitty and the sheep. But once I found you, I realized I had been terribly lost and lonely. Please, take this ring and wear it knowing that my heart only beats to make you happy."

I clasped my hands over my mouth as tears ran down my face. I knew my mascara was smeared. I hadn't worn makeup in weeks. Figures the one night I put it on he had to go and propose to me. Now I look like a clown—but a happy clown at least.

Carter's eyes flickered between the ring and me.

"If it wasn't clear, Olivia . . . I'm asking you to marry me."

I nodded and then the words finally came. "Yes! Yes! Carter, I'm going to marry the fuck out of you."

We were both lost in our happiness so I was surprised when I heard clapping. My hand shook as he placed the ring on my finger. I turned to find Tyler and his group of friends clapping from their table. But there was someone coming toward our table that had me scrambling to my feet—Bea.

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