Building

Chapter 4

I watched Ranger approach, seemingly all business. There was a slight change in his eyes when he saw me standing next to Connie's desk.

"Babe, where's your phone?" he asked pointedly.

I checked my handbag. "I forgot to turn it on. Sorry."

Ranger just shook his head.

"Look Ranger, if you want some real talent, why not give me a try. Stephanie can't remember her name half the time. What kind of partner could she ever make?" Joyce asked spitefully.

Ranger's face hardened, not that Joyce would notice. Lula coughed loudly and Connie just turned her eyes to the paperwork on the desk.

"Babe, can I talk to you outside?" Ranger had chosen to ignore Joyce.

I followed him outside, anxious to find out what brought him here. "Ric, did you just want me to turn on my phone? Why were you trying to reach me?"

He pulled me into the alley, our usual necking place. "Babe, I wanted to apologize about yesterday and this morning. I was mad, but I really didn't have any reason to be."

"Ric, it's all right. I was a total jerk. Here you were asking me to marry you and I go and send out mixed signals."

He smiled. "Are you saying that you are willing to marry me?"

I leaned into him. "More than you'll ever know, but I don't want to force you into it."

"Babe, marrying you wouldn't be a chore. Keeping you in shoes, now that's a chore, but I'm willing to sacrifice if you promise to keep shopping at Victoria Secret as well."

We kissed and hugged. I wasn't sure, but I think we just got engaged.

Ranger walked me back to the office. He entered behind me, causing a smile on Lula's face. "Got any files for Rangeman?" he asked Connie.

Connie smiled up at him. "Sure, Ranger," she said, grinning over at Joyce, who was seated on the couch. "Bet I can guess what you and Steph were up to."

Ranger smiled back at her. "Bet you can't. We were deciding to become engaged. Now you don't have to question her after I leave." He turned to Joyce. "As for you, I suggest you stay the hell away from Steph. I won't hold her back if she decides to kick your ass."

Lula cheered and Connie laughed. I just stood there with my mouth open. Ranger took the opportunity to give me another mind-blowing kiss. "See you at dinner, Babe." Then Ranger left the building.

Both Connie and Lula started talking at the same time. I stayed quiet until I noticed that Joyce was slipping out the door.

"Oh my god," I cried. "Ranger wants to marry me." Even saying it out loud didn't take away any of the shock I was feeling. We have been living together and this was the natural next step, but I was still feeling a bit overwhelmed. Not to mention the comments he made to Joyce.

"Girl, this is so wonderful. Batman and Bombshell. I can't believe it. Knew that man would finally wake up and get smart."

Connie chimed in, "When and where?"

"I don't know. I mean we talked about this before, off and on. There's no reason to rush into anything." Even as I heard myself say it, I knew that what I really wantedwas to be Ranger's wife. I didn't feel that way about Joe, my only other prospect for marriage according to my mother, but I was deeply in love with Ric. I needed to make it permanent in my mind. I know it really wouldn't change anything that we have now, but for some reason, I really wanted it. Maybe Ric wanted it too.

"Girls, I have to run. I'll call later," I tossed over my shoulder on the way out. I grabbed my cell phone. I hit one on the speed dial.

"Yo, Babe," came the immediate response.

"Yo, yourself. Did you mean it?"

"Yeah, Babe, I do. What about you?"

"I want you very badly!" I tried to use my sexiest, breathy voice.

"Meet me at the house. Be there in 15." With that said, he hung up. I wanted to get to the house first.

I pulled into the driveway, not bothering to put the car in the garage. I rushed up the stairs and started to change clothes. Ranger was early. I heard him coming up the stairs.

"Babe?" he called as he entered our room. I heard him shut the door.

"Here," I replied, watching him turn to the sound of my voice.

"Babe, where'd you get that?" He was referring to the silky, nearly see through kimono I was wearing.

"Just something I picked up. I thought that I should answer your proposal in style." I moved toward him.

"You can answer it in nothing at all if you want, just as long as you say yes." His eyes never left my face.

"I plan on saying 'yes' to a lot this morning. You'd better let Tank know we're taking an early lunch."

"I'll tell him we're taking the day off," he answered, flipping his phone open and pressing a speed dial number.

"Yo," he said. "Steph and I are out the rest of the day."

I watched as he listened to Tank.

"No, but we're celebrating our engagement. I 'm turning off the phone. Call the house if you have an emergency."

He listened again and laughed.

When he had hung up the phone, I asked, "What was so funny?"

"Tank said it was about time I got my head out of my ass."