Chapter 13 - Nathan Asks Without A Ring
A year after the canceled wedding, Nathan asked Alicia to meet him at the park where they had their first date.
He carried no ring.
“I have a question.”
Alicia narrowed her eyes.
“That sentence has caused enough trouble.”
He smiled.
“Do you want to try again?”
“Try what?”
“Us.”
“No wedding?”
“No wedding.”
“No secret parents?”
“My mother is aggressively alive.”
“No mystery trusts?”
“My attorney has instructions to scream if one appears.”
Alicia laughed.
Then she said yes.
Not to marriage.
To trying.
Their second relationship was less cinematic.
That was a relief.
They argued about dishes.
Work schedules.
Nathan’s habit of saying “fine” when he was absolutely not fine.
Alicia’s tendency to spend money when anxious.
They practiced naming things early.
Robert watched carefully but did not interfere.
Mostly.
Two years after the canceled ceremony, Nathan proposed again.
At Evelyn’s kitchen table.
Robert was there.
Laura was there.
Daniel Ross happened to be dropping off final archived records and immediately tried to leave.
Evelyn blocked him.
“You uncovered the disaster. You can witness something pleasant.”
Nathan looked at Alicia.
“No surprises. No hidden files. No deadline.”
Then:
“Will you marry me?”
Alicia looked around the table.
Nobody answered for her.
“Yes.”
Robert immediately asked:
“What’s the budget?”
Everyone groaned.
Alicia pointed at him.
“You get one question tonight.”
“That was it.”
Nathan laughed.
The ring was simple.
Alicia liked it more than the first one.
May you like
Not because it cost less.
Because there was no secret underneath it.
