Rafael

Chapter 12 - You Win A Lifetime Supply Of Clorox Bleach!

As I entered Starbucks, the familiar aroma of freshly brewed coffee entered my nostrils and I instantly felt exceedingly alert, even though I had just finished an eight-hour workday.

I quickly picked out James in the astonishingly crowded cafe that I had assumed would be empty.

Did people really drink coffee this late?

Maybe strippers or security guards because they had a long night ahead of them.

I strolled over to James' table and took the seat that was facing his.

"So what's this about?" I asked, taking a sip of the dragon drink that I had basically forced him to buy for me by extortion.

Mmm.

Blackmail sure tasted sweet and was definitely best served cold.

"I need your help with something important," he mumbled anxiously.

"Well, I figured, but what exactly do you need my help with?" I entreated, hoping he would be more specific with his next response.

I wasn't exactly fond of him because of how he had been treating my best friend for the past week.

The only reason I even came was that he said that he wanted to talk about Mel and I was eager to squeeze the truth out of him, even if it was the last thing I did.

"She might even say no because I'm doing this kind of early. We don't even fully live together for God's sake! What if she thinks I'm crazy or worse, unhinged?" He rambled, mostly to himself.

What the hell was he going on about?

"What are you even talking about?" I questioned incredulously.

My cup was almost half-empty so he had better spill soon or I was out of here.

I had better things to do than listen to a bumbling fool.

Too harsh?

He took a deep breath before answering.

"I'mplanningonproposingtomelandineedyourhelp."

"Not so fast, flash," I laughed, before taking another sip of my juice.

"I'm planning on proposing to Mel and I need your help," he declared, significantly slower than before.

My eyes widened in surprise.

"Woah, you're gonna propose to Mel?" I asked in disbelief.

It's safe to say that my mind was as blown as a headshot victim.

"Yes, I love her and I want to marry her," he smiled with surety.

Melissa Taylor-Warner.

It had a nice ring to it.

I got up from my seat to give him a hug.

He wasn't a lying scumbag after all.

"Wait, is this why you've been acting weird all week?" I questioned, mid-hug.

"She realized? Damn it. I was trying so hard to keep this whole thing a secret from her," he muttered in annoyance.

"She may or may not think that you were probably cheating," I said sheepishly.

"Oh, no! We have to pull this off quickly then before she ends up breaking up with me! Before I even get the chance to propose."

I nodded in agreement then I remembered something that Mel had told me.

"James, Mel told me a few days ago that she called you and you lied about your location. Why?"

What can I say?