Page 84 of 27 Kisses

“Oh, you poor dear.” She smiles, and this time it seems real. “It’ll probably happen today, so?—”

“What?” I’m having serious trouble keeping up. “He’s going to propose today? Did he tell you that?”

“No. But logically, he’s been wanting to propose for the last six months. He wanted to do it yesterday. That’s why he didn’t buy you another present. But then the video reminded him that you proposed to your wife on Christmas.” She leans closer. “He wants this to be special. He’s been obsessed with getting it right. How do I know? Because that’s how he is.” She’s right about that. “I doubt he’ll wait another day.” She shrugs. “But he might.”

“You don’t know?”

Nat stands and grabs her purse. “I can’t do all the work for you.”

As she says goodbye to Ramon, my head spins. Garrett is going to propose today. And if he doesn’t? Then maybe he needs a little push.

“Oh, and, Christy…” She waits until I look up to continue. “The only dates free are this weekend. No one wanted to work on Christmas. But for bossman, all the employees will make an exception.”

“You know that for sure?”

“Absolutely. We have a pool going. Most bet Garrett would be hitched to his secret boyfriend by Christmas. The rest of us wagered it’d happen by New Year’s. Everyone thought it’d happen by the end of this year. And this is one bet none of us wants to lose.”

Since we’ll be staying at my place tonight, I brought most of my stuff home. And that gets me thinking. Is the reason Garrett was dodgy about the living arrangements because he planned on proposing?

I’m glad to have some time to think things through. Garrett’s place is big enough for all of us. My place would be a tight fit. But I’ve also got the diner to think about. What would Lanie want to do?

He hasn’t even asked you yet.

I’m antsy, and Ramon is still here, so we start prepping for tonight.

“Christy? Can I ask you something?”

I finish chopping an onion and add it to the potato soup. Chopping things relaxes me. And Ramon is happy any time I let him bake. “You can. As long as it’s not about Nat.”

“Why would I ask you about Nat?”

I don’t respond to that. “What do you need, lad?”

He kneads the dough for apple pie. “Well, Nat said?—”

“I thought this wasn’t about Nat.” I stop halfway through the celery

He frowns. “It’s not.”

I feel like I’m on a Ferris Wheel and there’s no way to get off. “What are you asking?”

His shoulders are up around his ears. This is more than a simple question. “Nat— I mean, if you and Mr. Bishop get married, will you live with him?”

“I’m not sure. What’s this about?”

He finally looks at me. “Mamá told me I need to find another place to live. She says mi hermana—my sister—needs it more.”

He’s been living above his mother’s garage and paying rent.

“That’s awful.” And then I get it. “Are you wanting to live here?”

“Only if you decide to move out. I can find a place in town. But this would be perfect. I could make the bread in the morning.”

“You’re going to get up at four in the morning to make bread?”

He shrugs. “Mamá is the reason I’m always late. She waits until I’m leaving and asks me to do things for her.”

I nod. “It’s something to think about.” Sleeping in with Garrett sounds nice. And not rushing every morning to get the bread done. “Maybe. But he hasn’t asked me yet and nothing is set. Got it?”