9 1/2 Days (20 page)

“Go do the hair-and-makeup thing and put on a dressy outfit. I’ll come pick you up in about thirty minutes.”

She looked down at the hole in the right knee of her jeans, then at the yellow latex glove on her left hand. Her Saturday morning had been spent on routine housecleaning. When the phone rang, she’d been scrubbing the grout between the kitchen tiles.

“I need more than a half hour to get ready.”

“Sorry, you can’t have it. I’m initiating our
anytime
agreement. See you in thirty.”

“Danny—”

He’d already hung up. Jordan set down the receiver and smiled. Anytime, huh? She pulled off her glove and quickly put away the cleaning supplies. Although the agreement she and Danny made was supposed to have ended over a month ago, they still took pleasure in being spontaneous and acting out the occasional fantasy.

She glanced at her watch and made a dash for the stairs. They were more than halfway through the
Fifty Fast Fantasies
book. Which one had he chosen this time and why did she have to dress up? Could it be A Rise from the Boss? Or maybe it was Dropping His Legal Briefs? Her pulse fluttered in anticipation. Whatever the fantasy, it would be acted out with the man she loved.

Exactly thirty minutes and twenty seconds later, Jordan opened the door for Danny. She grinned when he whistled appreciatively. Turning in a circle, she modeled her cream wool sweater dress and the purple boots Sheris had given to her. She’d left her hair down the way he liked it and kept her makeup to a minimum.

“You look beautiful, Jordan. Love the boots.”

“You’re looking pretty fabulous yourself.” She eyed the muted pin-striped charcoal suit that fit his broad shoulders and lean build like a second skin. “So, where are we going and what happens when we get there?”

Danny reached into his jacket pocket. When she saw the items he removed, she burst into giggles. He grinned at her as he held up a silk necktie and a medium-sized banana. “You know the routine, darling. Stay quiet and walk toward the Jeep.”

“You’re kidnapping me?”

He closed the front door behind them and brandished the fruit at her. “No funny business, lady. I don’t want to have to use this.”

Danny helped her into the vehicle and then he carefully secured his necktie over her eyes. Jordan heard him open the other door, slide into the driver’s seat and start the engine. Though she couldn’t tell how far they traveled, the time passed quickly with laughter and flirting and kisses at traffic lights. Before she knew it, Danny had stopped the Jeep.

“Where are we?”

“This fantasy is different from anything we’ve done before. And, I have to admit, I’m a little nervous.”

“Really? Ooh, must be kinky.” Jordan wiggled her brows beneath the necktie. “What’s this one called?”

She felt Danny take her left hand and suddenly her heart fluttered when he slipped a ring onto the third finger. Omigod. Jordan ripped off the blindfold and stared. The square-cut solitaire nestled between two rows of smaller diamonds glittering in the October sunlight.

“Oh. My. God.”

“The name of this fantasy is Be My Bride. No more faking, Jordan. This ring is real and so is my love. Will you marry me?”

“Yes. Absolutely. Yes, yes, yes!”

A wide smile spread across her face as she felt tears sting her eyes. In his gaze she saw all the love she felt reflected. Jordan reached over the gearshift to give him a hard, passionate kiss. Danny leaned back a moment later and looked at her with a tender expression.

“If you’re ready, then let’s go inside.”

She smoothed her palms over her hair and turned in the seat. She had just grabbed the door handle when she saw where they were. A gasp of surprise escaped her and all she could do was stare.

They were parked next to the curb outside her family’s church in Annapolis. The tears that had only threatened before trickled down her cheek. She looked at the people standing on the front steps. There was her mother and father, and beside them, stood both sets of grandparents. Her sister, Mason and her brothers were here as well. And Aunt Celeste, Uncle Matt and Keisha had flown up from Atlanta. She saw David, grinning down at them and waving, standing with his new partner. And next to him were two people who could only be her future in-laws.

Danny opened the car door and passed her a handkerchief. He waited patiently while she repaired her face, then held out his hand. “I love you, Jordan. Let’s go make nine and a half days last forever.”

She smiled even as her eyes filled again, and Danny smiled back. Jordan took his hand and walked with him toward the chapel.

9
¹
/
₂
DAYS

Copyright © 2004 by Mika Boblitz.

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