A Taste of You

5: Never Felt More Conflicted

Time stands still for a moment as I stare into his eyes. I know this is all for show, but the rate at which my heart is beating, the blush creeping over my cheeks, and the wetness that makes my vision blurry stirs something in me.

Oh my goodness, I want this to happen to me for real someday.

"Put the ring on her finger! Maybe she'll believe it then." The little old lady prompts.

Ethan takes my hand in his and slips the gorgeous ring on. I can't believe he's continuing this charade. I can't believe how good my hand feels in his.

"Ethan..." I start to say. He stands and pulls me into his arms enthusiastically. I am stiff at first, but then allow myself to relax ever so slightly. His arms feel warm and inviting.

I give the old woman a thumbs up. She claps her hands gleefully. I pull back and cup his face in my hands. He is smiling, goofily. I lean my forehead against his so from the back it looks like we're sharing an intimate moment.

"I thought you were going to disappoint me for a moment there." He whispers, the scent of coffee wafting on his breath.

"What now, fiancé? Granny is probably expecting a big, grandeous kiss." I joke.

"Oh." His eyes drop to my lips and for a second I think he may actually be contemplating it. My heart skips a beat as his head tilts ever so slightly. I close my eyes and hold my breath.

Next thing I know I'm being lifted off the ground. I squeal in surprise. "Ethan, stop!"

He smiles devilishly and turns to the old woman. "Thanks for the coaching. Happily ever after achieved! Let's go celebrate, my bride to be!"

I loop my arms around his neck and laugh at the sheer audacity of this meeting. He dips me down to grab my bag and then pulls me tight against him again, heading for the door.

The old woman has her hands clasped together in front of her chest and she's teary-eyed. "God bless you both!"

"Bye!" I call to her.

We get a few 100 feet from the coffee shop. We have to look ridiculous. Ethan, in his suit and tie, carrying me down the street.

"I think you can put me down now. What was all that about back there?" I inquire with a chuckle.

He sets me on my feet and runs a hand through this hair. He's slightly flushed with excitement and grinning. "Just making an old woman's day. It was wild, wasn't it?"

I am trying to put into words at least one of the thoughts whizzing through my mind, but I just stare up at him with curiosity. What was he thinking and why did I have such a powerful reaction to it?

He turns to me holding the empty ring box. Oh yeah, his fiancée's ring is on my finger still. I twist off the beautiful ring and place it gently in the box.

"You really sold it with tearing up!" He observes.

"Yeah..." I play along. The tears were real.

"And hey you wanted to know what I would do if she said no, right?" He winks at me. "Apparently I'd keep trying."

I look at the ground to avoid his eyes. "You know you can never take your fiancée with you to that coffee shop ever. You may run into your engagement coach."

Ethan seems uncomfortable at the mention of his fiancée and changes the subject. "Where are you parked? We can drive over to the stadium so you can leave right from there."

Oh, yeah. I forgot about the stadium tour he promised, what with the spontaneous fake proposal and all. We drive over and he gets us into special visitor parking. I've been to the stadium for games, but never like this. We walk the entirety: luxury boxes, the bullpen, the dugout, the sports medicine facilities. It's awesome.