Found in Us (Lost 2)

"I think Parker needs someone like you."

I need someone like him, too.

"By the way, there's something I wanted to let you know. Nothing to do with Parker," James says.

"Okay."

"I want to ask Serena to marry me."

I gasp. "Wow, that's wonderful."

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; "Really? You sounded like you just had a heart attack," James says, and I detect a slight nervousness in his voice.

"No, you just took me by surprise. I think this is . . . you'll be so happy together. I—”

"Has Serena ever mentioned to you if she. . . er . . . has imagined how she'd like a proposal to be?"

I laugh. "No, James, she hasn't actually. But your ideas for romantic dates have always surpassed everyone's wildest imagination, so I think you're good on your own."

"I'll think about it and run a few ideas by you."

"Sounds like a plan."

Before I get the chance to ask him anything else he says, "Is Dani around? She's not answering her phone."

"Sure. I'll pass her the phone."

"Is she all right?"

"Yes, James," I say, exasperated, as I leave my bed. "She's behaving like any normal college girl."

"She—”

"Yes, Parker told me she got involved with some guy last year that was up to some dangerous stuff, and I have a few things to say to you about that. First, I don't buy that crap. As a big brother, you're genetically programmed to dislike her boyfriends."

"Are you done?" James asks with a hint of anger.

"Yes."

"Then pass the phone to Dani."

Chapter Fourteen

Jessica

Despite my best efforts, by Friday I'm convinced my boss hates me. Fiona insists he just hates all women at the moment because of his wife, but that doesn't appease me. I head to the supermarket after I leave work, returning home with bags of salad, steak, ingredients for crêpes, and other groceries. I plan to make a five-course dinner for Dani and me. Cooking complex dishes usually helps take my mind off things. As does drinking and dancing till the wee hours of the morning. But I don't do that anymore. Disappointment floods me as I receive a text from Dani, informing me she's made other plans for dinner.

When my cell phone buzzes again with an incoming call, my heart flutters. Parker.

"Hello, stranger, how's Copenhagen?" I ask, referring to the last city he's going to on his trip before he returns on Sunday.

"Wouldn't know. Just landed at Heathrow."

"You're back early? Why?"

He laughs softly into the phone. "I was expecting a bit of excitement, not an interrogation."