Page 18 of Accidental Proposal

“Thank you,” I said softly to Liam. I didn’t expect a reply, and I didn’t get one.

We drove in silence, and I couldn’t help but think this was all a dream. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever get a ring at Tiffany and Co.,let alone even get married. I had always figured I would die alone or be one of those crazy cat ladies but with dogs instead. The feeling of the car slowing down made me realize we were pulling into the garage.

“So…” I said a moment before Liam turned the car off. “We need to get our story straight.”

“We met at a coffee shop by work. Talked, went on a few dates, then fell in love,” came his quick response before he got out of the car.

“Liam, that isn’t believable,” I said, hurrying out of the car after him. His long legs made his stride longer, so every step of his was two for me. He didn’t answer me and kept walking down the hall toward the kitchen.

“Liam Stanford, you are going to stop and listen to me right now!” I yelled at him, stopping exactly where I was, putting my hands on my hips. Someone had to be the one to take this seriously, and apparently it was going to be me.

“What did you just say?” His voice was low as he stopped and turned around. I should have felt scared at his expression, but I wasn’t.

“You heard me. We need to come up with a believable story that your parents and your sister will believe. The moment we tell them yours, they will know this isn’t real. So quit being an ass and help me with a story,” I said, my voicing coming out just as low and threatening as his. “And don’t look at me like that,” I snapped. “If you really want this to work so you can get the business, then you need to start taking this seriously.”

I walked past him toward the kitchen to grab a drink and maybe some food. After a minute, I heard him following me. I didn’t care if I pissed him off. He’d pissed me off too many times already, and I would not sit by being the only one serious about this. This was what he wanted me to do and I would do it, but not by myself. Grabbing a glass, I filled it with water before taking a seat at the bar.

I watched Liam open the fridge angrily and take out a container of food. He stomped around the kitchen like a five year old who was told they couldn’t have candy. He didn’t even glance in my direction as he dished out his food.

“Do you even cook?” I asked out of the blue. I hadn’t really had time to go grocery shopping yet, but I would later this week. “Microwaving food gets old.” He still didn’t reply, and I rolled my eyes.What a baby.Liam grabbed his bowl after the microwave beeped, heading to the small kitchen table by the door, which was as far away from me as he could get. It irked me, the way he was acting. Getting up, I went and sat across from him, smiling at his glaring eyes.

“Where should we say we met?” I looked at him, but he just silently ate his food. “I like that idea about the coffee shop. We could say I worked there and we ran into each other one day. How does that sound?” I stared at him, waiting for him to answer. “Liam, I swear to God if you don’t say something, I will come over there and cut your balls off. Then I’ll tell your parents what is really going on,” I threatened him. “You are acting like a child.”

“That story sounds fine to me. You saw me and then asked me out that day.”

“Liam.” I groaned. “You’re not helping!”

“You said answer, and I did,” he replied. I let my head fall down onto the table, and a bang echoed through the room. Ignoring the pain from my forehead, I sighed deeply.

“You know what? You’re no help. We’ll just wing it tomorrow, apparently. But one thing we do know is we met at the coffee shop across from your work…what is it called?”

“Juice N Java,” he said then stood up, taking his plate to the sink. “Okay, fine. That is our plan.” I lifted my head off the table and stood up. My stomach rumbled, and I finally noticed the time. It was a little after seven, and I hadn’t eaten since noon, when Lennon let me eat at the mall. I went to the fridge and pulled out a random container of food. The kitchen was silent, and I figured Liam had left. Putting my plate in the microwave, I turned and almost jumped seeing Liam standing there staring at me.

“W-What?” I stuttered.

“Thank you,” Liam said, his voice gruff. Without saying anything else, he walked away.

Okayyy.

As I stood there waiting for my food, I looked down at my hand. I didn’t know when I would get used to seeing the ring there. Once my food was done, I grabbed a fork and headed to my bedroom to eat. The sun was starting to set, making the hallway glow a light pink and orange. Everything was silent as I made my way to my room and shut the door. When I went to my bed, I stopped, noticing a small red velvet ring box. Remembering Liam had it and that he was kind enough to put it on my bed, a small smile appeared on my face.

I ate in a matter of minutes before sitting there staring at the TV in my room. I’d honestly forgotten about having one in here until now. Deciding to turn in early, I went and changed into my PJs, washed my face, and slipped my ring into its case. Grabbing my dishes, I padded barefoot to the kitchen. After I put them in the dishwasher, I was heading back to my room when I heard a groan. Wondering what it was, I headed down the opposite hall and up the stairs toward a light coming from a room.

When I came to the room, I peeked my head around the corner and saw Liam sitting at his desk, his head in his hands, pulling his brown hair. I wanted to go in and see what was wrong, but knowing I would only get yelled at made me stay where I was. I wished Liam would just cooperate with me and try to be nice. It wouldn’t hurt him to do so. Knowing there wasn’t anything I could do, I turned and quietly made my way back downstairs before I got caught.

Closing my bedroom door, I leaned against it, wondering about tomorrow. It was going to be very interesting, to say the least. I guess I’d better get my acting on, because if not, this whole deal would be for nothing.

Chapter Nine

I woke up the next morning to a pair of hands shaking me and a voice calling my name. Groaning, I swatted away the hands while mumbling. I think everyone would agree that being woken up by someone is just as bad as an alarm.

“Jenna, get up!” the voice said again right above my head. I rolled over, away from the hands, onto my side. I just wanted to sleep! “Fine, you asked for it.” I heard the person’s footsteps disappear, and I sighed, snuggling deeper into my pillow.

Just as I got comfortable again, I suddenly felt something wet and cold land on my exposed neck and shoulders.What is that?Before I could understand what it was, I was doused in cold water. There wasn’t a lot, but there was enough to make my head and my PJ shirt wet. I sat up with a gasp, feeling as the cold water ran down my neck. I turned and stared at a smug Lennon standing next to my bed with an empty cup. I narrowed my eyes at her.

“You know I would have gotten up without the cold water.”

“I know.” With that, she set the glass on my bedside table. “Okay, up and at ‘em. We have a lot to do before you leave.”

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