I had this idea - what if Barry asks CB to help him propose to Lainey after CB has moved on and is seeing someone else? Will that make all his unrequited feelings for her resurface? And what if Lainey starts to have feelings for CB? Cue the drama, right? I have the first 3 (short) chapters written, but I'm thinking it will be about 5. Hope you like it!

~.~

"From this moment, life has begun

From this moment, you are the one

Right beside you is where I belong

From this moment on

From this moment, I have been blessed

I live only for your happiness

And for your love, I'd give my last breath

From this moment on"

~Shania Twain, "From This Moment On" (1997)

~.~

"All I can say is that my life is pretty plain…"

CB merrily hummed to himself as he strolled out to his Jetta after a long day of teaching at William Penn. He was excited to get back to his apartment and grade the papers his students had written on To Kill a Mockingbird. However, if he was being completely honest with himself, he was genuinely happy for the first time in months. The main reason being that CB had a new girlfriend. Well, he'd gone on a few dates with her, so he figured he really couldn't call her his girlfriend quite yet.

Her name was Amy, the girl he'd met the time he went swing dancing with Wilma and Rick. She was absolutely wonderful - pretty, sweet, funny, intelligent - all the qualities he looked for in a woman. Plus, they had so many things in common that CB couldn't believe he'd been so lucky to meet her that night. And to think he'd almost missed the opportunity by staying in and not joining his friends at the party.

"I like watching the puddles gather rain…"

CB unlocked the door to his car and slid into the driver's seat, tossing his brown satchel onto the seat beside him. He then adjusted his rearview mirror, glancing at his perfectly coiffed hair in its reflection, and made finger guns at himself.

"And all I can do is just pour some tea for two and…" he continued to sing as he placed the key in the ignition and turned over the engine.

"Hey, nice song, Bee-Bop!" Barry exclaimed from the backseat, making his presence known.

"Jesus, Barry!" CB screamed, his forehead falling against the steering wheel, startled out of his mind. "You have to stop doing that! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

"Sorry, BJ. I just wanted my presence to go undetected from… You-Know-Who," he lowered his voice, his eyes darting back and forth suspiciously. "I don't want her to know I'm in town yet."

"Well, I don't think Lainey can hear you all the way out here… in my car," CB noted in exasperation, glancing back at the school building. "Anyway, what can I do you for, Barry?"

Barry reached in his shirt pocket and pulled out a red velvet jewelry box. He opened it, showing CB the massive diamond ring inside.

"Oh, wow, that's an enormous - and I'm guessing, rather expensive - ring!" CB glanced down at the glimmering stone. He gulped, realizing just what Barry was going to do with such a grandiose gift. "You're not going to…"

"Yes, my good man," he said proudly, tucking the box back into his pocket. "I'm going to propose to my Lainey love. And I know what you're going to say about her practically leaving me at the altar last time, but we're adults now. I think she'll finally go through with it this time."

CB sighed and swept his right hand through his brown curls. He felt a tinge of jealousy, and he didn't quite understand why. He'd gotten over his crush with Lainey weeks ago and even had a date the night before with Amy. So why were his feelings of jealousy toward Barry resurfacing all of a sudden? Hadn't he moved on?

"Uh… why are you telling me this?" CB asked, trying to shake away his thoughts.

"Because, bro, since you're an honorary member of the JTP now, I'm calling in a favor," Barry said, placing a hand on his right shoulder. "Besides, you're her best friend and she trusts you."

"Right, so… what do you need me to do?" CB sadly looked down at the steering wheel, already regretting his offer to help Barry out.

"Can you make sure she gets to Bistro de L'Amore tomorrow night? Let's say, around seven-ish?" Barry requested. "I want to surprise her."

CB's mind flew back to the night he and Lainey spent at the very same restaurant after seeing Eyes Wide Shut. They'd talked and laughed all night while sharing two bottles of wine. The wait staff finally had to kick them out at about 1 am. It was one of the best nights of his life. He smiled fondly at the memory.

"Sure thing, Barry," CB agreed, somewhat disheartedly. He knew Lainey hated surprises, but he also knew this would be a welcomed surprise on her part. "I'd do anything for Lainey."

"Thanks, Bee-Bop! I knew I could count on you!" Barry held out his fist, and CB gave him a light bump with his. "Lainey is so lucky to have you as a friend!"

Barry then exited the car and took off running in his usual goofy manner, his arms flailing behind him. CB watched him leave, not even amused by the sight before him, his mind reeling at what had just happened.

Lainey was about to be an engaged woman, and CB was going to be the one to help make it happen. However, she wouldn't be engaged to him. Even though he was seeing someone else, just the thought of it made his heart hurt. However, in the end, he only wanted Lainey to be happy, and if being with Barry made her happy, then he would make sure it happened. No matter how much he hated it.