CHAPTER 5

"So tell me girl, why'd you finally say yes?" Lula took her eyes of the road to look at me.

"Watch the road!" I yelled suddenly as an old lady was making her way across the street.

"Shit!" Lula braked instinctively but seemed to have decided that swerving might save all their lives. She hit the signpost instead. "Fucking old lady." She mumbled to herself before she came out to see the damage.

I whistled as I saw the damage done, not only to Lula's car but to the signpost as well. People gathered around like flies finding dog shit. A policeman came and started asking questions. The car was finally towed, with Lula in the passenger seat of the tower. I waved to her and mouthed good-bye. Just my luck…

I took out my cell phone and gave Joe a ring. Then another ring. Then another. Where the hell was he? I looked at my watch and saw that it was almost lunchtime. There was really no need to look at my watch, when my stomach was already sounding the alarm. I searched the streets until I saw the big yellow "M".

After I gulped down my lunch, I sat silently in my chair. How the hell was I going to get to the Morgan's house? I dialed Morelli's number again. This time, it was no longer ringing but giving me a busy signal… Where, oh, where could my fiancé be? I looked at my cell phone and decided to go against reason and dialed Ranger's number. I held my breath until I heard a voice.

"Steph?" Tank's voice boomed loud and clear.

"Where's Ranger?"

"He, uh, kind of can't get to the phone right now?" I raised my eyebrows.

"He can't get to his cell phone? Shouldn't he have it with him in the first place?"

"Hey, you don't always have your cell phone with you!" I groaned, what was going on?

"Listen, Tank, I really need to talk to Ranger. I'm, uh, in need of his service." There was a muffled sound as Tank placed a hand on the speaker. I wondered if Ranger was there beside him.

"Tank, is Ranger there? Who are you talking to?"

"Babe, where are you?" I caught my breath at the shiver his voice sent through my spine. I told him where I was. He told me to wait up. I told my self to behave like an engaged woman.

It took him fifteen minutes to get to the restaurant. I knew Ranger was inside because all the women started to get that dreamy look in their eyes. I waved at him and he made his way to my table.

"What's this about? You and Morelli broke up?" I wasn't sure if he was joking or if there was a hint of hope in his eyes. I could never really trust my people-reading skills.

"I need you to help me bring in an FTA…" I told him about the case.

"Why don't you ask your fiancé for help?" Why the hell was he always bringing Joe up. Now I could sense some bitterness in his words.

"Because I couldn't reach him! What is wrong with you anyway? Are you mad at me for accepting his proposal or something? You should be happy, it was you who sent me back to him in the first place!" I was getting angrier by the minute. What did he expect? That Joe and I would stay as an on and off couple forever?

"Would you have said yes, if I asked you to marry me?" His words where whispered. My heart stopped beating and my jaw fell open. He was staring straight into my eyes. He looked deadly serious, and then there was something else in his eyes that I couldn't read. He stood up silently and started for the exit. He was halfway there, when he turned around.

"Are you coming or what? I don't have all day." I was still stunned at his words a few minutes ago, and now I was confused. Did I just imagine that he asked me the question? He was acting as if nothing happened.

I stood up slowly and followed him to his car. I slid inside the car and looked at him as he started the engine and drove off. I wanted to ask him if he had really asked me the question and if he expected an answer. But he looked straight ahead and didn't seem like he wanted to chat.

I looked out the window instead and wondered on all the possible reasons why he would ask me that question. Jealousy? Curiosity? Love… I shivered at the last notion. Ranger loved me? My mind was floating at the idea when I was suddenly startled by his deep voice.

"We're here." I stole a glance towards him again and was shocked to find he was already outside leaning into his open window. We had stopped minutes ago and I didn't even notice. I got out quickly and looked at Lindsay Morgan's house. I couldn't think of a way to approach her. All I could think about were those haunting words.

"Babe, are you okay?" I whipped my head around. Am I okay???

"No I'm not okay! How could you think I would be when you put inside my head the possibility of you asking me to be your wife?" This time it was his turn to look surprised.

"Fuck." I suddenly smiled as I finally realized something…

"You never meant to say it out loud, did you?"