The Girl Who Made Me Kiss The Door (GirlxGirl)

Chapter 1

Curtis

Is this a mistake? I mentally asked myself. I've bought my girlfriend of 3 years an engagement ring. I'm losing confidence in this ring by the minute but I feel like she's been waiting for this. Usually those who propose to their significant other don't get the greatest deal out of proposal. I mean, we have to set up the location, get down on one knee, ask the question and we have to buy the ring. And our partners have to do what? Say "yes" or "no."

I wonder what percentage of marriage proposals end in "yes" and what percentage end in a "no"? I automatically open my mouth to tell this thought with Lindsey then quickly close it again.

"Sorry?" Lindsey looks up.

"It's nothing," I said. "This is a great menu!"

I wonder if she knows that I bought a ring already. I sip my wine and stare at Lindsey. We're eating at this newly open restaurant. All black-and-white marble and vintage chandeliers and button-back chairs in pale gray. It's elegant but not showy.

This is the perfect place for a lunchtime proposal. Lindsey is wearing an understated put-a-ring-on-it white shirt, a print skirt and I also notice she's wearing a stay-up stockings probably in case we decide to cement the engagement. I hope she's not thinking that I booked a room at the Fairmont. I'm not flash like that. I would never make an absurd, out-of-proportion gesture. Nice lunch, yes, but over-priced hotel room no.

I look nervous. I'm tapping my feet and checking my phone and swirling the water round in my glass. As she sees me watching her, she smiles too.

"Well," she said

"Well," I answered.

It's as though we are speaking in code, circling around the real issue. I play with my napkin and adjust my chair. I have to get it over with. Okay I don't mean "get it over with." Not that.

"So, Curtis do you have something to say?" Lindsey looks up at me with a warm smile on her face.

My stomach swoops. Just for an instant I thought she was being super-clever and that she finally find out that I am proposing to her.

"Curtis?" Lindsey has noticed my teary eyes. "Are you okay? Tell me what's wrong?"

"Sorry!" I dab at my eyes. "Nothing. I just wish you didn't have to go."

Lindsey is flying off tonight to an assignment in Philippines. She will be gone for two months.

"Babe, don't be sad. I can't bear it." She reaches out to take my hands. We'll Facetime everyday.

"I know." I squeeze her hands back.

"You might want to remember that, if I'm in my office, everyone can hear what you're saying. Including my boss." Only a tiny flicker of her eyes gives away the fact that she's teasing me.

The last time she was away and we Facetime, I started giving her advice on how to manage her nightmare boss, totally forgetting that Lindsey was in an open-plan office and the nightmare boss was liable to walk past at any moment.

"Thanks for the tip." I shrug, equally deadpan.

"Also they can see you. So you might not want to do something silly." She said.