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And then I feel it again—the electricity. I spin around, and he’s there. Brett.
“If you’ll excuse me, my friend’s here, and I want to say hello.”
“Of course.”
I head over to Brett. My heart races as I gaze at him. “You made it.”
“I was a little late. I’m sorry.”
“No worries. I didn’t know if you’d come. I know you’ve been busy.”
“You killed it,” he says softly. “Your set was amazing, Carrie.”
“I used the Sex and the City bit. I made it a little better.”
“It was great. What did the blonde lady have to say?”
“She liked my set. She’s actually from NBC, and …”
“You got it, didn’t you?”
“Got what?”
“The part on the show. I’m assuming the audition went well.”
“She did say she enjoyed my set and that they’d like to offer me a role on the show. I think it’s a stand-up thing. It doesn’t mean I’m getting my own sitcom or anything.”
“You deserve your own sitcom.”
“Oh, that’s sweet of you.”
“Not many people call me sweet, but it’s true.” He takes a breath. “You should take it. In fact, I think maybe we’ve come to the point in this arrangement where we should start thinking about how we’re going to end it and move on with our lives. I don’t want you holding yourself and your career back because you’re helping me get this trust. I can always take out loans. I have contacts.”
“What are you talking about, Brett? End what?”
“Our friends-with-benefits arrangement. Or everything. You have such a great career ahead of you, and you don’t need to be wasting time with me and pulling this—”
“Hey. Stop.” I grab his hands and squeeze. “I told you I’m going to help you, so I’m going to help you. And we’re going to Catalina Island next weekend. Not only because I promised your granddad I’d be there for his birthday, but because your sisters came out to support me tonight, and I want to see them, and I want to help you get this trust. You’re special to me. You know this.”
“Are you sure about this? Because I really don’t want to—”
“I’m sure. We’re going through with it. You’ll propose to me, and …”
“Look, if we do this, I think it’s better if we show up engaged.” He reaches into his back pocket and hands me a black box. “I bought the ring. Maybe you could put this on and wear it, and we’ll show up engaged. I think it’ll be really awkward if I propose to you in front of everyone and then we break up soon after.” His voice trails off. “I know this is weird, and you don’t have to accept any of this, but …”
I open the box and stare at the ring. “It’s beautiful.”
“It’s small. It’s nothing flashy. I got what you said you liked.”
“And I like it a lot.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure.”
“Okay. Just have it on when we go to Catalina. You obviously don’t have to wear it before then. I don’t want any guys thinking you’re taken, in case you want to go on a date with one of them, or …”
My heart sinks as I realize he’s over it. He’s over me. We’ve run our course.
