Page 36 of Something Borrowed

She’s going to say yes,he said to himself, answering the same nervous question that had been bouncing around since he’d selected the ring. Deep down, he knew it was impossible for him to be ready for such a big step if she wasn’t, however it didn’t stop him from wondering if he wasn’t way offbase.

“You can always just not do it,” he muttered as he took a drink of hisbeer.

His phone vibrated, shaking the table along with emitting an annoying noise. The screen lit up, showing a photo on his screen, but at the angle he was on he couldn’t tell what it was or who sentit.

‘Missing you’, the text read when he lifted the phone, complete with an image of Adrianna stuffing a beignet in her mouth.

Chuckling, he tapped the info button on the text and then the image of the phone. Lifting it to his ear he couldn’t help but wonder what she was doing out at what had to be five in the morning in New Orleans.

“Well, hello there,” a coy voice said into the phone. “Fancy you calling on a time we don’t have one planned.”

“Color me curious as to what you’re doing awake, and in the Quarter, at thishour.”

“I couldn’t sleep. A sugar overload and people watching seemed to be the only possiblecure.”

He’d always known she loved Café du Monde, but he didn’t realize it was something of a solace forher.

“Thinking about me?” he teased.

“More like annoyed I didn’t wake up to a random text or missed call that you absolutely didn’t oweme.”

Grinning like a loon, he squeezed the box through his pants. He was doing the right thing, he knew it. “Sorry I couldn’t be more useful.”

Her laughter was light, and he could see her face as she laughed.

“I think you’re making up for it now. By the way, do you know why your name isJax?”

Grunting, he closed his eyes and groaned. “I am not by any means named after the brewery. There’s no reason to it other than my parents liked the way it rolled off their tongues. And good lord did it take you forever to ask methat.”

“I take it you’ve been asked that a time or two,” amusement was evident but to her credit she didn’t laugh. “And just don’t tell my producer I missed something so potentially obvious. I might need him to write me an overseas recommendation oneday.”

Sooner than you know, he thought, pleased as punch with himself.

“Your secret is safe withme.”

A loud double beep blared in his ear. “Fuck, my phone’s got low battery.” Moron, that’s what you get for not charging it everyday.

“That’s fine. I liked the surprise call quite a bit, even if it is being cut short.”

“Who said I wouldn’t talk to you until itdied?”

“Your girlfriend because not having a charged phone is stupid and could be dangerous.”

“Aid, you realize I’m in the Marines. I can handle myself with or without my phone.”

“Just humor me. I’d prefer to think you’re not a ballsy risk taker.”

Snickering he just shook his head. “I’m a big boy, Adrianna. I promise I won’t go getting myself killed before I arrive home again.”

“Good. That’s precisely what I needed to hear. Now go, I loveyou.”

“I love you too, I’ll see you Christmas morning.”

She hung up a second later, potentially not trusting that he would or worried that his phone would die any second.

“You got lucky, Jax. You got super fucking lucky.” Grinning, he shoved the last of the fries into his mouth.

I can’t wait to see her face on the twenty-third, and not just because I missher.

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