that girl?”
See, I knew she was in on it. I can just imagine the girl-talk that transpired after my spontaneous yet honest display of affection. I bet Dana knows, too.
“Girls.” I huff.
Hazel grins.
“I didn’t expect her to say yes. I mean, I hoped, but I’m not insane. I realize we can’t get married anytime soon. I was hoping for a long engagement, at the very least.”
“You might’ve mentioned that . . . before you proposed.”
“I know.”
She gazes at me with a smile. “You are one of the brightest men I’ve ever known, but when it comes to love . . . you married your first love. Your first kiss. Your first—”
“I get it, Hazel.”
“You don’t know what you’re doing, Jackson. And it’s not your fault. But you must do better.” Hazel smiles and affectionately pats my hand. “Between Ryder’s tantrums and Natasha’s drama, it’s been one thing after another since the day Olivia moved in. And now, Natasha’s begging Olivia to raise her son, and you’re asking her to marry you. She needs a minute to take it all in. To take a breath.”
I bow my head.
“I know you love her, Jackson. She loves you, too. But a girl needs romance. She needs to be . . . wooed.”
“Wooed?”
“Look it up.”
I smirk.
“I’m serious. Look it up. Because right now, Olivia thinks the only reason you proposed is because you can’t wait to get her in the sack.”
My eyes widen. “What?”
“Didn’t Olivia say that nothing could happen between the two of you until you’re divorced?”
“Well, yes, but . . . are there really no secrets between women?”
“Not many.”
Fear grips me. Surely, Olivia doesn’t think that’s why I proposed.
“Hazel, it’s not like that.”
“I know.”
“Does Olivia really believe that?”
“She didn’t, until she talked to your sister.”
I clench my fists.
“Don’t be too upset with Dana. She is all for this.”
“I’m so glad I have her approval,” I grumble.
“But she thinks you need to learn the art of romancing a woman, especially this woman. This woman, who’s been more of a mother to your child than his biological mother has ever been. This woman, who has lightened your heart and brought you back to life. Olivia should be worshipped, Jackson. So get to it.”
With an affectionate pat on my shoulder, Hazel heads to the laundry room, leaving me alone with my misery.
I bury my head in my hands. Hazel’s right. I know I’m head over heels in love with Olivia, and I’ve told her so. But those are just words. I make my living using words to charm and persuade, but when it comes to love, words just aren’t enough.
I need to woo.
And I need help.
“Seriously, Jackson, what were you thinking?” Dana grabs me by the arm and pulls me toward the flower shop. “A proposal? Really?”
“Dear sister, I need your help, not an interrogation.”
“Aren’t you lucky? You’re getting both!”
“And I don’t appreciate you trying to convince Olivia that the only reason I proposed is because I want to sleep with her.”
She shrugs. “Just an observation.”
“And it’s wrong.”
“Good. Now prove it.”
I’m not due in court until late afternoon, so I enlisted my sister’s help. I’m regretting it already. I regret it even more when we walk into the flower shop and I’m bombarded with a thousand different fragrances.
“Why is it so hard to believe that I’m in love?”
I sneeze.
Dana shoots me a disapproving look. “I don’t doubt that you love her. I doubt your ability to properly express that love. Women need to be shown how much you care, Jackson. And not in the way that Natasha likes to be shown.”
Natasha was easy. Give her a big house and a platinum card and she was in heaven. But with Olivia, I have no idea what she likes. I don’t even know her favorite color.
I really am clueless. Maybe this is why all the women in my life are mad at me.
“I need Julian!” Dana bellows, and I watch as the young sales associate scampers to the back of the store. Moments later, a tall man with dreadlocks appears at the counter, smiling brightly at my sister.
“It’s so good to see you, Dana! How may I help you today?”
“Julian, this is my brother. His name’s Jackson, and he needs to seriously kiss up to the woman he loves. Money is no object. Help him?”
The florist’s grin becomes unbelievably brighter. Probably because my sister just promised him my credit card.
“Of course! What’s her name?”
“Olivia.”
Julian walks around the corner and takes me by the arm as he steers