Page 51 of Clueless
“Seriously?”Mav asked, leaning in.“You sure about that?”
I tipped back my beer before I said, “I wouldn’t have told Grace if I wasn’t sure.”
“And she feels the same way?”
“She said she does.”
“Wow, that’s huge.”He sat back, staring at me.“She didn’t even tell that Brandon guy she loved him, and I was sure he was going to propose to her.”
I forced myself to eat while trying to process that bit of news.“How do you know that?”
“What?”
“That she wasn’t in love with him… and that he was going to propose.”It occurred to me, if I’d met Grace after he’d proposed, I would have spent the rest of my life fighting my feelings for her every time our paths crossed.
“He talked to me about it, one night, when they were over at our house for dinner.Since Grace’s dad isn’t in the picture, and she doesn’t have a brother, I guess he figured I was the next best thing.”
“Huh.”I felt sick, but forced myself to act like this conversation wasn’t rattling me.“So what, he asked your permission to propose?”
Mav shrugged.“I guess you could say that.But he asked if I thought it was weird that she hadn’t told him she loved him yet.”
“Was he stupid?”I snapped.“How the hell can you propose to a woman without knowing that she’s in love with you?”
“I thought it was strange too.”
“But you gave them your blessing anyway?”
I didn’t know why it bothered me so much, knowing that another man had asked for her hand.She’d had a life before she met me.Of course, other men had fallen in love with her… and wanted to marry her.Men who knew what they wanted, and didn’t leave her guessing about the future.Ugh.I was such an idiot.
“I told him that Grace was a grown woman, who knew her own mind.And if she wanted to marry him, of course me and Codie would support her decision.”He smiled.“We may not have liked it, but we would have supported it.”
“Why?Why wouldn’t you have liked it?I’ve seen the guy.Heard all about him.”I crushed the napkin in my fist.“He seems perfect for her.”
“On paper, I’d agree.But it’s that intangible thing that makes a great couple, don’t you think?”He studied me carefully.“Their differences, not their similarities.The way they balance each other out.”
I scrubbed my hands over my face as the frustration mounted.“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, but you’re making my head spin.”
“You and Grace couldn’t be more different.But I think that’s what could make you guys work so well.I couldn’t even imagine her sleeping with someone like Brandon?—”
“Don’t.”I raised a finger in warning.The way I was feeling, the last thing I needed was that visual stuck in my head.
“Fair enough.”He raised his hands.“I’m just saying, she needs someone strong, who challenges her.But someone who’s secure enough to know he’ll never be as smart as she is.”
I cracked a smile.“So, you think I’m dumb enough for her.Is that what you’re trying to say?”
“No, I think Gracie is book smart.You’re street smart.She gets people.You get life, because you’ve lived it.She’s been pretty sheltered.Protected by her mama, her big sister, never really had to face the scary shit, like you and I have.”
Mav and I spoke the same language.I had no doubt about that.
“And she needs someone who can help her navigate the pitfalls.Protect her, but let her know she’s stronger than she thinks.”
“I can do that.”
“I know you can, Taz.”He raised his glass.“That’s why I think you’re perfect for her.Welcome to the family, brother.”
I was still on edge when Grace called me before she went to bed.And since, I couldn’t keep anything locked in the vault with this girl, without it eating me alive, I just came out with it.
“Did you know that Brandon guy was going to propose to you?”
