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“That remains to be seen.”
“Could we marry before we move to Missouri?” Gabriel asked.
“I thought we were just talking about moving in together,” I said and pulled back a little.
He shrugged. “Whatever you want.”
I had the feeling he was playing me like an instrument. Pushing me a little and then pulling back. With every push I grew bolder.
We spent the day together and went to Violet’s house to pick up my things that afternoon.
“Did you get rid of the demon?” I asked her.
“Demon?” She looked puzzled.
“Yeah, the cleansing you were doing here yesterday.,” I reminded her and it made her tilt her head and smile at me.
“There was no demon; I just wanted to give you a reason to go to Gabriel’s house.”
I gaped at her. “Why?”
“Because you needed one.”
“So what did you do last night?”
“I watched a movie and did my nails,” she said with a shrug.
I couldn’t be angry with her. When Gabriel came and told me he’d packed all my things in his car, she leaned in to hug me. “You sneaky little witch,” I muttered with a smile.
“You honor me,” she grinned. “I’ll see you soon, my friend.”
Gabriel and I brought take-out food back to his apartment, wanting nothing else than to be alone in our love bubble.
“Why do you want to marry me?” I asked when we lay in another post-sex daze.
“Because I love you and I feel at ease when I’m with you. Maybe it’ll also prevent you from running away the next time we get into a fight. I want you to commit to me and acknowledge that it’s you and me from now on.”
“You and me,” I repeated.
“That’s right, babe.”
“What do you think your mom will say?” I asked.
He looked at me. “I think she’ll be all over our wedding.”
I turned my head and gave him a quizzical glance. “Can’t we just elope?”
“We could,” he said slowly. “But my mother would never forgive me. Look, it doesn’t have to be anything big, just a small ceremony for friends and family in my parents’ garden. If we give my mom that, she’ll be eternally grateful.”
“Okay… sounds reasonable. But nothing fancy, all right?”
“Who are you going to invite?” he asked me.
“Just three of my friends.”
“Violet and Daniel,” he guessed.
I nodded. “Yeah, and Darren… he’s actually a really cool guy.”
