Page 43 of On the Double

My grandma turned to him, a stern expression on her face. “And who are you?”

“Fox, my lovely lady.” He was laying it on thick, but he had no idea who he was messing with. My grandma wasn’t ever swayed by charm.

“Fox. What kind of name is that?” she snapped.

He frowned, looking almost confused by the question. “I’m not sure what you mean?”

“I mean, no one names their child Fox.”

As if he suddenly got the joke, he laughed. “No, that’s just what they call me. I was in the military.”

Gram turned to me. “See? A man with a military career. Why can’t you find someone like him?”

“Actually, she has. Meet Edu, her fiancé.” My eyes widened as he shoved Edu forward.

“I’m not,” Edu shook his head furiously.

“Awe, he’s just shy about meeting you. He’s hopelessly in love with Harper.”

“I’m not,” Edu repeated, shaking his head still.

“He is,” Fox whispered. “Why, they fell in love over groceries. He even proposed to her right here in the check-out line.”

I winced. Gram would not find that appealing.

“If he did, why doesn’t he speak for himself?”

I finally met Edu’s eyes, pleading with him to go along with it just to save my neck. I knew if he didn’t, Gram would only be harder on me. Maybe if I had a spine and figured out how to stand up to my grandma, I could handle this, but I hadn’t worked up the nerve yet.

He swallowed hard, his eyes reading mine for a moment. I thought he was going to turn and walk away, but something shifted and he stepped forward, clearing his throat. “Um…yes, I am her…fiancé.” He sounded like he wanted to throw up. Not exactly the most convincing statement, but it would have to do.

“You’reher fiancé?” Gram asked in disbelief.

“Um…yes, ma’am.”

“Then why did you say you weren’t?”

“Because…because I wanted to…to have the privilege of…asking…for your permission.” He stumbled over his words, barely getting anything out. I was surprised he even made it sound intelligible.

“If you wanted to ask my permission, why did you ask her first?”

“Because he surprised her!” Fox grinned, jumping in front of Edu. “It was amazing. I was here. He looked at her and said,Fox, I can’t wait anymore. I have to do it now!And then he broke out into song, right here in the check-out lane.”

“I didn’t,” Edu said.

“He did! There was a song and dance. It was amazing.”

I bit my lip, trying to hold back the laughter as Edu looked positively ashen as he stood there.

“What song did he sing?” Gram asked, ready to interrogate the man.

“You’re The One That I Want.”

“FromGrease?” Gram questioned.

I groaned, knowing what was coming.

Fox grinned at her. “I was backup vocals.”

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