14. Asher

CHAPTER 14

ASHER

It’s nearly eleven o’clock when my phone starts ringing. Lani and I are night owls, so it’s no big deal, but my face bunches with concern when I notice it’s Baxter. He always gets up so early and is usually lights out by like nine. I only know this because I’ve made the mistake of calling him at “ungodly” hours before. According to him, anything later than eight thirty is just plain rude.

I snicker, remembering that conversation as I swipe my thumb across my screen.

“Sup, man? You all good?”

“Not really.” He sighs.

I glance at Lani, whose eyebrows rise in question. She moves from her reading chair and curls up beside me on the couch, leaning close so she can listen in. I wrap my arm around her knees and start trailing patterns across her smooth shins.

“There’s been a fire at our reception venue.” His voice is low and defeated.

“No way.” I shake my head, and Lani starts making hand gestures that I take a little minute to interpret. “Hey, Bax. I’m just gonna put you on speakerphone, is that cool?”

“Yeah, I was hoping you and Lani can help me brainstorm ideas.”

“Of course we can.” She smiles. This is so her jam, and I can’t help loving her with everything in me when I see her face light with animation as she slips into “problem-solving” mode. “What have you tried so far?”

“We only found out a few hours ago, and by the time Tammy stopped crying and I got Kai to bed, I haven’t really had a chance to look at much. Tammy’s so stressed about it that Kai and I agreed to take it on so she doesn’t have to worry. But I’m not exactly sure where to start.”

“One month is a tight timeframe, especially since it’s summer, but we’re bound to find something that can work.” Lani starts listing off ideas, and Baxter rejects a few because he already knows they’re taken.

“And I’m assuming you’ve already talked to Rachel about using Ponderosa,” I pipe up.

“Yeah.” He sighs. “It’s already being used that weekend.”

“We could ask the college if we could use the library or something.” As soon as Lani suggests it, her nose wrinkles and she starts shaking her head. “But I’m not loving that idea. It’s not right for you two.”

Baxter lets out a breathy laugh. “It’s not about the right feel, Lani. We just have to find something, even if it’s not perfect.”

“Oh, come on, Bax. Don’t say that. Tammy deserves the best,” Lani argues gently.

Baxter sighs. “I know. I just wish I knew how to give that to her.”

We all go quiet for a minute, my brain scrambling to come up with something cool.

And then it hits me.

“What about the grove behind us? You know that cool area Fezzik loves so much.”

Lani glances at me, her eyes lighting. “We could hang fairy lights between the tree branches.”

“We could set up tables and chairs, then put a bunch of picnic blankets on the ground,” I say, adding to her enthusiasm.

“What if it rains?” Baxter argues.

“What if it doesn’t?” Lani counters, then tuts. “If it starts sprinkling, we’ll all pull out our umbrellas. And if the bugs come out to play, we’ll offer insect repellent as perfume. This will work, Bax. And it’ll be beautiful.” She grins. “We could do picnic baskets of food. It’ll be so unique and different. I think people will love it. And I’m sure Rachel will be happy to help with catering. If it’s picnic food, a lot of it can be made the day before.” She goes through a bunch of practical ideas that Baxter can’t refute, and by the time we wrap up the phone call, it’s all set. She’s buzzing, and even Baxter sounds like he might be smiling.

“Let’s make this a surprise for her.” He sounds kind of enthusiastic about the idea, while Lani winces.

“Do you think she’ll be okay with that? I know if it were my wedding, I’d want to know what’s going on.”

“I think she’s so over trying to make this thing happen, the thought of not having to think about it at all will make her happy. Let’s aim for the surprise thing, and if I’m totally off the mark, we can pivot.”

“Okay, man.” I give him a thumbs-up, even though he can’t see me. “We’re looking forward to helping you pull this together.”

“Thanks a lot, guys. I didn’t know who else to call.”

Lani gives me a mushy smile. “We’re always here for you. You’re family. We love you.”

“Love you too,” he mumbles before hanging up and no doubt blushing as red as a fire engine.

I skim my fingers over Lani’s ear, then tuck her hair back over her shoulder. It’s so long and luscious—a fruity-smelling ebony waterfall. I love burying my fingers in it.

She’s gazing at me with this sweet smile, searching my face like she wants to ask me something serious or…

Oh shit. Is she gonna pop the question?

Like now?

No, she’s not allowed to do that.

I’ve got a plan. I’m proposing! Screw her feministic side. I want to be the guy who drops to one knee. I’ve got it all planned. I’ve booked a hot air balloon ride, and we’re going to drift across the Nolan U campus. I’m going to tell her all my memories from our time at school together, and then once we’re back on the ground, I’m going to jump out of the basket and present her with a ring.

It’s all booked and paid for. She’s not stealing this romantic moment from me.

“Well…” I force a yawn. “I’m actually kind of tired. It was a big day, meeting with clients and stuff. Think I might head to bed.”

I jump off the couch like it’s suddenly on fire, and Lani, without me to lean against anymore, topples onto the cushions.

Her head pops up and her eyes narrow, like she knows I’m up to something, but when she opens her mouth to speak, I start singing.

She probably thinks I’m possessed, but I don’t know what else to do. Belting out the theme song from Avengers , I walk to the bathroom. “Dah-dah, dah, dah-na-na-dah…”

“You’re so weird!” she calls after me.

“Thanks, boo.” I raise my hand, not even turning to look back at her.

I hear a short huff and then what sounds like a cushion being thrown down to the ground.

It’s hard not to grin as I step into the bathroom. I’ve gotten wind that she wants to ask me to marry her, but I bet you a million dollars her proposal is not as romantic as mine. She’s got to let me have this one.

But knowing Lani, she won’t.

Shit, she’s probably going to refuse the fucking hot air balloon ride.

Dammit!

I should have just surprised her at work and popped the question weeks ago. But I want it to be epic. I want people to ask, “So, how did he propose?” and then for her to go on about how legendary and creative I am.

Is that really too much to ask?

Crouching down, I pull open the bottom drawer of the vanity, unearthing the ring box from the very back. Popping the lid, I gaze down at the ring I had specially designed. She’s going to love it. Even if she’s annoyed with me for proposing before she could, as soon as she sees this thing… she’s gonna go weak at the knees.

“I’m winning this round, boo,” I whisper with a grin, knowing deep down that as long as I get to marry this woman, I’m the ultimate winner, no matter how it plays out.