Love and Chemistry by Cheryl Dragon

jealous.”
    “Absolutely. But you’ve already gotten more of her attention, and now I can see the change as I look back. If she wants a career, best not to sleep with someone so close to a boss-type. She does work for you even if she doesn’t technically report to you. I don’t want to have to battle this with HR.”
    Colin got the message loud and clear. Minny might not like it but, in the end, it’d be best for all of their careers. “No worries. I’ll take care of it, and she’ll be in here asking for that job in IT before lunch, I’m sure of it. I am going to marry her. Give it six months or so, and you’ll see the ring.”
    “Good.” Marcus stood up and rounded the desk. He clapped Colin on the back. “Glad to hear it. Don’t forget to bring her to the next fundraiser. She’ll charm the wallets out of those old billionaires.”
    “Damn right.” Colin shook the department head’s hand as they walked to the door.

 
    Epilogue

     
    Six months later…
     
     
    Minny unlocked the door and dropped her bag just inside. Something smelled wonderful, and after back-to-back classes following work, she was starving. It was late, but he’d kept dinner warm.
    “Honey, I’m home,” she teased.
    “About time.” He got off the couch and kissed her. “Good day?”
    “Long but good.” She let him steer her to the kitchen and into a chair. “You’re spoiling me.”
    “You are doing a job and a half.” He dished out a bowl full of stew and put it on the table.
    She grabbed a slice French bread from the center of the table and found he had the butter waiting. Colin liked playing house. “Thank you for all this. I miss you so much, but I need the college experience. I promise I won’t depend on you for everything. I’m getting back in the swing of school.”
    “I understand.” He grabbed her a soda and kissed the top of her head as he set it in front of her.
    “Good.” She sighed. Adjusting to a new department took time, but in the end she was happier there. More women of her age and plenty of help with the latest technology other college kids knew by osmosis. She’d placed well on the tests and was one semester in.
    The ring on her finger was the big new change. He’d just found the right ring even though he’d proposed a month ago. He was a perfectionist. The ring gleamed up at her, and she’d wondered if he did it to get her to quit and go to school full time. Yet, they were a month into the engagement, and he hadn’t pushed the issue.
    “Stop thinking. Give your brain a rest or no hot fudge sundae for dessert.” He grinned.
    “I love you. You can’t spoil me in this way forever. A degree will take years. You’ll get tired of it.”
    “Never. You pick your major and set your goals, I’ll be there. You’re stuck with me.” He sat down across from her and smiled.
    She looked at the ring again. The round solitaire diamond was perfect. Not too big and not too small.
    “If you don’t like it, we can take it back for another one, but she was pretty sure you’d like it,” he said.
    “She? You had help?” she asked. Then she shrugged it off. “The lady at the store.”
    “No, I took your mom’s picture along. She was picky. When I finally found the right one, she was a magnet.” He pointed to the food. “Eat before it gets cold.”
    “Don’t play around. You didn’t take the picture to the jewelry store.” She rolled her eyes as she took her first bite of stew. It was almost as good as a spanking! She buttered a piece of bread and devoured the food.
    Colin just grinned and watched her.
    “What?” she said with a hand in front of her full mouth.
    “This weekend we’ll go to Sherman’s Jewelers so they can make sure it’s perfectly sized.” He nodded.
    “It’s fine.” She shrugged. He must’ve taken one of her other rings in to get it right, not that she had much jewelry worth anything.
    “But I want you to hear it from Mrs. Sherman herself, I had the picture with me.