I never knew Jackson could be so efficient.
Last night I couldn’t squeeze out a single tear to mourn my wasted years no matter how hard I tried. Just lying there all in my feelings, wondering if maybe I’d already burned through all my Lucas–feels during those hopeless years when nothing was happening?
Then this morning–early, truly early–my mom banged on my bedroom door like she was trying to break it down,
each knock louder than the last.
“Mom, what are you doing at the crack of…”
I opened the door with disheveled hair, but before I could finish complaining, my mom clamped her hand over my
mouth.
“Honey, hurry and get ready, then come downstairs,” she whispered excitedly.
I rubbed my eyes sleepily: “What’s going on?”
“Your boyfriend is here to propose!” she whispered in my ear.
My mom had always pressured me to date and get married, even trying to set up blind dates. So seeing Jackson here to propose must have thrilled her.
“What?!”
The news jolted me wide awake.
No way.
Then I peered down to the first floor, seeing familiar faces and gold glinting under the crystal chandelier.
I washed up, applied makeup, and changed clothes at record speed before heading downstairs.
Jackson’s mother saw me coming and smiled warmly, waving me over: “Riley, come have breakfast. We brought
these from the café.”
Then she turned to my mother apologetically: “Dana, we must have startled you, showing up so suddenly this morning.”
“Oh honey, don’t even mention it! We’ve watched these kids grow up together their whole lives. Now they’re taking it to the next level? I’m over the moon about it!” My mom gushed.
“Exactly! We all know each other so well–no need to stand on ceremony,” my dad chimed in.
Chapter 2
Jackson wore a formal suit today with his hair slicked back, sitting perfectly straight.
“You moved so damn fast,” I whispered, sitting beside him and taking a bite of a croissant.
He whispered back: “I figured since my brother’s out of town, it would be awkward if I brought him along when proposing at your house.”
Hearing that, I just raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Our parents enthusiastically discussed wedding details.
“I think January 5th is perfect–an auspicious day for weddings.”
“Yes, yes, very fortunate!”
“Then it’s settled…”
are?”
Jackson and I exchanged bewildered glances: “Why are they more eager than we are?”
Jackson leaned close to my ear: “They’re probably afraid we’ll back out.”
Suddenly it made sense, because my mom constantly complained: “Why are you young people so reluctant to get married these days?”
Chapter 3
