Two Hotties Next Door

He took a quick shower, thinking about their proposal tonight. He’d never done anything like this, and his nerves were fraught. Once he finished in the shower, he made his toward his bedroom, dressing casually in a pair of jeans and shirt.

There was no backing off now.

He walked next door and found Meredith in the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water. Her hair fell down around her in waves, and she wore a pair of jeans and a white blouse.

The warm weather had started to leave them, making way for fall and winter. With it, the summer dresses and bikini had been put away.

“Hey, babe,” she said, coming toward him, carrying a glass of water. “How are you?” She kissed his cheek and smiled.

“I’m doing good. So, I thought we’d go out. The fair is having its last day tonight, and I’ve not been to one since I was a kid.”

“A fair?”

“It’ll be fun. Rides, cotton candy?”

“You had me at fun, sweetie.” She finished off her water, putting the glass on the counter. “I’ll grab my bag.”

“How was Will today?” he asked.

He watched her tense up just a little, and he couldn’t help but wonder why. Had he said something? Had he told her he and Ace intended to propose?

All of his carefully organized plans started to unravel, and he didn’t know what to do. Shit, he wanted tonight to be special.

“It went well, actually. He’s really happy with everything that I’ve produced lately.” She tilted her head to the side as she turned toward him. “He likes you guys.”

“He does?”

“Yes.”

“Well, that’s good. We like him.”

“Good.”

He took her hand and walked outside, helping her into the car.

“This isn’t like you. Taking me out for your date night.”

“I know. I wanted to try something new.”

He strapped her in, and when she giggled he realized what he did. She placed a hand to his head. “Are you feeling okay, Brett? You’re acting a little strange.”

“Yeah, sorry. I guess I’m more excited than I thought.”

“Yeah, I guess you are.” She spoke so softly he almost didn’t hear it.

She looked sad for a few seconds, but that disappeared the moment he climbed behind the wheel. Starting up his car, he pulled out of the driveway and headed toward the fair, which had been set up near the high school.

Parking was a nightmare, and the drive was quiet. He didn’t know what to say for fear of alerting her to what he and Ace had planned.

“You’re quiet today,” he said.

“Just thinking. You know, about things.”

“It is important to think about things.”

What the hell are you doing and saying?

She’s going to know.

Glancing over at her, he forced a smile as she was looking right at him.

“Okay, what is going on, Brett? Are you going to break up with me tonight?” Meredith asked.

“What? No.”

“Really? Because you’re acting really guilty and it’s kind of worrying me. I don’t need to go to a fair to be broken up with.”

He was so taken aback that he pulled in against the side of the road and turned toward her. “I don’t want to break up with you. Neither does Ace, so get that out of your mind right now. Okay? We’re not breaking up with you.”

“Then what is this, Brett?”

“This is me taking you out on a date. We’ve got a surprise for you later and rather spoil it right now, we’re going to have some fun, and then there will be a big reveal. You’re not getting dumped.”

“Oh.”

“Not even if you wanted to,” he said, pressing his lips against hers.

“I don’t want to get dumped,” she said, laughing. “Wow, I sound like a teenager.”

“And you were acting like one. Now, stop panicking okay.”

“I will.”

He took her hand, locking their fingers together and kissing her knuckles. Tonight had to go down properly. He wouldn’t accept it any other way.

Chapter Ten

“I’m screwed!”

“He’s going to fucking kill me.”

Ace had everything set up. The garden was a romantic paradise. The food was perfection. When Brett texted him, he’d cook the pasta, toss the stewed sauce, and everything would be perfect.

Rushing upstairs, he rummaged through his bag and found nothing.

He’d lost the fucking ring!

How was that possible? He had it right on him, and it was not there anymore.

“Don’t panic. Don’t panic. Shit.”

If he left it at the gym, he wasn’t getting that tomorrow.

“I didn’t leave it at the gym. I had it on me today.” His bag was clear, and then he moved to the bathroom. “No, I brought it home with me. I put it on the counter.”

“The counter.” He ran back downstairs, and the counter was bare.

Standing in the kitchen, he felt fucking nervous. This was their big night. They had picked the damn ring together. “I’m screwed.”

As if that wasn’t the end of it, his cell phone chimed to let him know to put the pasta on.