Tell Me No Lies

38

- V E N U S -

Three years later: New Years Eve

"I like your dress." Griffin's hands rest on my waist, his lips place a kiss on the side of my face.

"Thank you." I smooth the dress out, turning to the side.

"Do you really want to go to this party?" He asks, gently turning my body towards him.

"Yeah." I nod. "Um. It doesn't matter to me. We can go."

"Okay." He squeezes my hips.

When we get to the party, all I can think about is I can finally drink legally. I'm twenty-one now. I never liked to drink, obviously. I'm over it now. I want to live my life. I feel I've been caged before I left home. By everyone, not just my parents. I guess that's why I found comfort in Griffin, he didn't make me feel trapped. If anything, I feel free with him.

"Hey, Jason, Ky." I smile, embracing him, then Ky.

"How have you been?" Jason asks, his hand reaches for my hair. "You cut it?" He smiles.

"Yeah." I nod. "I've been good. I feel like I haven't seen you in ages."

He frowns. "I know. I see Griffin every day, and you like once a week!"

"I've been busy with kids and stuff." I run my hands over my dress.

"Any interesting stories?" He wraps his arm around my shoulders.

"Mmm. Drug addicts, neglecting parents, my next case is alcoholics." I fidget with my hands. "But it's fine. It'll be fine." I nod, reassuring myself.

"Yeah. I'm glad you're doing well, Vee."

Griffin walks up behind us both. "Can I borrow her for a moment?" He grips my hand, pulling me into the crowd.

"You got a call." He says, his hand resting on my waist, and one in my hand. I drape my arm onto his shoulder as he pulls me closer.

"Who was it?" I mess with his hair.

"It was um-" He pauses, hesitating.

"Who?" I tilt my head.

"Your mother."

Those words make me freeze.

"W-what? Why?"

"She left a message. I don't know why." He taps his finger on my hip.

"What did she say?"

"I didn't listen to it."

I met his gaze. "Okay." I nod. "I'll listen to it later."

"Alright."

I had one good night. One night where I'm actually about to drink, where I'm actually about to live. I get dragged into everything again. I can't do this right now.

I mess with the ring on my hand. I wonder when he's going to propose to me? I mean, I've given so many hints. I've left wedding magazines everywhere, I post about my old friends getting proposed to, and he still hasn't gotten the hint.

"Does that ring still fit?" He tilts my hand towards him.

"Yeah." I nod, watching his face. Realization crosses over his face. "Dammit." He mumbles.

It's been three years since he tried to marry me last time. I think I'm ready now. And why wouldn't he be? He's wanted to marry me since we were eighteen.

"Shoot. Did I get a call from work or college or anything like that?" I cover my mouth. "I'm supposed to go out tomorrow for a case and they were supposed to call- where is my phone?" I reach for his pockets.