Page 46 of The Proposal Pact
“Callum, honey,” Nina says, using that motherly tone I grew up listening to. See? They are evil! They know I could never say no to Nina. Well, there’s always a first. “We just want you to be happy, and I promise, it’s a very nice young lady.”
“I don’t care if she’s Miss Universe. I’m not going on any blind dates.”
“Oh, Callum, look how great it worked out for your sister and Griffin,” Willa supplies, and I shoot her a look.
“Yeah, so great she fell pregnant that night.”
“Exactly!” she exclaims like I just proved her point and not stated the obvious flaw of the plan.
I close my eyes, taking a deep breath to try and calm down. I don’t notice another person standing there before Luke says, “Oh hell, what have you four done to piss him off this bad?”
“Keep walking, Luke, this doesn’t involve you,” Fanny tells him.
“Like hell it doesn’t. What is it this time? Another list of girls?”
“Just a blind date,” his mom Nina says.
“Just…” Luke shakes his head. “He’s not interested, when are you all going to get that through your meddling heads?”
“Never! We’ll never stop until he’s happy and in love.” Fanny stands up. “The date is tonight at LPs at seven PM.”
They all walk out, each with a look that tells me if I don’t show up, there will be dire consequences, and as soon as the door shuts, I slump back in my seat releasing a pained groan.
“Fuck, dude, maybe you should give it another try. Love isn’t meant to be this painful.”
“I’m glad you all got your happily ever after but can you fuck off from mine? It’s not happening. I’m fine with that, I’ve let it go, so why can’t everyone else do the same?”
“Have you?” He pins me with a look.
“Have I what?”
“Really let it go?”
“Luke…” I growl, and he raises his arms up right away.
“Okay, okay. I know! But dude, just go on one fucking date so they leave you alone.”
“I’m not going on any dates,” I state bluntly. “And do you really think they’ll leave me alone after just one date?”
He sighs, knowing I’m right.
I have a feeling that the only way, I’ll be rid of them is if I move, and even then it’s not a fact.
“Let’s go get coffee. And who knows, maybe you’ll magically meet your new girlfriend, and the Granny Gang moves onto the next poor soul.” Luke chuckles at his own joke but my spine straightens up.
I know what to do to get them all off my back.
I don’t need a girlfriend. That’s too unstable.
I need a wife.
And I know where to find one.
10
Callum
“My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me.” —Winston Churchill
