“Welcome to the family,” Nolan said with a broad grin. “Sister-in-law is almost as good as friend.”
Tyler slipped the ring on her finger and gave her another quick hug. “I was scared you’d say no.”
“I’ve missed you so much. I kept thinking about you and Katey. Especially you,” she added, part of her unable to believe he was really here.
“This calls for a toast,” Nolan said.
“I’ve got the perfect one,” Susan said once everyone had a full glass. “To love and friendship.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Nolan said.
“To love,” Tyler whispered.
“To our happy future,” Susan said, and the last of emptiness she’d experienced since returning to Auckland faded, crowded out by shiny new happiness.
Susan waited in a small room with several of the other successful girlfriends. Tyler sat beside her, neither of them saying much or explaining his presence, despite the curious glances.
Jennifer poked her head through the door. “Chelsea, they’re ready for you in front of the camera.”
One by one, the women left until only Susan and Tyler remained.
“Alone at last,” Tyler said, and he whisked her off her chair and onto his knee with surprising speed.
Laughing, she looped her arms around his neck.
“Happy?”
“Very,” she said. “Any regrets about leaving Clare?”
“I won’t miss chasing stock around in all weathers, the hard grind of farming.”
“What about the locals?”
“Probably, but it’s not as if Clare is miles away. We can visit Nolan.” Tyler halted further questions by stealing a kiss.
“Enough of that,” Jennifer said from the doorway. “Susan, they’re ready for you now. Once Hailee finishes your interview, we’ll make our surprise announcement and introduce Tyler to our viewers. Five minutes, Tyler.”
Susan ran her fingers over Tyler’s cheek, smiled and hopped off his knee. “Lipstick,” she said, tapping her lip. “I don’t think it’s your color.”
Music played as she entered the set. Nolan stood and his broad grin settled some of the nerves that jumped to the fore. The forum was already full of anti-Susan comments.
“Susan,” Hailee said once they were all settled in seats. “The public has followed you and Nolan more closely than any of the other couples. The studio has been inundated with email and comments on the forum about the newspaper stories of Susan and another man. Obviously, Nolan isn’t bothered about the rumors because he chose you as his prospective wife. Are the two of you serious about each other?” Hailee flashed a bright smile at Susan, one that invited her to share a confidence. “I’ve asked Nolan but he’s been very reticent. What’s the next step for you and Nolan?”
Nolan reached for her hand and gave her a slight nod of encouragement. Susan took a quick breath. “Nolan and I are good friends.”
“The kind of friends who get married?” Hailee prompted. “That is an engagement ring I saw on your finger?”
“The kind of friends who become brother and sister-in-law,” Susan said. “I’m engaged to Tyler, Nolan’s younger brother.”
Hailee’s smile faltered a fraction before she turned it on full-beam again. “So the rumors are true?”
“Tyler and I fell in love,” Susan said.
“But what about Nolan?”
“There’s another woman who has grabbed my heart,” Nolan said. “Susan, Lucy and the other girls are all great, but they’re not my lady.”
Hailee leaned a little closer. “Are you going to tell us the identity of your mystery woman?”
