The Mane Squeeze
Page 122
She caught sight of Jess coming out of a room. She slowed down and stopped in front of her. How ya doin, sweetie?
Everybody gets morning sickness in the
first trimester. Leave it to me to get it in the second.
At least two of my aunts got it in the second. You have Saltines?
She held up the packet. But its Christmas. I should be gorging, not purging.
Now youre like all those Hollywood stars.
She smirked. Thanks.
Have you seen my honey bun?
Jess nodded. See those stairs at the end of the hall? Go all the way up and the door at the end will take you to the roof. Hes been up there for like an hour.
You know how he is about crowds. Gwen headed toward the stairs. How long before you need me?
Another ten, fifteenII Hearing retching noises, Gwen spun around to see Jess dashing back into the bedroom with her hand over her mouth. Gwen started to head toward her, but she saw Smitty.
She needs you.
I know. He held up a soda can. I got her some ginger ale.
He winked and disappeared into the bedroom, closing the door behind him.
Following Jesss directions, Gwen found Lock right where Jess had said hed be. On the roof.
Gwen sat across from him, her legs straddling the roofs ledge. It was a healthy drop if either of them fell, but helltheyd survived going over a mountain, they could survive this.
Lock smiled. Hey.
Hey. Sorry Im late.
No problem. He leaned in and kissed her and like always she lost herself in that kiss. Hard not to when he had those damn lips that did something to her every time.
Lock was the first to pull back, but he nuzzled his nose against hers, and Gwen ended up giggling.
Im glad youre here, he sighed.
Im glad Im here, too. She took his hand between her own. You ready for tomorrow?
His eyes crossed, making Gwen giggle more.
Breakfast at my parents and dinner at your moms? Cant wait.
Lets get through tomorrow and then for New Years Eve itll just be you, me, champagne, Chinese food from down the block, and your favorite honey.
You promise?
Absolutely. Well need the break.
You sure you want to miss out on the yearly Shaw extravaganza at his hotel? When Gwen only stared at him, he said, Ill take that as a yes.
Good. Now lets get downstairs. She started to get up, but Lock tugged her back down.
Wait.
I want to give you something, Lock said, digging deep for the balls to do this.
I thought we were going to wait until Christmasespecially important since I havent actually finished wrapping.
This cant wait. Lock took a deep breath and quickly placed his gift into her palm. Here.
Gwen opened her hand, gazing down at it until she said, Its an engagement ring.
Yeah. It had a box. Two, actually, including one of those blue Tiffany ones.
Slowly Gwens gaze lifted to his. It
had a box?
Yeah. I was holding it, trying to think of the best way to ask you to marry me and Iuhaccidentally crushed it.
I see.
The rings fine, though. Right? He leaned in, trying to look. Isnt it?
Its Gwen suddenly looked up at him. Are you asking me to marry you?
Badly butyes.
Why?
What do you mean why?
Mitch still calls you that bastard and Bren wont even speak to you and Im almost positive something is going on between my mother and one, if not
all, of your uncles and Blayne is wellBlayne, and my Uncle Cally is still talking about taking a two-by-four to the back of your head and
Gwen. Theyre not you. I love
you. I want to marry you.
Youre sure?
Lock laughed. Of course Im sure. Youre the best thing thats ever happened to me. ButI dont want to rush you into anything. So if you feel more comfortable
Gwen slipped the ring on her left index finger. It fits. And its perfect.
I went for subtle. Hope that was okay.
Perfect.
She looked up at him and Lock was reaching for her, knowing what her answer would be from the love in her eyes, when the roof door slammed opened and Blayne walked out. Hey. They want to start giving out the gifts so
Lock didnt know what Blayne saw or if the friends had some nonverbal communication that passed between them but suddenly Blayne shot forward and grabbed Gwens hand.
Oh, my God!
Oh, my God!
Blayne, Gwen warned. Dont do anything stup
Blayne!
Lock watched as Blayne dragged his fiance off the roof.
He charged after them, but the pair moved like lightning, their derby skills allowing Blayne to drag Gwen through the crowd of people in the wild dog house, dodging bodies and kids and
Everybody gets morning sickness in the
first trimester. Leave it to me to get it in the second.
At least two of my aunts got it in the second. You have Saltines?
She held up the packet. But its Christmas. I should be gorging, not purging.
Now youre like all those Hollywood stars.
She smirked. Thanks.
Have you seen my honey bun?
Jess nodded. See those stairs at the end of the hall? Go all the way up and the door at the end will take you to the roof. Hes been up there for like an hour.
You know how he is about crowds. Gwen headed toward the stairs. How long before you need me?
Another ten, fifteenII Hearing retching noises, Gwen spun around to see Jess dashing back into the bedroom with her hand over her mouth. Gwen started to head toward her, but she saw Smitty.
She needs you.
I know. He held up a soda can. I got her some ginger ale.
He winked and disappeared into the bedroom, closing the door behind him.
Following Jesss directions, Gwen found Lock right where Jess had said hed be. On the roof.
Gwen sat across from him, her legs straddling the roofs ledge. It was a healthy drop if either of them fell, but helltheyd survived going over a mountain, they could survive this.
Lock smiled. Hey.
Hey. Sorry Im late.
No problem. He leaned in and kissed her and like always she lost herself in that kiss. Hard not to when he had those damn lips that did something to her every time.
Lock was the first to pull back, but he nuzzled his nose against hers, and Gwen ended up giggling.
Im glad youre here, he sighed.
Im glad Im here, too. She took his hand between her own. You ready for tomorrow?
His eyes crossed, making Gwen giggle more.
Breakfast at my parents and dinner at your moms? Cant wait.
Lets get through tomorrow and then for New Years Eve itll just be you, me, champagne, Chinese food from down the block, and your favorite honey.
You promise?
Absolutely. Well need the break.
You sure you want to miss out on the yearly Shaw extravaganza at his hotel? When Gwen only stared at him, he said, Ill take that as a yes.
Good. Now lets get downstairs. She started to get up, but Lock tugged her back down.
Wait.
I want to give you something, Lock said, digging deep for the balls to do this.
I thought we were going to wait until Christmasespecially important since I havent actually finished wrapping.
This cant wait. Lock took a deep breath and quickly placed his gift into her palm. Here.
Gwen opened her hand, gazing down at it until she said, Its an engagement ring.
Yeah. It had a box. Two, actually, including one of those blue Tiffany ones.
Slowly Gwens gaze lifted to his. It
had a box?
Yeah. I was holding it, trying to think of the best way to ask you to marry me and Iuhaccidentally crushed it.
I see.
The rings fine, though. Right? He leaned in, trying to look. Isnt it?
Its Gwen suddenly looked up at him. Are you asking me to marry you?
Badly butyes.
Why?
What do you mean why?
Mitch still calls you that bastard and Bren wont even speak to you and Im almost positive something is going on between my mother and one, if not
all, of your uncles and Blayne is wellBlayne, and my Uncle Cally is still talking about taking a two-by-four to the back of your head and
Gwen. Theyre not you. I love
you. I want to marry you.
Youre sure?
Lock laughed. Of course Im sure. Youre the best thing thats ever happened to me. ButI dont want to rush you into anything. So if you feel more comfortable
Gwen slipped the ring on her left index finger. It fits. And its perfect.
I went for subtle. Hope that was okay.
Perfect.
She looked up at him and Lock was reaching for her, knowing what her answer would be from the love in her eyes, when the roof door slammed opened and Blayne walked out. Hey. They want to start giving out the gifts so
Lock didnt know what Blayne saw or if the friends had some nonverbal communication that passed between them but suddenly Blayne shot forward and grabbed Gwens hand.
Oh, my God!
Oh, my God!
Blayne, Gwen warned. Dont do anything stup
Blayne!
Lock watched as Blayne dragged his fiance off the roof.
He charged after them, but the pair moved like lightning, their derby skills allowing Blayne to drag Gwen through the crowd of people in the wild dog house, dodging bodies and kids and
