Page 14 of Ropers Can't Tie Knots
“I’m fine?”
“Are you asking me? That sounded like you’re not sure.” His eyes narrow, and I hold my breath as he scrutinizes me like a bug under a microscope.
“I’m sure. I usually cook for two, so I have something for lunch the next day, but you’re welcome to join me again.”
“Really?” His eyes light up like it’s Christmas, and he heads to the stairs. “Give me a minute to change, and I’ll help you.”
Gabe disappears, and I return to my task.
“Just ask him, for god’s sake,” I mutter to myself and slam the knife through the carrot harder than I should.
If he says no, it’ll be even more awkward than it is now. If he says yes, well, maybe we can go for ice cream or something. What do people do to celebrate this kind of thing?
I’m so out of my comfort zone here. I’d be more comfortable running naked down Main Street.
Which I’d likely choose over what I’m about to do.
five
Gabe
Today was a day that could have gone better.
Arriving home to find Hunter cooking and another invitation for dinner definitely turned things around. This morning began with two major pending land transactions pulling me as their counsel of choice because I wasn’t ‘country’ enough. Whatever that was supposed to mean, but it quickly deflated my good mood.
After changing out of my suit into a pair of khakis and a short-sleeved button-down, I return to the kitchen and find Hunter clutching the counter while inhaling deeply.
I’m positive he’s not just inhaling the aroma of garlic.
“Hunter?”
He bolts and stands ramrod straight. “Was just, ah, doing one of those breathing exercise things.” He nods and puffs a breath. “Yeah, just getting in the zone.”
He needs to be in a zone to cook?
“Um, okay. What can I do to help?”
“Do you like to drink? I could use one.” He runs a hand through his hair and brushes past me towards the living room. When he doesn’t return for several minutes, I turn the elements off on the stove and go search for him.
He’s standing in front of the liquor cabinet, this time with a hand clutching a glass of whiskey, and I’m not sure I should interrupt. His lips move silently, like he’s having a conversation or singing a song. I’m not sure which, but he’s focused, so I wait.
Hunter downs the rest of his drink and blows out a breath. When he turns to see me watching him, his eyes widen.
“If there was anyone else, I’d ask them, but will you marry me?” He pauses, like he forgot something, and digs in his pocket. “I got a ring.” Hunter steps towards me and thrusts the small box at me like it’s a relief for someone else to hold it. “Okay, that wasn’t so bad,” he breathes.
I suppose that depends on what end is judging if it was bad or not.
“I’m sorry, but…did you just ask me to marry you?”
He gestures to the box in my hand like that’s the magic answer, and when I flip it open, a thin gold band sits inside. It’s plain and not at all fancy, sort of like the man who apparently just proposed to me.
“Please don’t make me say the words again. I thought I was going to pass out.”
I’m not overly romantic like my friend Riley, but when I imagined a proposal, it certainly wasn’t like this.
“Let’s back up. Is this because of the will thing?”
Hunter nods. “Yeah, I…oh shit. Dinner!” He rushes by me, so I follow him back to the kitchen.
