"Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!" to his half-assed idea of a marriage proposal.

He cleared his throat. "I would appreciate your answer, Andrea. Now, if you please."

She couldn't think of any way to let him down easily, politely. So in the end she blurted out the truth. "No way am I marrying you, Bradley—not in a million years."

And then, just to make certain he got it, she sucked in a deep breath and followed up with, "Not if you were the last man on earth."

Not bad, Karylon said. Would have been more effective about five minutes ago, mind you. But not bad.

"Andrea—" Bradley began.

"Oh, hush!" Andie snapped, meaning Karylon, not Bradley.

Bradley opened and closed his mouth like a big old fish.

Karylon cackled with unholy glee.

Andie's head swam as exhaustion—both physical and mental—smacked her in a smothering wave.

Could this situation get any worse?

Dumb question. All she needed now was for Jake to walk in. Jake and Bradley and Karylon in the same room together would be a disaster of monumental proportions.

~~~

Copyright 2012 Maree Anderson

www.mareeanderson.com