�Better Than Best� Chapter 19: She Said What?

Dan looked up as I sat down across from him again. He looked distraught and concerned. I cleared my throat.

�Dan,� I said. �We�ve got to talk.�

�Okay, let�s talk,� he replied.

�Dan you know that I love you and will always be there for you through everything. You mean everything to me and there�s no one else I�d rather be with than you. And I�m so surprised and happy that you want to be with me for the rest of your days. It�s so heartwarming,� I paused.

�Jenna are you saying what I hope you�re saying?� Dan asked hopefully.

�Dan, I would be honored if you asked me again,� I smiled.

�Jenna, will you marry me?� Dan held the ring out to me and I took it.

�Yes Dan. I will marry you. Thanks for asking,� I said as he slipped the ring on my finger.

Just then the waiter came by and paused at our table. �How is everything?�

�She said yes!� Dan screamed at him.

�I�m sorry sir, she said what?� the waiter was perplexed.

�She�s going to marry me!� Dan said in a singsong voice.

�Congratulations!� the waiter said. �Dinner on the house!�

People at surrounding tables were starting to look at us weird. �Dessert for everyone!� I laughed.

Dan jumped up and hugged me. I didn�t want to let go. The restaurant started cheering. I saw Kayla and she gave me a thumbs up. This was the best decision I had made in a long time.

After dinner, Dan and I walked hand in hand to our house. We were back in Orlando after Dan�s LA hospital stay and it was good to be home and sleeping in my own bed. Well, Dan�s own bed. Everything was so perfect in my life. I was happy and nobody could change it.

We walked into the house and went into the kitchen where we found the guys sitting around the table eating cereal. Ashley looked up and saw the smile on my face.

�Whoa, what�s going on?� he asked.

�Guys, we have an announcement,� Dan beamed.

�What? What is it?� Trevor asked excited.

�Jenna and I are engaged!� Dan almost shouted. He was so excited and who could blame him? I felt the exact same way.

�What?� Ashley asked angrily. �You said yes?� He directed his last comment at me.

�Ash!� I said shocked. �Aren�t you happy for me?�

�No. I could take it when you were a couple, even when you were all over each other, but this I cannot take!� Ashley got up from the table and in the process knocked his bowl to the ground. It shattered and everyone was shocked. What was Ashley�s deal?

�Ashley, what the hell is wrong with you, man? This is not something to be angry about!� Jacob yelled at his friend.

�Yes it is, especially when I love Jenna,� Ashley was close to tears now.

�Ash, I love you too,� I said.

�No! I don�t mean that I love you like a friend. I have this deep attraction to you, one that I can�t explain and one that you�ll never know because of him,� he pointed at Dan.

Dan was about to explode. His clenched his fist. He was about to deck Ashley and Ashley had it coming. �Are you sure you wanna go there, Ashley?� Dan snarled at him.

�What Dan? Are you gonna hit me? Huh? Step up, boy!� Ashley was up in Dan�s face.

Trevor and Jacob went over to Ashley, ready to break this up. Dan looked Ashley square in the eye. He was ready for this and wasn�t about to back down.

�Don�t Ashley. Don�t even mess with me,� Dan said. �You know I would take you down.�

�You son of a�� Ashley said as he lunged for Dan. Jacob and Trevor caught his and pulled him away. Ashley was kicking and fighting with them. �Put me down! That asshole has it coming!�

�Ashley! For crying out loud! Shut up and clam down! You don�t want to fight Dan,� Jacob screamed at him.

�What the hell do you think you�re doing?� Trevor said.

Ashley kicked and twisted in their grasp until he finally settled down. When he had, they let him go. He looked at me with longing in his eyes. I glared back at him.

�Take a walk, man. Cool off,� Jacob pushed Ashley toward the door.

With a grunt, Ashley left the house making sure to slam the door on his way out. We all looked at each other.

�Dude, what was that?� Trevor looked at me.

�I have no idea,� I said.

�Well congratulations anyway,� Jacob said to Dan and I.

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