Page 36 of Ride or Die
I lean against the wall and wait for Minx. After a couple of minutes, she comes walking down the hallway.
"What's going on," she asks as she gets closer.
"I need you, Emma, Rivet, and Wren to help me plan a proposal to Cali," I tell her. Minx screeches and I shush her.
"Would you calm down?" I whisper-shout at her.
"Are you for real right now?" She whisper-shouts back.
"Yes, I'm being serious. Why would I joke about this?
"Eeeeeek!" She throws her arms around me, squeezing me in a hug. "I'm so happy and excited for you. Of course, I'll help. I'm sure the girls will be on board too."
"Thanks, Minx. I appreciate it," I tell her.
"So, what do you need us to do?"
“I'm gonna go get her so we can spend time together before I leave tomorrow. While I have her, can you see if you can get some ideas for what kind of ring she would like?" I say to her.
"Yeah, no problem." She pauses. "Wait, you're leaving tomorrow? Where are you going?"
"I'm going on a run. I'll be back by Friday," I tell her. "Cali is staying here, in my room, while I'm gone."
"When are you wanting to propose to her?"
"I was hoping for Saturday, but I’m not sure how I should do it," I state.
"We can work with that. Leave it to us. I'll get the girls to help me brainstorm some ideas and I'll pass along what we come up with," she suggests.
"Sounds good, Minx. Thanks."
"No problem." She beams.
"Is it going to be a problem for you to keep this a secret from Cali?" I laugh.
"What? No!" she responds. I laugh again.
"Okay," I tell her. "I trust you."
"Now, go get her. Go spend time with her." She shoos me away. I shake my head, smiling, and walk out to the main room. I look around and don't see the girls anywhere.
"Sketch and Mouse took them outside," Shade calls from behind the bar.
"Thanks, brother." I walk outside and the girls are at one picnic table, while Sketch and Mouse are at another. Cali lifts her head and her eyes connect with mine. She says something to the girls, stands, and walks over to me.
"Get everything figured out?" She wraps her arms around me and looks up.
"Sure did. Now, I'm all yours." I kiss her forehead. "Come on."
I put an arm around her shoulders and we walk toward the backyard of Minx's house.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see," I tell her. When the pallet swing comes into view, Cali gasps. It faces a small garden full of colorful flowers.
"Oh my gosh. It's beautiful!"
"I thought you'd like it over here," I tell her. "Wren and Minx planted all of these."
