Page 90 of Lie with Me
What else can I say?
I spend the next few uncomfortable minutes pretending to look over the menu as Kayne laughs at me soundlessly with his eyes. I’m so glad he is getting an abundance of enjoyment at my expense.
Jess returns with four coffees and takes our breakfast orders without any hiccups, thank God, because I really want to talk to Alec and Monica while Tara is with Ellie. I don’t know when I’ll get this opportunity again, so I am going to bite the bullet and do it now. Conjuring all the courage I can muster, I clear my throat to get their attention.
“Now that we have a minute alone,” I look back and forth between Monica and Alec, “I would like to talk to you about Tara . . . and myself.”
Monica’s blue eyes widen excitedly, and Alec snarls. “What about Tara andyourself?”
“I am very serious about having a future with her.”
“Future,” he spits out as if it’s a dirty word.
“Yes.” I continually sweep my eyes nervously between him and Monica. “With your blessing I would like to ask her tomarry me, eventually.”
Kayne’s jaw drops. “You’ve got balls, man.”
I look over at him astonished. “You’re my friend. You’re supposed to be supportive. You didn't even ask for Ellie’s hand, you just took it,” I remind him.
“I am supportive,” he grumbles.
“So am I,” Monica beams, but Alec fumes. “What do you mean eventually?”
“I want to give it some time.” I explain.
“To make sure she isn’t just another girl slinging coffee, calling you cowboy?” he asks snidely.
I resent the comment. “Look, I get it. You don’t like me. I get that you hate the fact we are ten years apart and you still see Tara as a child. But she is an adult, we both are. And I am going to ask her to be my wife whether you like it or not. She will never be just some girl slinging coffee to me. She will always be the woman who took me by surprise.”
“You should totally put that on a Hallmark card,” Kayne quips as Alec leans back in his chair, folds his arms, and glares at me. I’m not backing down this time. I have done everything, been as considerate as I could, but I’ve had it. If he hates me, so be it. I’m never walking away from Tara.
“You’ve actually got some nads after all,” he says impressed.
“Excuse me?”
“I knew there had to be a reason this guy,” he thumbs at Kayne, “hangs around with you.”
Did I miss something?
“Soooo, you’re okay with me marrying Tara?” I ask a tad confused.
“I am now. Now that I know you’ve got some nuts and will stand up for her.”
I glance over at Monica. She just rolls her eyes and shrugs.
“Alec.” Kayne slaps him on the shoulder. “You had Juice pegged all wrong. No one would stand up taller for Tara than he would.”
“You told me, but I needed to see it for myself.”
“Have you two been in cahoots?” I huff.
“Just a little.” Alec smiles at me for probably the first time ever.
I fall back in my chair.
“Welcome to the family.” Kayne grins like a deranged Cheshire cat.
“Hey, that’s my line.” Monica gets up and grabs my face in her hands. “We are so happy to have you.” She smiles lovingly, kissing my cheek. She looks so much like Tara; I almost see my future staring back at me.
