Page 98 of Playing Flirty

A collective “aww” went through the crowd.

Hopping off the stage, Patrick advanced toward me. I took a step back, my eyes scanning the room for an escape.

Patrick stopped in front of me. “We’re perfect for each other. My parents love you, and I know yours love me too. We have the same goals—let’s achieve them together. I want you to be there for the promotions and the birthdays. I want the house in the ’burbs, and the 1.75 kids with two cats and a dog, all named after fictional characters.”

The crowd laughed, but I was frozen under a literal spotlight and withering away as the sole focus of Patrick’s attention.

Dropping to one knee, Patrick looked up at me with an intent expression. “Babe, let’s tick off one of your Life Goals. Rose Marie Jones, will you marry me?”

My heart froze. Goose bumps flared across my skin.

The music stopped but there was noise in my ears and a brightness in my eyes I couldn’t shake.

Patrick pulled out a ring box and exposed a shiny gold ring with a diamond so big I was unsure I would be able to lift my hand if I wore it.

This couldn’t be real.

And I couldn’t tell if it was a dream or a nightmare.

The words I’d been dying to hear for so long filled me with sinking dread that would have brought me to my knees if Patrick hadn’t stood up a second later.

“Patrick.” My voice cracked through my tightened throat. “How are you even here?”

He gave the mic to someone and took my hand. “Babe, I may have always been distracted, but I was listening. You’ve been planning this night for ages, and our calendars are still linked.”

“Patrick,” I tried again, willing my voice to stay with me.

Before I could finish my sentence, he kissed me, right on the mouth.

The crowd cheered, but my body recoiled. The feel of his once-familiar lips was cold and odd on my own. They were neither the shape I expected nor the ones I desired. I pulled away.

“Don’t answer, okay? Not here, not now. Nothing good ever comes from a spontaneous decision, right?” he said, using my own words against me. “Go home, make your pros and cons spreadsheet, then say yes.”

His smile was wide and confident, a smile I knew all too well. He handed me the ring and kissed me on the cheek.

“Say yes,” he said again, and then turned and left me standing in a stunned stupor.

Neema stepped beside me and gently touched my arm. “Hon?”

I turned to her, my eyes already stinging with tears. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea he was planning that. I didn’t mean to stealyour thunder. This was supposed to be a night about you, and all of us having fun together.” I took a deep, steadying inhale but it did not help.

“Please!” She waved a hand. “Patrick couldn’t steal my thunder even if he tried.” She offered me a soft smile. “It’s not like you knew.”

But my mother knew. She could have been far more honest with me. Rage bubbled inside me, and I focused on calming my breathing. Years of therapy had unraveled in literal minutes.

“I’d like to go home,” I said. “But I want you to stay and have fun.”

I needed to get out of here as soon as possible.

“Party’s over, and we have to be up really early tomorrow.” She wrapped her arm around me. “Let’s go home together.”

“Are you sure?”

She nodded and gestured for Shaun to come over.

“We’re heading home,” she told him.

“Of course, yeah.” Shaun leaned in, checking on me. “Did any of you see where William went?”

---