Ashton was finally on his feet, smoothing out his shirt, looking disgusted. He caught my eye and mouthed,sorry, dude.
I wasn’t even going to ask everyone if they were ready again. The universe was obviously taking it as a dare.
“Christy.” I exhaled. “Last summer you came into my life unexpectedly.” I paused making sure Fate was truly done having her laugh. No one so much as twitched. Deep breath. “I had no idea making out with my brother’s ex would be so rewarding.”
Her mom squealed again. But Christy snorted. I’d added that line just for that snort right there. Success! At least one thing had gone right.
I took another deep breath and plowed on. “But now?—”
“Uh, hold up, Holden,” Silas bellowed, his voice verging on hysterical. We looked over to see Lemon, knock-kneed,trying—and failing—to stop what looked to be a gallon of liquid from exiting between her legs. “I think we’re having a baby today!” Silas hooted.
We lost our entire audience at that. Even Christy’s parents swarmed Lemon who was laughing giddily as she gasped out short breaths. At least Anna’s sobs were sidetracked. A grin split her face.
“Hey.”
I turned back around to see Christy, elbows on her knees, chin on her fists, beaming at me. “Looks like this was meant to be a you and me moment. So have at it, big guy.”
I looked back at the group and then back at her. It was an easy choice.
“Yeah, okay.” Enough with the monologue. I didn’t want to tempt Fate again. I slipped my hand into my pocket and fished out the ring box. Then I popped it open for her to see.
Big, bright swoony eyes, her mouth went into a stunned O. It was exactly what I’d hoped for. “Christianna Juliet Thornbury, you are the love of my life. Will you marry me?” I chuckled. “Even if I do have the most ridiculous family on earth?”
She nodded, eyes sparkling. “Yes. Absolutely. I cannot wait. One hundred percent. Let’s do it.”
I blew out my breath as I slid the round diamond, surrounded by a rim of sapphires, over her petite finger. A perfect fit. “The blue stones are for?—”
“Stallions blue. So we never forget coaching volleyball together, the shirtless kiss, the car accident in the parking lot? All of it?”
I grinned. “Yeah. I hope that’s okay. ’Cause if you hate it, we can take it back.” Total lie. I’d had it custom-made. But I wouldn’t tell her that. She could have any ring she wanted so long as she was mine.
She cupped my face in her hands, pulling me into a fullkneel. And then, the ring finally on her finger, she kissed me. “I love it. I love you. It’s absolutely perfect.” She waved her hands at the decorations and the crazy group of people we called family. Her eyes teared up then. “If I had to do it all again, date all the jerks, cry all the tears, knowing you were my prize at the end, I would.” She pressed another kiss to my mouth. “Because you were so worth waiting for, Holden.”
There I was, on my knees, in front of this stunner of a woman who made me laugh, cry, and feel things I never thought I’d feel again. I didn’t know what I’d done to deserve her. But I wasn’t going to spend a single second questioning it. I was hers. She was mine.
That was all that mattered.
“Clark,” she whispered as she checked out the ring. “Remember that time you told me we weren’t a thing and we never would be?”
I groaned. “Really? We’re doing this now?” She liked to throw those words back in my face every few weeks, always with a delighted laugh. Like she’d slayed the town’s monster, slung it over her shoulder, and brought it home for everyone to celebrate.
“Mhmm. Right now.” She giggled. “And remember when I told you I would always win?” She put her ring right in my face. “Looks like somebody is eating a big fat slice of humble pie right about now.”
My jaw jutted. “Just wow.”
She beamed. “Say it.”
I glared and bit back a grin. “No. And you can’t make me.”
“Do it, Epstein.” She cocked her head to one side. “Tell me what I want to hear.”
“Never.”
She raised a brow. “Is that right?”
It was basically a memorized script at this point. The exactsame words every time, followed by her doing something to make me yield. A steamy kiss, a tickle across the abs. The woman always found the chink in my armor. But not today. TodayIwas in charge.
I crossed my arms. “That’s right. I know all your tricks now.” Her brows puckered, not the least bit intimidated. “Well, that’s a shame.” She slipped the ring off and held it out for me. “It really is a pretty?—“
