Page 76 of Short Stack 3

“They do.” We exchange smiles.

I let myself into the house. It’s warm and silent, and for some reason, my heart starts to beat fast. “Stan?” I call.

The word falls into the silence, and then I hear him call, “In the lounge.”

I set my top hat on the side table and run my fingers through my hair. “Well, that was a nice magical mystery tour,” I say as I stroll into the lounge.

The room is transformed from the empty shell it was when we moved in. The wooden floor is glowing from my rigorous polishing. We’d set a huge, brightly coloured rug on it and then bought a new sectional that’s filled with cushions. Two walls are lined floor to ceiling with shelves containing vinyl, and the other wall holds the original tiled fireplace and a huge abstract painting that I’d bought when I was in Germany a few months ago at a wedding. The colours are warm and vibrant and reminded me of Stan as soon as I saw it. The air smells of oranges from the incense sticks on the long coffee table.

Stan is standing in front of the bay window that’s letting in a swathe of late-afternoon sunshine. He’s wearing jeans with a James concert T-shirt. His curly hair has grown longer than usual and frames his tanned face. Hump is at his side and appears to be wearing a huge yellow bow on his collar.

“I’ve had a rather strange afternoon, thanks to you. What is going on?” I ask and then gulp. “Oh my god, is it our anniversary?”

His lip twitches. “I’m tempted to play this out, but no, it’s not, babe.”

I edge nearer to him, suddenly hyperaware of my body and the rustle of my suit trousers. The quiet space seems full expectation, as if the air is vibrating. “What’s going on?” I ask again.

I come close, and his hand rises. I immediately place mine in it, the feel of his skin against mine almost a painful release. Love fills me, and I let him pull me close for a hug.

“I love you,” I say into his neck.

He kisses my temple. “I love you too.”

I pull back slightly so I can look up into his dear face. “What was all that about? And as an addendum, I definitely need to brush up on my braille reading. You really can’t promise blowjobs with my homework if I get something right. It’sverydistracting.”

He licks his lips, and I suddenly register the tremor in the hand holding mine. He’s nervous.

“Stan,” I say immediately. “What’s the matter? Are you okay?” I gape at him as he slowly lowers himself to his knees. “Was it the mention of blowjobs?” I ask seriously.

He snorts and looks up at me with a face full of laughter. “You’re impossible,” he says.

I grin. “Not the first time you’ve ever said that, but if you’re thinking of giving me a blowie, we might need to close the blinds. It took ages for Mr Brockman over the road to stop blushing whenever he saw us after the last time and —”

“Rafferty Albert Kendrick.”

I stop rambling. “You’re full naming me now. Am I in trouble?”

He sits back on his heels, and Hump licks my hand. I pet his ear while looking at the face I love most in the world. “Rafferty Albert Kendrick,” Stan repeats softly. He shakes his head. “I had this all planned, and as usual, you’ve derailed it all.”

My heart starts to thunder, and I swallow hard. “What?” I whisper through a thick throat.

He chuckles, but there’s a nervous edge to the laughter, and suddenly, I’m too far away from him. I lower myself to my knees, flinging my arms around his neck. He steadies himself by grabbing my shoulders and smoothing his palms over them.

“There was a reason for the mystery tour. Can you guess?”

“It was our past,” I say slowly. “All the different ways that led to us becoming me and you.”

He swallows hard. “That’s right. I sent you on it because now I want to focus on our future.” He takes a deep breath. “I love you. Will you marry me?”

The whole world comes to a stop. Like someone taking the stylus off a spinning record.

“What?” I whisper.

He clears his throat. “I know you always said you wouldn’t get married, and you like the way we are.”

“I don’t like it. Iloveit,” I say hoarsely.

“But I want to marry you.”

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