Page 64 of The Proposal
I dial Ella while I head back to the patio. She answers on the first ring.
“Hey, how are you?” she asks, concern thick in her tone.
I lift my face to the sky. “I’m good. In Australia, of all places. Right on the beach.”
“Lucky you.”
“Something like that,” I say, stretching out on the loveseat and shoving a pillow under my head. “What’s happening back there?”
“Oh, the usual. I’m doing laundry from our trip and ignoring your brother’s phone calls.”
I laugh. “So you two didn’t make up?”
“No, we didn’t. I have no interest in making up with him unless he gets his head out of his ass.”
“What did he do?”
She sighs. “I just don’t think we’re going to work out, Blakely. We moved from fling to feelings, but we’re not inching any closer to forever.”
I frown.
This revelation does not shock me; I often wonder if they’ve met their end. But I also know they both really do care about one another, and I hate it that they can’t work out their problems.
My eyes fall closed, and I yawn. “Well, I’ll always be his sister, but I’ll always be your friend, too.”
“I know, and that’s why I’m not involving you in any of it.”
“You’re the best.”
“I know that too.” She laughs. “So what are you and Renn doing at the beach all by yourselves for a few days?”
“Well, we’re on our honeymoon.”
“Is that the official story?”
I take a deep breath and prepare to tell the first person I’m married—even though she knows the truth. It’s good practice saying it.
“I’m changing my name to Blakely Brewer as soon as we’re home.”
She gasps. “What?”
That was fun.
“What do you mean you’re changing your name?” she asks.
“We’re going to stay married for three months.”
She pauses. “You’re good with that?”
“Yeah. I mean, he offered to give me a baby in exchange for—”
“What?”
My whole body shakes as I laugh.
“He offered to, what? Impregnate you?Blakely.” She stutters. “That’s hot.”
My laughter gets louder.
