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And now here we are, heading to what I assume must be dinner because it’s seven o’clock on a Friday night.
The heat of the day has faded, replaced by a velvety warmth. A small breeze kisses my skin. I’d feel relaxed, sleepy even, if it wasn’t for Abel mentioning a “surprise” earlier. I legitimately have no idea what it could be. Why the white dress? The cute little nervous glances he keeps giving me when he thinks I’m not looking?
I’m nervous too. Excited. Still lingering in this wonderful post-sex haze where life is good, and anything is possible.
Amazing how fast things change. Less than a month ago, I was living alone, pining after a guy who only called me when he was drunk.
Life couldn’t be more different now. And yet everything somehow feels the same. Maybe because loving Abel is nothing new—I’ve been doing it for a while now. I just get to do it in the open.
I get to do it with my clothes onandoff. It’s a wonderful change of pace.
Abel squeezes my hand. “You happy?”
“Very.” I meet his eyes. They dance. “You?”
My pulse skips. I glance at my ring, which winks at me from my left hand. “I’m with you. Of course I’m happy.”
I don’t realize we’re heading for the patio until Abel grabs my hips and steers me in that direction. There’s something different about the patio tonight. The lighting maybe? And is that?—
“Wait.” I narrow my eyes. “Mollie? Is that—oh my God, itisyou!”
“Of course it’s me! I wouldn’t miss this party for the fucking world! Hiiii!” She rushes over to wrap me in a tight hug. “When Abel called this morning, I nearly fell out of my chair.”
Am I ever going to stop crying? Tears leak out of my eyes as I glance at Abel. He gives me a sheepish, watery grin.
“Surprise,” he says quietly.
I put my hands on Mollie’s shoulders. As usual, she’s dressed to the nines in pure Texas fashion: big hair, tight dress, metallic purple cowboy boots. “I don’t understand. This is—y’all are—Abel, did you?—”
“Yes!” Mollie cries. And then, because we’re well out of earshot of the rest of the party, she continues, “Abel called and explained everything. Can’t say I’m surprised Abel finally proposed for real. I love y’all together. Have since Abel came to graduation and didn’t stop looking at you with googly eyes all weekend. Ten years! Y’all have some time to make up for.”
“Trust me, we’re making up for it,” I say.
Abel rubs his neck. Mollie claps her hands. “I love how horny y’all are. All right, your guests are waiting.”
Abel on my left and Mollie on my right, I walk onto the patio to see my family and friends gathered beneath a canopy of twinkle lights. The patio’s been transformed into a party venue, complete with cocktail tables, a dance floor, and an extra bar at one end.
It’s so beautiful I start to cry all over again.
“Aw, sweetheart, congratulations!” Dad comes over to hug me. “Quite the surprise, huh? You really had no idea?”
I shake my head. “No idea. Y’all did an excellent job keeping it a secret.”
My brother appears behind Dad, Maren at his side. “I mean, it was only a secret for today. Any longer and it would’ve definitely gotten out.”
Smiling, Maren pulls me in for a one-armed hug. “He’s not wrong. Congratulations, honey. I’m so happy for y’all.”
When I say everyone is here, I meaneveryone. My family. Lu and Riley. Lu’s parents. Riley’s mom and stepmom. Mrs. Underwood, Bald Head’s resident romance novelist, and Woody from the Bait and Tackle. Lady Wade is here with Dad. Even my work friends are here, along with my neighbors from Wilmington.
“Did no one have anything going on tonight?” I ask as a margarita is placed in my hand. “There’s no way everyone you asked could make it.”
Abel shrugs, sipping his tequila. “You’re just that popular.”
“You’re just that convincing,” I say. “I can’t believe you flew Mollie in.”
He shrugs again. “I wanted to get to know your best friend a little better. May have offered her a first-class seat on her flight out of Austin.”
“That bitch. I love her.”
