"Have you seen this?" Lauren asked Joey, holding her phone up so he could see the screen. Joey looked to see the engagement photo Mary Kate had posted earlier that day, and nodded, shifting his arm around Lauren's shoulders.
"It feels like everyone's getting engaged," she mumbled vaguely as she typed out a congratulations message.
Joey looked at her interestedly, wondering if she would realise what she was saying and follow the same thought process as he had. It was true that the majority of their friends were now engaged, and more than once Joey had been hinted to - or occasionally forcefully told - that he should propose to Lauren.
"I wonder if anyone else will get engaged before the end of the year," he said, attempting to sound indifferent, but Lauren must have noticed something in his tone because she looked up at him, looking mildly startled.
"You'd better not propose to me at Christmas," she said fiercely.
"What?" Joey said, his eyes widening. He half hadn't been expecting her to catch on, and he definitely didn't anticipate such a strong reaction.
"I will refuse to marry you if you propose at Christmas, it's the most cliche thing ever," she said, half-smiling but Joey knew she meant it.
"I am a cliche though," he said, grinning at her.
"Joey-"
"I know, I know. I'm not gonna propose to you at Christmas. Promise," he said.
She stared into his eyes a moment longer to check he was telling the truth, and then she settled back into his arm.
"So you wouldn't refuse to marry me if I proposed not at Christmas?" he asked, feeling reassured by her choice of words.
Lauren shrugged, and Joey looked down at her to see her trying to hide a smile. He grinned himself, pressing a kiss to the top of her head as he tightened his arm around her shoulders.
