Page 82 of The Proposal Pact
Callum
“They say love is blind, but believe me, love is insane.” — Dan, Next to Normal, “My Psychopharmacologist and I”
The day was even a worse shit-show than usual. Every damn call we got ended up being a means to question me about my new marital status. It was annoying as hell, but that’s not what got me into this pissy mood.
Work is all I’ve had for the last decade and a half, and it’s suited me just fine…until today. Until I spent the whole day watching the clock, counting minutes until I could leave to go home. To Sophie.
I could sit here and lie to myself that it’s because I’ve been worried she would crack and spill it all to Grace, but I know better. I know she’ll stand with me until the end. I know it and don’t deserve it. I haven’t done nothing to deserve it, yet unknowing to her, she became my rock.
No, I’m eager to go home simply because I want to see her. I fought the urge to text Sophie a million times, to see what she’s doing, to prepare her for the dinner tonight that I know will be more of an interrogation.
But every time I picked up my phone to do just that, I put it away.
Just one day. One. Day. And everything’s going to hell.
I can’t allow it. I can’t get closer to her or even become her friend. That isn’t the plan. I’m already feeling protective of her and if something were to happen to her…no, I can’t get close. I can’t get invested!
I’m not the guy for her future. Yet, as soon as I can, I run out of the station and make the five-minute drive in three.
I’m just about to walk inside the apartment building when the bright pink shining lights of Naughty Nox, Grace’s lingerie boutique, catches my eye, and their conversation and Sophie’s sad eyes from earlier today comes back to me.
Without thinking, I step away from the door to the building and toward the pink lights.
The little heart-shaped bell dings when I enter. Immediately, Grace’s wide eyes meet mine.
Damn it, of course she’s here. Why hadn’t I thought of that? Well, I’m not thinking much, period, as I made my way here. The only thing I know is that I want to do something for Sophie, and this morning she wanted sexy lingerie that she didn’t get.
“Well, well, well, what brings you to my humble shop, Mr. Steals-your-best-friend?”
“Do you ever stop being dramatic?”
“Nope,” comes from behind her as Luke appears at her side.
Great, he’s here as well.
“Ready to talk?” he asks me. “You could’ve just called, I’d meet you somewhere other than my wife’s sex shop.”
“Luke.” Grace slaps his arm. “It’s not a sex shop.”
“It totally is, wild one.” He grins, kissing her cheek before he steps away. “Okay, let’s go somewhereelse.”
“Sorry to disappoint but I wasn’t looking for your sorry ass. So, I’m not going anywhere with you,” I tell him.
“Then why are you here?” He looks confused.
“What does it look like? To shop.”
“For what?” Luke looks even more confused.
“Oh, Jesus Christ,” I mutter. “Obviously not for myself.” I look over him to Grace. “I need whatever it is you’d buy for Sophie’s bachelorette party.”
“Wait, you’re here to buy lingerie? For Sophie?” Luke’s face twists. “Why?”
“Did you fall from the tree today while saving a kitten? She’s my wife, why else?”
Jesus, he makes it sound as if I’m moving mountains over here. Which is what Sophie deserves, but since I’m not the moving mountains kind of guy, this is the least I can do.
“Aw, that’s so romantic.” Grace sighs behind him, and we both twist to look at her. “What? It is! You should take notes, you know.” She quirks an eyebrow at her husband.
