Propose To Me

by Caroline Andrus

  Dustin bent down in a smooth motion, planting a soft kiss on her forehead before she could react. “Drive safe,” he whispered. With a last touch of his fingertips across her cheek, he turned and walked away.

  Cori drove to her hotel in a state of shock. She managed to park, stumble up to her room and get inside before sinking down onto the bed. Still entranced ten minutes later, her cell phone rang, jarring her out of her stupor. She fumbled in her purse for her phone. “Hello?”

  “And how did it go, my decadent flower?” Stefan murmured in a sexy tone. “Were you the belle of the ball, the way I always imagine you?”

  Cori laughed, glad that her fiancé could not witness the flush that suffused her cheeks. “I got a fair number of compliments, but there was no dancing. That’s tomorrow night.”

  “Yes, that’s right, you told me,” Stefan agreed. “So you enjoyed yourself? I’m glad. My reunion last year wasn’t that much fun.”

  “That’s because you were an introvert in high school, and you’re still one,” Cori teased. “You don’t like to socialize unless you’re made to.”

  “True,” Stefan replied. “I always have my eye on the next mountain to climb.”

  “Overachiever to the end,” Cori teased. “I hope your day was productive, then?”

  “Of course,” Stefan teased back. “I always work hard, especially when it's something I want badly.” He paused. “Now you’re sure you’ll be home Sunday night by six? I have an early appointment that day for lunch, but I’ll be home by then. I can bring us some Italian or maybe Thai.”

  “Sounds great,” Cori agreed. “And yes, I’ll be there by then. I’m meeting my stepmother to try on several wedding dresses, but that’s earlier in the day.”

  “Goodnight then, darling,” Stefan said lovingly. “Give me a call if anything changes.”

  “Goodnight,” Cori said, hanging up the phone. Then she turned it off and headed into the shower, deliberately doing her best not to think about anything but Stefan and their wedding plans.

  Four hours later, Cori still tossed and turned, trying her best to get Dustin out of her mind. His hazel eyes still haunted her, just like the sadness in his voice when she admitted to being engaged.

  ~ * ~

  Across town at his mother’s home, Dustin was also trying to sleep and having no luck. Thoughts of Cori kept him awake: how she had felt in his arms, the way she had looked at him when he’d touched her, that same panicked freeze she used to get right before he kissed her and unleashed their shared passion.

  But she didn’t let you kiss her tonight, did she? No, she’s engaged. Everything you hoped for is dust in the wind. And you’re a double jerk for thinking that someone like her wouldn’t have a boyfriend. God, she’d probably have fabricated one if she didn’t, just so you’d get the picture and back off.

  Dustin’s eyes snapped open. What if Cori had said she was engaged just to make him back off? There’s one way to know for sure.

  Dustin got up then carefully tiptoed down to the living room to his mother’s laptop computer. He logged onto Facebook and searched for Cori, locating her after only a few failed attempts. Pulling up her page, he worried for a moment that she would have the information he sought private. Then the page loaded and all his worst fears were confirmed.

  Cori is engaged. Worse, it’s to some tall handsome guy who looks like he stepped off the cover of Gentleman’s Quarterly. Her profile pic was of her and her fiancé—Stefan somebody with a Roman numeral after his name—with the last posting from a week ago, announcing their formal engagement.

  Why the hell didn’t I contact her sooner? If I had, it might be us up there on her page instead.

  “Doing some late night surfing?” his mother commented knowingly from behind him.

  Dustin logged off the computer then closed the lid. “Yeah, but I’m done now.”

  “You’re only done if you give up,” his mother said meaningfully, before heading back to her bedroom.

  “What?” Dustin asked in confusion, turning his head to look at her.

  “I think you know exactly what I mean,” his mother replied as she left the room. “If you still love her, don’t give her up without a fight.”

  Dustin got up and went after his mother, following her into her bedroom. “This isn’t a Lifetime movie,” he said angrily. “You don’t just say things like that and walk offstage and everything works itself out.”

  “No shit,” his mother said, her crude words catching Dustin off guard. “It’s real life son, and that means it’s messy. It means that in a story with a love triangle, someone walks away alone at the end. It means that a lot of times people that love each other don’t end up together because life gets in the way. And if you want to buck those odds, you’ll have to hold nothing back and go after what you want with everything you’ve got.”

  “Which means?” Dustin challenged.

  “Tell her exactly how you feel. Give her a reason to give him up and pick you instead, before you lose this last chance to be together. And think hard about what you’re willing to give up, because odds are you’re going to have to sacrifice something, too.”

  “I don’t understand,” Dustin said angrily.

  “You’re not two teens falling in love out of high school anymore. You’ve each had lives of your own now for ten years. She’s old enough to know what she wants and so do you. Decide if it’s each other, and if that’s worth more than everything else in your life right now.”

  Dustin swallowed hard. “And what if it’s worth it to me but not to her?”

  His mother looked away. “Then she’s not worth you changing your life,” she said in a much gentler tone. “And you’d be foolish to give up your happiness for someone like that, Dusty, especially if you already have what makes you happy.”

  “I like my life,” Dustin said slowly. “I like never knowing where I’m going to be working next week, and calling the shots myself instead of answering to some boss. ”

  “You have to be true to yourself,” his mother said after a pause. “You only get one life. But my advice is not to ask her for something you aren’t willing to give yourself.”

  Dustin looked at her a moment, then walked silently out of the room. To his surprise, his mother didn’t call him back.

  ~ * ~

  Cori primped in front of the mirror, turning this way and that, and wondered for the third time if she should put her shoulder-length hair up.

  An elegant bun with a few curls by my ears would really look sophisticated, especially with just jeans and a simple blouse.

  You know Dustin likes it better down.

  Why do I care if he likes it better? He’s just a friend.

  He’ll never be just a friend, and you know it.

  Oh, who cares, I’m late enough as it is!

  Cori grabbed her purse and keys from the dresser. Locking the hotel door behind her, she ran down the hall to the lobby, darting out the door to her car. As she slid behind the wheel and started the engine, she realized she’d left her cell phone in the hotel room in its charger.

  Telling herself there was no point going back for it, she put the car in drive with a quick glance at the clock. With a muttered curse, she peeled out of the lot.

  Making the drive in record time, Cori hurried through the front door of the restaurant, grateful for the reunion sign, which pointed toward the back private room. She grabbed up her card with a quick smile at the greeter whom she recognized but couldn’t put a name to. Gerrie. Thank goodness for nametags. A DJ played some popular music from her high school days, but no one was dancing. The majority of minimally decorated tables were only partly full, some with couples, and others with small groups of men or women looking at wallet pictures or their phones. She quickly saw Ice—Dustin, he wants to be called Dustin now—with his friend, Allen and several other couples at one of the center tables.

  Allen saw Cori, and then nudged Dustin. Dustin looked over at his friend, and then his head turned in Cori�
��s direction. He gave a wide smile. Instead of beckoning her to join them, he excused himself and made a beeline for her. Cori waited nervously, exchanging quick hellos with several people as she waited nervously for Dustin.

  “So, where do you want to go?” he asked impishly.

  “Um, I thought the point of this was to stay here and be friendly to our classmates,” she said mock-slowly.

  “We can if you want,” Dustin replied, putting his hands in his pockets with a shrug. “But you and I never followed the crowd. So if you wanted to do something else, I’m game.”

  Cori stared at him, trying to tell if Dustin was kidding or not. He had been famous for his pranks in high school, but she had never been on the receiving end. He’s serious. “Like what?”

  “I thought maybe we could get ice cream,” he said, tilting his head and looking up at her through his dark lashes. Those sparkling hazel eyes stirred her thoughts, making her heart race. “And maybe take a walk. It’s a nice night.”

  Cori laughed. “I’m old enough now I don’t go without dinner, not that I ever liked to. So you’ll have to sweeten the deal with some French fries and a burger or something.”

  “I can do that,” Dustin said. “There’s a diner a few blocks up that serves great food. I always stop there when I’m in town to visit Mom.”

  Cori looked at him, wavering.

  “Look, go and see the food for yourself,” Dustin said, motioning with his head to the buffet table. “We’re better off with burgers. Whoever negotiated for this restaurant to cater tonight must have done it for a personal kickback. There can’t be any other reason.”

  Cori laughed out loud, causing several of her classmates to look over at her. She quieted with effort, still considering. “Fine, but we have to come back for a last song. I never got to dance at my prom, you know.”

  A cloud passed over Dustin’s face, and then he nodded, his smile fading. “I know, Cori.”

  Cori looked down, appalled at herself. How could I have said that, now of all times? What’s wrong with me? “I’m sorry I said that, Dustin. I—”

  She felt his hand close over hers, as he leaned in to whisper, “I’ll have you back for the last song. And you’ll get your dance. Fair enough?”

  Cori nodded as she let him lead her away, blinking back sudden tears. None of this is fair. But if this is all we get, then I’m going to enjoy tonight until the last moment.

  Dustin led her out of the restaurant and to his truck, opening the door. After she got in, they drove in silence to a small diner. After parking, Dustin held the door for her again as they entered. The waitress seated them quickly with menus and took their drink orders.

  “I don’t think they have ice cream,” Cori offered as she perused the menu, trying to lighten the mood.

  “We can have pie or cake then,” Dustin said with a grin. “What matters is that we have time to ourselves.” He put the menu near the center outer corner of the table, just as the waitress brought his coffee. “I’ll have the chicken sandwich with a large fry.”

  “No burger?” Cori teased, handing her menu to the waitress as well. “Well, I will have one and some fries, too. Medium rare for the burger, please.”

  The waitress walked away, leaving them alone. Cori’s gaze flitted over the new furnishings, noting with a slight sadness that little of the diner she remembered from her youth remained. The jukebox, the tables, the counter ... it's all changed. Even the color scheme is different.

  “I was just kidding about the ice cream,” Dustin said easily, sipping his coffee. “I just wanted to be alone with you, Cori.”

  It hadn’t been an accident that Dustin had brought her here, the same diner they’d had their weekly date in during most of senior year. Her throat suddenly parched, Cori quickly sipped her water then cleared her throat. “I’m glad, Dustin, because I have something to say to you.”

  Dustin’s gaze rose from the table and locked intently on hers.

  “I’m sorry,” Cori said quietly. “I was a jerk that night we broke up. I’m sorry things didn’t go well—”

  “Shh,” Dustin said softly, taking her hand in his. “We were both young, and we made a lot of mistakes. You don’t have to apologize for something we both had a part in.”

  “I do,” Cori responded resolutely. “I always wanted to. I’m sorry it took so long for me to say it.”

  “I’m glad you did.” Dustin kissed the back of her hand, then put it to his cheek, running her smooth skin against the slight stubble of his jawline. “I’m sorry, too. I should never have let you go.”

  Cori’s breath caught in her chest, the sensation of his touch electrifying.

  “It would have gotten better, you know. Practice makes perfect.” Dustin shot her a grin.

  Cori laughed again aloud, Dustin joining in. Then he released her hand. “So we’re alone. Tell me what you’ve been doing the last decade. Leave nothing out.”

  There was no odd shyness, no worry that some event of the last ten years would need to be edited out in its retelling. For the next half hour, Cori freely told Dustin of her college days, her first job as a telemarketer, her second as a bank clerk, and the third and last, that of official public liaison for a large chemical company. “It’s a lot of paper, mostly,” Cori finished. “But its good money, as my stepmother says.”

  Their food came, and they began to eat hungrily.

  “And how is your family?” Dustin continued, after a moment. “I know you didn’t used to get along with your stepmother. Are things better now?”

  “No, it's your turn,” Cori countered firmly, eating a fry. “I’ve told you all the highpoints you missed for the last ten years. I’ve showed you mine. Show me yours.”

  Dustin smirked at her, then launched into his own retelling: his brief stint in college before deciding it wasn’t for him, his foibles learning the carpentry business and his recent moderate success. “I’m not sure if it's what I will always want but right now, like you, it's good money and I’m happy with it. I like the freedom of not having to answer to anyone.”

  Is it only an old boss he’s referring to, or is he still smarting from an ex’s past demands? Cori kept the thought to herself as she ate her last fry, then pushed back her plate. Dustin had already finished a few moments ago. “I’m very glad that you’re doing so well,” she said with a smile. “I noticed that your F-150 truck looks like it's brand new.”

  Their waitress appeared. “Dessert?”

  Cori began to make excuses, but Dustin was already ordering. “A piece of chocolate cake to go please.”

  “That had better be for you,” Cori said as the waitress left to get the cake.

  “It’s for you, for later tonight,” Dustin said. He stood and put down some money to cover the bill. “You always craved something sweet as soon as it got dark.”

  Maybe, but cake’s not what I’m craving tonight, Cori thought to herself hungrily, reluctantly dragging her gaze from Dustin to dig in her purse for tip money. She put a few dollars onto the bill then tossed several of Dustin’s back to him, even as he protested. “That’s fair,” she said, interrupting him. “I’ve already let you buy dinner. Now do you want your walk? We’re not that far from the river, and the night is going fast.”

  Dustin nodded then followed her out. Cori turned to hold the door, catching Dustin admiring her shapely derriere encased in her tight jeans. “Enjoying the view?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said in a fake drawl, making them both erupt into laughter.

  They walked along the street, laughing and joking, until they reached the former site of the ice cream parlor they had visited years ago.

  “I’m surprised it closed,” Cori said sadly, looking at the boarded-up, weathered structure as they walked past it to the river. “It’s really a great location.”

  “Another bigger chain opened down the block nearer the mall,” Dustin explained with a shrug. “Everything changes.”

  Not everything, Cori thought with a stolen glance
at Dustin as they walked. I still want to be in your arms as much as I did then. I’m still waiting to see if you’ll kiss me at the end of the night, and hoping like hell that you will.

  They walked down the short dirt path to the river, treading carefully on the heavily shadowed path. “Kids must not come down here much anymore,” Cori said, picking her way after Dustin.

  He held back a briar bush’s long trailing stems, so she could step past. “I think kids today are less interested in getting dirty.” He shot her a grin. “Not like we were, Cor.”

  Cori stumbled on a hidden rock as she went past Dustin. He grabbed her quickly before she lost her balance. Cori fell hard against him, her right hand pressing against his chest. She looked up into his eyes like a frightened deer, and then managed a squeaky laugh. “Sorry.”

  “Not a problem,” he murmured, taking her small right hand in his callused palm. “I’ll lead you.”

  Cori trembled slightly as she followed Dustin out of the deep shadows to the brightly lit water’s edge. The night was clear but chilly, a promise of the coming autumn. A full moon hung high above, bathing them both in silvery light.

  “It looks the same,” Cori said in relief, gazing out over the moonlit water. Our first night together in ten years. Do I really want it to be the last?

  “It’s not,” Dustin murmured, a trace of sadness in his tone. He turned to her. “We should go back to the party.”

  The remorse in his words galvanized Cori into action. Her hands reached up for Dustin, her fingers threaded into his hair and gripped fast, bringing his lips down to meet hers in an ardent kiss. Dustin reacted at once. His arms pulled her close into his embrace even as he deepened the kiss, his mouth opening on hers. Cori sighed into him, wanting nothing more than to devour him, to meld their bodies into one thought, one being. Dustin’s hold on her strengthened at her soft whimper, his arms molding her body to his. The kiss lasted until they were both breathing hard, their hearts racing as they finally broke apart.

  “Everything doesn’t change,” Cori whispered, closing her eyes and touching her head to Dustin’s.