Chapter 10.04

“What’s wrong, man?” I gestured toward Jessica, who was talking to Jenny.

“Ever since Daryl’s engagement, she won’t stop talking about how I should propose once she finishes school,” he blurted out. “But I don’t want to propose. I like things as they are. I want to finish school and take over my parents’ restaurant first.”

“Did you tell her that?” I asked. I knew this fear well.

“Yeah, that’s why we came separately,” he said. “You guys are here, and so are Brian and Mayoko. You’ve been together way longer, and you haven’t proposed yet. And your girl doesn’t seem bothered by it.”

“I think you should talk to her,” I said. I wasn’t great at this—Brian was better.

“Hey, Jay,” Jessica spoke behind me.

“Hey,” I said and walked straight to Jenny.

“What did you tell her, smart one?” I asked, wrapping my arms around her.

“Not to push things like a ring,” she said. “If she’s happy, she should just let it go. And if she’s not happy, a ring won’t fix that. Look at us—we’re happy, aren’t we?” She looked at me expectantly, but I simply kissed her.

Paul turned on the music, so Jenny and I went to dance.

“Look,” Jenny nodded toward something behind me. “I think you might want to start picking out your song,” she laughed.

I turned to look—Kevin was deep in conversation with Shannon.

“Looks like you cheated, beautiful,” I teased. “Shannon must have told you.”

“No, she didn’t say anything,” Jenny laughed. “If you want, go ask her.”

“Will’s going to have a good night too,” she nodded toward another spot. I followed her gaze—Will was tangled up with a red-haired girl.

The song ended, and Jenny went to get a drink.

“Here’s the camera,” Brian walked up to me. “I want to start recording.”

“Alright, go for it,” I said, setting up the camera.

Brian stepped onto the podium, and Jenny curiously joined me.

“Hey, everyone,” Brian greeted the crowd, met with loud applause. “I lost a bet, and there are definitely enough of you here to witness this,” he said, making the crowd laugh and wait in anticipation.

“Up until a few years ago, I was just like my best friend, Jay—like a bee buzzing from flower to flower,” he said, earning another round of laughter. I kept recording.

“But during a family vacation, I met a classmate who was just as bored as I was, so we started talking.”

I made sure to capture Mayoko’s smiling face in the frame.

“My perspective on the world changed in those weeks, and by the end of the trip, this extraordinary girl was no longer just my classmate—she was my love. And I owe it all to a stolen flower.”

Paul rolled in a massive bouquet, and Mayoko covered her mouth in surprise. I glanced at Jenny—she was just as caught off guard.

“Please, my love,” Brian gestured for Mayoko to join him. She stepped up beside him.

“Accept this bouquet as a symbol of my love, and let each of these hundred flowers represent a year of our future together.”

The crowd let out a collective sigh.

“Please give a round of applause to the woman who changed my life. Mayoko, I love you. Thank you all for listening.”

The crowd erupted in cheers, and Brian kissed his overwhelmed girlfriend. I stopped recording after the kiss.

“When he brought out the flowers, I thought he was proposing,” I said, making Jenny burst into laughter.

“What did I say now?” I asked.

“Mayoko isn’t a fan of crowds in situations like this,” she smiled, running her fingers through my hair. “But both confessions were well done. Though Brian’s wasn’t exactly anonymous,” she teased.

“I love you, smartypants,” I pulled her close. “We should probably start heading out soon.”

“I agree,” she kissed me. “Give me a few minutes.”

Jenny took Will and Kevin, along with Daniel and the twins, over to Paul and Susy, then started chatting with them.

I wandered over to sample the food.

“Hey,” Shannon stepped up beside me. “Looks like what I heard is true—you’re actually trying to grow up to match her.”

She started a casual conversation, but I was focused on eating.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“First,” Shannon started, “I’m sorry about the burger last year. Your dad asked me to make you jealous.”

“My dad?” I asked, surprised. She just nodded.

“He called and asked me to get your attention in any way possible—to make you talk to me. And if I succeeded, to make you jealous.”

“Well,” I laughed, “it worked. And honestly, I would’ve picked you for the job too. Nice work.”

“Thanks,” she laughed. “Jay, can I ask you a favor?” She lowered her voice.

“We’ll see,” I smirked, but her expression reminded me—she wasn’t Jenny, and she wouldn’t pick up on hints.

“What is it?” I rephrased, though I already had a guess.

“I don’t want your cousin to know about us.”

“I already told him years ago that we never slept together,” I said.

“But the rest of it?” she asked impatiently, glancing around.

“You’re a great girl, Shannon, but next to my girlfriend, you’re forgettable,” I tried to tease, but it didn’t land—she just looked at me, confused.

I sighed—I wasn’t used to this anymore.