so he lined up a job in Chrome Hills and is going to stay with him in one of his dad’s rental properties.
“Well, if things go well with Cherry, then hopefully we’ll be moving together into our own place.”
“What do you mean, if things go well?” Jordan asks.
“Oh, that's right! King, you never showed Jordan the ring,” Roman says.
"Ring?" My brows lift as I peer over my shoulder at King. A flash of nervousness flickers in his eyes, which is a huge contrast to his usual sternness.
"What ring?" Jordan asks. An excited smile grows on my face, but the only word that comes to mind when describing the look on Jordan’s is pure shock.
Without a word King digs a hand into the pocket of his hoodie and pulls out a small black box. Jordan looks from him to the box, over to Roman, and back.
"Oh shit," he says.
"Yup, the asshole is going to propose," Roman says, not giving King a chance to speak.
"When?" I ask, watching King open the box. A gold ring with a single diamond sits snug inside a dark gray casing.
"I don't know. Tomorrow. Next week. But before we start next semester. I want to ask her to move in with me after college, but I want it to be right."
"Wow, man, congratulations,” Jordan says.
"Don't congratulate me yet," he says, sliding the box back into his pocket. "She hasn't said yes."
"She will," I say as I peel myself from the couch. "She's crazy about you."
You know those couples who are attached at the hip, always kissing, smiling, touching each other in some way? Well, take that couple, multiply the mushiness by one hundred, and there you will find King and Cherry. It drives Roman crazy, but I think they are sweet.
"Yeah. I have no idea why, but she is," Roman adds.
"Ha-ha. Fuck you, man."
The sound of a car door slam causes all of us to look out the window. Cherry is walking toward the door with Kenzie following close behind. It looks like she’s carrying something but I can’t make it out. A smile grows on King’s face and he stands, but by the time he makes it to the door, Cherry is already opening it.
"Come on, Kenzie," Cherry says, holding open the door for her kid sister. It's clear she's struggling to bring something up the few steps that lead inside. "Did you have to bring everything?"
King walks over, giving her a quick kiss before turning his attention to Kenzie.
Poor Cherry. I feel her frustration from all the way over here. She lets out a long breath and drops her head, shaking it from side to side.
"I got it," King says, rubbing her shoulder before disappearing outside.
"Ugh, kids," Cherry says, walking further into the room before flopping down into an empty chair. "She's lucky I love her, or Mom and Dad would be paying someone else to babysit while they work."
"She's so cute, though." I smile.
"Daisy needs her things. What if she gets hungry?" Kenzie says as King carries a toddler-sized shopping cart into the apartment. It's bright pink with a large picture of Minnie Mouse on the front.
"But I told you we will only be here for a few minutes." Cherry huffs as King pushes the door closed behind them.
Kenzie leans over the cart. There's a Barbie inside wrapped in a blanket with various things surrounding her. Everything from extra clothes to pretend food. It looks like Kenzie packed for a month-long vacation.
"There." She smiles, smoothing her doll’s hair down before looking up to us.
"Gia!" she squeaks, running over and wrapping me in a large hug. I chuckle, my arms molding easily around her tiny body. She's four and adorably pronounces my name with a "g" instead of a "z" sound, which makes me smile every time. Kenzie squeezes between Jordan and me and goes on to tell us about every moment she had today. We listen closely as she describes her meals, time at the park, and Cherry’s music being too loud in the car.
“It was like, boom, boom, boom,” she says, looking at Cherry, who crinkles her nose at her before going back to talk to King. She looks so happy and I can’t believe King is planning to propose. But I know if there’s any couple out there with a real chance of making it, it’s them.
A few hours later the snacks are gone, the cases of beer are empty, and the pizza is well forgotten. I go to check the time