To make my nightmare more complete, my sister is suddenly here, too, standing at my mother’s side. “Selene? Do you know Dr. Mitchell, my sister’s fiancé?”
“Dr. Mitchell?” She laughs meanly. “This is Mitch, a local bartender. And trust me when I say he isnotthe marrying kind.”
Ten
Mitch
Of course, it’d beSelene who came along to ruin the day. She’s like a tick that keeps hanging on.
I continue to clutch Allison to my side. Though I expect her to pull away any second, she hasn’t moved... yet.
Her mother is gaping at us like a fish, opening and closing her mouth, unable to form words on her tongue.
“What is she talking about?” Delia demands.
Allison seems to deflate. “Adam and I broke up. I needed a date to the wedding…”
“But you’re engaged,” Delia says, confused. “Your ring…”
Selene scoffs. “I bet it’s as fake as their engagement and worth about as much as Mitch’s imaginary medical license.”
I shake my head, anger boiling to the surface. “The ring isn’t fake. Allison deserves nothing but the best, so I bought her the best diamond Mercury Jewelers had to offer. As for the engagement…” I kneel on one knee, holding Allison’s hands as I gaze up into her lovely face. “I’ll pack my bags tonight and follow you to Nashville. I can be a mixologist anywhere. But I can’t bewholeunless I’m with you. You hold my heart in your hands, my sweet Allison. That’s how much I love you. Will you please marry me?”
Tears well in Allison’s gorgeous hazel eyes, and for the briefest moment, I fear they’re tears of embarrassment. But then her face breaks into the warmest of smiles. “I love you, Mitch. Of course, I’ll marry you.”
Selene gasps. “No!”
I ignore her, leaping up and pulling Allison into my arms for a passionate kiss.
“Don’t kiss in public,” Allison’s mother hisses. “It’s tacky.”
Delia scoffs. “Not as tacky as it is to propose at someone else’s wedding! This is supposed to bemyday!”
Allison and I break apart, and I’m overflowing with so much happiness that I can’t contain my laughter. Allison joins in, and we hold each other for a minute, just hugging and laughing while everyone stares at us like we’ve lost our minds.
Maybe we have. But I'm too in love to care.
When I can finally keep a straight face, I turn to face Allison’s family. “We’re sorry to have caused a spectacle at your reception, Delia. You’re right; it was tacky.”
Allison nods in agreement but can’t suppress the happy grin that’s stretched across her face. “Please forgive us?”
Delia's nostrils flare and she opens her mouth to respond, but I cut her off.
“In the spirt of Christmas, and considering how horrid the two of you have been to Allison, I’d suggest that you call it even.”
Allison’s mother scowls. “I hope you don’t expect us to pay for your wedding to this barbarian, Allison.”
“Bartender, Mother,” Allison says. “And if Mitch doesn’t mind, I’d prefer to elope.”
I grin at her. “As long as I get all theperksof being your husband, it doesn’t matter to me.”
And with that, I sweep my curvy bride-to-be into my arms, carry her off the dance floor, and walk toward our happily ever after.
Epilogue
Mitch
ONE YEAR LATER
