Page 10 of Mr. Brightside

My heart leaps into my throat as I realize I didn’t think through a major piece of this puzzle. I have no idea if Cory is seeing anyone right now.

I’m such an idiot. I’ve been getting my hopes up and cleaning like a maniac for the last hour, nervous as hell to pitch him this idea and ask him to marry me. There are at least a dozen reasons he might say no, and I’ve come up with rebuttals for all of them. But I hadn’t even considered that he could be in a serious relationship.

I don’t have time to spiral because my phone vibrates in my hand.

Cory: I’m leaving Clinton’s now. I think I know the building, but can you text me your address?

I shoot off my building number and tell him to come to the front door. Inviting him in through the garage seems too intimate.

I don’t want to do this—I really don’t. It’ll tip her off that something’s up, and there’s no way she won’t mention it to Rhett. But now I’m in my head, and I’m starting to panic that this whole thing is dead on arrival because of my narrow-mindedness.

Jake: Hey, baby. Random question for you that I don’t want you to read into…

To my relief, she responds immediately.

Tori: Hello to you too.

My best friend’s wife has been good friends with Cory since he started working at Clinton’s. I know for a fact they’re still close and that Tori makes a point to spend time with him when she’s in town.

Jake: Is Cory seeing anyone right now?

Tori: Jake…

I cringe at the tone I can hear her using in my head.

Jake: It’s not what you’re thinking, I swear. It’s more of a roundabout question that has to do with a work situation.

That’s sort of the truth. It fits the scenario, and it’ll lower her suspicions. Although if everything goes according to plan, she’s going to know exactly why I’m asking soon enough.

Tori: You have no idea how tempted I am to text Cory right now and ask what this is really about…

Fuck. I open my contacts to call her and talk her down just as another text comes through.

Tori: But I trust you. Or, I trust that the truth will come out eventually. ;) He’s not dating anyone right now, unless it’s super new and I don’t know about it yet. He was with a guy named Andre for about six months last year, but they ended things around the holidays.

Relief washes over me. My plans aren’t completely thwarted.

Jake: Thanks, baby. I’ll call you later this week to catch up.

Tori: Behave

Jake: Always

I set my phone on the immaculately clean counter, do another pass through of the living room and kitchen, then close the doors to my workout room and bedroom. I stand in front of the open fridge and just stare for a few minutes, trying to decide what, if anything, I should set out before he arrives. Is there a traditional beverage or snack for proposing marriage to a casual acquaintance?

I’m so in over my head. But the only way out of it now is through.

When my unit buzzer rings, I inhale one last breath.

This will work.

Thishasto work.

Fuck. I hope this works.

Chapter 6

Cory