California Sunshine (22 page)

              She laughed again. "Thank God. It tastes like rubber. Call me later and let me know about you and Josh. Bye."

              I smiled. "Bye," I replied, hanging up and setting my phone back down on the counter.

              I put breakfast on a tray, poured coffee and orange juice and carried it to my room. I heard the shower running so I sat it on the bed. I laid on my stomach and began scrolling through my e-mail. That's when I spotted it. "Party tonight. Yes or no?" Of course, Ryan was the sender. I opened it and began to read:

                            "Jo-

                            You coming to the party tonight? I don't have your personal number. I'd                             love to have a drink with you again ;)

                            Ryan."

              I sighed heavily, hit reply and began typing.

                            "Ryan.

                            No, I'm not coming to the party tonight. I've already told you my boyfriend                             is in town, plus I'm going to visit family and friends tonight. Unless it's                             work related we'll never have another drink. That was once, and that was                             so I could sign you. I'm happily taken, I'm taking it you aren't. You'll find                             someone, but it's not me. I'm sorry. Now do not e-mail me unless it's for                             work.

                            Joanna O'Neal

                            A&R Manager

                            Tennessee River Records

                            Nashville, TN"

              Just then Josh walked out of the bathroom with just a towel around his waist.

"You look irritated."

              "I am," I said, throwing my phone on the side table.

              "What happened?" He asked, grabbing clothes from his suitcase.

              "Ryan happened. I know it's still a sore subject, but he e-mailed me. Wanting me to come to that party tonight. You can read my reply, I told him no and not to contact me again unless it's for work. Here." I said, handing him my phone.

              He tossed it on the bed and pulled his sweater over his head. "I believe you. We should go, though."

              I sat up and looked at him. "No. You're a man, he's a man, I'm not dealin' with that crazy."

              He laughed. "Alright, fair enough. You made red velvet waffles? How long have you been awake?"

              I looked at the clock. "'Bout two hours. Hey, Ash wanted to know if we wanted to go over to her parent's for lunch."

              "Sounds good to me," He replied buttoning his jeans and I couldn't help but watch.

              "Well, now I know how uncomfortable it is when guys stare at girls breasts."

              A blush spread across my face like wildfire. "I'm so sorry."

              He laughed. "Don't be. Just saying. Let's eat, I'm starving."

              Once we were done and the dishes clean, it was almost time to go. I changed into skintight ripped jeans, a red slouch Christmas sweater, and high heeled boots. I left my hair down and slightly curled it. I swiped some mascara on my lashes and added just a little blush.

              "I swear you get more and more beautiful everytime I see you," Josh remarked when I walked into the living room where he'd been waiting.

              "Thanks, you ready?"

              "Yeah, hold on, though." He stood and walked towards me. "There's another reason I came out here." As soon as I saw his hand go into his pants pocket I began to panic. "I wanted to ask you something--"

              I stopped him. "Uh, are you sure?"

              He smiled. "I'm sure. I actually bought this day before yesterday before you broke up with me." He slowly got down on one knee and I felt like I was going to throw up. "I know we've only been together a very short while, and I'm not asking you to walk down the aisle tomorrow. That will happen eventually, but Joanna, will you marry me?"

              I'm pretty sure my heart stopped. What the hell was I supposed to say?

              "Jo?" He asked, sounding worried.

              "Yes," I whispered. I surprised myself, I wasn't expecting to say yes, but I had.

              "What?"

              "Yes, Josh. Yes." I replied, biting my bottom lip and smiling.

              He stood quickly. "You're being serious right? You're not joking?"

              I laughed. "I'm bein' serious. I know, I surprised myself too, but I love you and I cain't imagine bein' with nobody else. Ever."

              He grabbed my left hand gently and slipped the ring on. It was a circular diamond set into a circular frame. Small diamonds set around the bigger one and down the sides. It was beautiful, and I loved it, but not near as much I loved him.

              "I know it's quick, but like I said, it can be a year or two from now. I don't care. I just know that I want to make you mine for real. It's not a jealousy thing, it's not an insecure thing, it's an I love you so damn much that I can't let you go. I love you so much that when I'm gone, you're the first thing I think of in the morning and the last thing I think of at night. I'm willing to leave California for you. I haven't said anything because I wanted to make sure this was fixable first."

              The tears began to fall. "I don't even know what to say to that. Except I feel like a terrible person for breakin' up with you 'cause I let my past interfere with my future."

              He wiped my tears gently. "No, no, baby don't feel like a terrible person. The fear is real. Shit, I got jealous yesterday, I've never been like that before. Just know that I have been and forever will be faithful to you. I love you, Joanna."

              I threw my arms around his neck as he picked me up. "I love you too. And I will always, always be faithful to you." I whispered as he tightened his grip on me.

              We arrived at Ashley's parents house, but before we went in I turned to Josh.

              "You ready for this? They're all gonna freak when they see this ring on my finger."

              He smiled. "I'm ready, are you?"

              "Yes," I replied, taking his hand as we walked in.

              I found Ashley and her mom in the kitchen. No one else had made it yet.

              "Hey, y'all. Where's Amanda, Jason, and Jacob?"

              Ashley turned quickly and hugged me. "Hey, you were supposed to call me."

              I smiled. "I know. I'm sorry. We ate and got ready. I did send you a text, though. Hey, Mrs. Newberry."

              She laughed. "Oh Jo, it's Roxanne and you know that. Or mama." She winked at me.

              I laughed. "Alright, alright mama. Sorry, I ain't been around in a while."

              "Don't worry about it. I know you're busy, how's Josh?"

              "I'm good Roxanne. How are you?" Josh asked, walking in and placing his hand on my lower back.

              "I'm good. Gosh, y'all are adorable together."

              Josh chuckled, "Well thank you. Where's Jason and Jacob?"

              "They'll be here shortly. They were askin' about ya'll."

              I smiled. "Ah, cain't wait to see my siblin's."

              Ashley laughed. "Mama thought she just had four kids. Little did she know she was gonna end up adoptin' two and gettin' another son by marriage?"

              "Let's see here. Amanda and her husband Robert, Jacob and his wife Macy, Jason and his fiancee Natasha. You and Mike, and you and Josh. So really I did adopt two and got two more sons and another daughter. I also got three grandbabies."

              "Hold on, when did Jason get engaged?" I asked.

              "Couple months ago. She's an amazin' girl. Just like the rest of ya'll."

              Just then we heard the front door open. "Mamaw!" We heard two kids yell and a collective patter of footsteps running in our direction.

              "Matthew, Luke! Y'all stop runnin'!" I heard Amanda call after them and they stopped in their tracks.

              "Rebekah, quit your runnin'." Jason said to a little blond, curly-haired little girl.

              Josh draped his arms over my shoulders and leaned his chin against my head gently. I put my hands on top of his, not even thinking about the ring.

              I heard Ashley gasp and grab my hand. She shot a look at Josh who leaned down and kissed my cheek.

              "When were ya'll gonna tell us?!"

              I laughed. "I wanted to see if you'd notice."

              "Astronauts could see that ring girl!" Amanda exclaimed.

              "So you said yes? Good." Mike said, walking into the kitchen and pulling Josh towards the back door.

              "Hold on you knew?" Ashley asked.

              Mike smiled, nodding. "I'm his best friend. I only knew he was asking and what it looked like. He didn't show it to me until we were getting ready to land yesterday. It's beautiful by the way Joanna. Now I'm taking him with me."

              I couldn't help but laugh. "Fine, fine. Y'all have fun doin' what you're gonna be doin'."

              "We need to talk," Ashley said, taking my hand and almost dragging me out of the kitchen towards the front door.

              "What the hell Ash?" I asked as soon as she pulled me through the front door.

              "Y'all've been together for like two months if that. You think gettin' engaged is a good idea?"

              "We ain't walkin' down the aisle tomorrow. Maybe a year or two."

              "Uh huh, and you gonna move to Cali? We both know he's not leavin' that place."

              "Really? That's not what he told me this mornin'. He said that he's willin' to leave Cali for me."

              Her mouth dropped. "Really?"

              "Why does that surprise you?"

              "'Cause I remember one time he told Mike he'd never leave California for some chick. No matter how much he loved her."

              "Maybe he changed his mind?"

              She smiled. "You got him hooked girl, he'd follow you to the ends of the Earth. Come on, we'll talk later about this. Let's go help mom."

              I smiled. "Sounds good to me." I replied as we walked back inside together, her talking to me, but I didn't hear a word because I was floating on a cloud.
 

Chapter 23

              We were all sitting down for lunch when the conversation turned to Josh and I. Roxanne turned to us, and I knew it was coming.

              "So when are y'all plannin' on gettin' married?"

              I looked at Josh, who met my gaze. "We're not sure yet. Maybe a year or two. I'm not in a rush, we're going at Jo's pace."

              I smiled. "Probably a year. Y'all know I can be impatient."