The Dr Pepper Prophecies (38 page)

But then I already said I did, didn’t I?

Will snaps the box shut and throws it onto the sofa.  Then he strokes my cheek and gives me this loving look that almost makes me like the ring.

'I knew you’d say that,' he says and kisses me again.

Why did we wait so long to do this?

'Will,' I say, when necessity forces us to pause again. 'What happens now?  I mean, this isn’t exactly standard first date procedure.'

'True,' Will says slowly, his hands sliding from my head to my back. 'Normally we’d go out to dinner.'

'Which we’ve already done,' I point out.

'Find out all about each other,' Will continues.

'Which we’ve already done,' I say, smiling at him.

'And maybe kiss for the first time,' Will finishes, smiling back.

I smile even wider. 'Which we’ve already done,' I whisper.

Will’s hands slide lower, until they can only just be described as being on my lower back.

'Which really only leaves one thing I can think of that we haven’t done,' he says slowly.

'Definitely not something I would do on the first date,' I say.

'Me neither,' Will agrees.  His hands don’t move, but mine slide lower.

'But we’re effectively starting at a
bout the fifteenth date,' I say thoughtfully. 

At this point, I could rationalise anything.

'Meaning?' Will nudges gently.

I should probably go all coy and blush and pretend that he has to talk me into it and that I’d never do such a thing usually.

Forget it.

'Meaning,' I say, rejoicing in the fact that it doesn’t seem weird to be saying this to my best friend, 'that I think we should go to bed, right now, and catch up on all the years we’ve wasted.  Which is nine by my count, so we’ve got a lot of work to do.'

Will grins at me.  But it’s not a friend grin.  It’s a delicious, sexy grin that makes me want to eat him.

'You read my mind,' he says.

I know yo
u want to know about that night but there are no words in the English language for it, so I’m not even going to try.  Suffice to say, that night I discovered that there were a few things that I didn’t know about Will.  And, had I known them, it wouldn’t have taken us quite so long to get together.

My parents are thrilled, Will’s less so.  I really tried to show them what a good daughter-in-law I would be when I went to Sunday dinner with them, but I rather spoilt the effect by tipping gravy into my lap.  They’ll come around though.  They’ll have to, since my
dad has already started training a bower in the garden to do the wedding photos under.

As for me, well…what can I say?  Yesterday I came out of a daydream and realised that I’d scribbled ‘Mrs
. Melanie Knightley’ on my memo pad.  I swear it was only once.

Looked nice though.

Poster Girl is good to work for if you just remember a few simple rules.  Do not buy Nescafé, she won’t drink it despite what the adverts say.  Do not water her spider plant, she’s trying to kill it.  Never misuse the apostrophe.  All in all, it’s turning out well.  I won't say it's my dream, but there's time for that.  I’m earning more.  About a hundred pounds a year, but every little bit helps.  There’s even a few opportunities for advancement on offer.  I may build a career yet.

Brittany has acquired a nanny and a job.  She claims that Phillip is very supportive, but she says it in that bright voice that tells you she’s had to fight for every inch of ground to get her way.  She’s definitely happier though, so with luck he’ll come around.
  They’ve moved, but Mum and Dad haven’t.

Beth and Andrew will be engaged by the end of the year.  At least they’d better be, because I have a bet on with Will that I’m anxious to lose.

I’m not matchmaking anymore.  Even though there are these people at my work who I know would be perfect for each other.  Will is really proud of me.  I think.  Either that or he’s just wondering how long it’s going to last.

Overall, I think things have turned out rather well.  Not
Cinderella
, more like the
The 10
th
Kingdom
.  But I can live with that.

Oh, almost forgot one thing.

When Harry Met Sally
.

I definitely get that movie now.

THE END

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Jennifer Gilby Roberts has a degree in physics, so writing fiction was inevitable really. She was born and grew up in Surrey/Greater London, but now lives in Richmond, North Yorkshire with her husband, small daughter and two cats.

Her job right now is taking care of her younger daughter, but previously she worked many thrilling jobs in administration, including one in an insurance claims office (wholly unrelated to t
he one in
The Dr Pepper Prophecies
...).

She's written two novels, both in the chick-lit genre, four novella
s and a variety of short stories.