Nodding happily, I reach into the bag and come into contact with something hard. “What in the world?” I pull it out and stare at it, nonplussed. “Why is there a jewelry box in my—”
Hunter takes me by the hand as he gets down on one knee. Jake sits beside him, his tail thumping. “I didn’t do this right the first time, but since then I talked with your parents and let them know my intentions toward their daughter.”
“You did?”
“Will you marry me?” he asks, then uses his free hand to flip open the dark blue box. Nestled inside is a diamond ring. It sparkles in the sunlight and puts rainbows on our skin.
“Yes,” I say, throwing myself against him, kissing him with all the love inside of me. When I hear people whistling and cheering, I pull away, my cheeks heating a little.
“Jake wants to know if you’ll come live with us since you’re going to make an honest man out of me.” Hunter’s green eyes are so full of hope and love as he places the ring on my finger.
“Can I move in tonight?”
His fingers caress my cheek. “Absolutely.”
Suddenly, Jake starts barking…at his shadow.
“That dog sure knows when to add to the mood, huh?” Hunter asks with a laugh.
These are the sounds of my heart, the sounds of my future, and the sounds of my home.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Epilogue
Hunter
Today is our wedding day. Exactly one year to the day since I first met Evangeline. While I didn’t wait very long to pop the question, I did think our engagement would be longer than four months, not that the amount of time mattered to me.
My concern was for Evangeline. For her to have time to do all the things she didn’t get to do with her first engagement, like parties and showers. For her to shout it to the world, instead of keeping it a secret that could only be spilled after the deed was done.
Apparently, I had nothing to worry about. Right after we announced our news to our families, our respective mothers joined forces and planned more parties and showers than the world had ever seen.
Or at least it felt that way to me.
Glancing at the clock on the wall of the groom’s dressing room, I rub my hands together in anticipation. In T minus fifteen minutes, I get to marry the love of my life. I get to make babies with her, although we already started on that front since she stopped taking the pill last month.
Memories of being inside Evangeline that first time without protection threaten the fit on my suit. I exhale, trying to will my erection down. Nothing says romance like a hard-on in front of two hundred guests.
“You can always disappear, you know,” Dwight says. “I know people.”
“Will you ever stop rubbing it in my face?”
Dwight considers my words for a moment. “Nope. I like a lateral promotion.” Last month, Dwight was selected for a special task force on combating a rising mafia crime ring. To imagine the mafia in a small town like Forrestville is almost laughable. But hey, the truth is always stranger than fiction.
“I’m sure the senator can afford to hire a new head of security,” Hayden mutters as he adjusts his cuff links.
I shake my head. “I’m good.”
“Wish I were.” Things between Hayden and his dad aren’t getting any better, and now that the political season is gearing up for the November elections, Senator Walker is putting a tremendous amount of pressure on Hayden to give up his job in order to run for a state office. Something about perpetuating the family name in politics. I’m not sure exactly, but I am sure I’m glad it’s not me.
“Maybe once he gets elected to Washington, he’ll leave you alone.”
“He won’t leave me alone until I’m married or he’s dead.” Hayden tosses back the rest of his scotch. “Probably won’t stop then, either.”
The wedding planner sticks her head in our room. “Time to go, gentlemen.”
“You heard the lady.” I gesture for my buddies to go ahead of me.
We walk as one to the main hall, where chairs are lined up in rows on each side. There’s a sign with the words PICK A CHAIR, NOT A SIDE by the door and I grin. That is all my bride. I guess that’s all me, too.
My mother’s relatives have traveled all the way from Tijuana while Evangeline’s traveled from the North Carolina coast, and they are all sitting together, with the only nod to tradition at the front—my mother and abuela are seated on one side and Evangeline’s parents on the other. The only family that is missing is Jake, but we left him snoring in his bed at home. Lately he’s not been much on crowds, so that’s fine with him.
Interspersed throughout are the friends we’ve made, as well as coworkers. I even spy some boys in blue seated on the end aisle.
As soon as we’re in place, the preacher nods at us and a lone guitarist begins to play. Piper Simmons walks up the aisle, her hands clutched tight around a small gathering of roses. Next is Saylor, the frames of her glasses matching the yellow bridesmaid gown.
Hayden leans in. “Who is she?”
“She’s a nice girl.” I give him a look, but he doesn’t see me. Hayden’s too busy staring at Saylor. “You don’t like nice girls, remember?”