Page 143 of Painted Truths

“Thank you, Mrs Goode. You’ve been a wonder, as always.”

Martha’s face flushes a deep crimson as her smile encompasses the entire space before eventually landing on mine to send me her signature kind smile.

“I’m late to the party, unfortunately.” Henry continues. “However, judging from Martha’s words, it seems you have all developed an affinity for Olivia and her passionate work with those less fortunate than we.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to pay homage to the most amazing female influence in my life. My mother was a firm believer in kindness, in doing right by others, in living your life without regret but with compassion and in loving with your whole heart.”

I plead with myself to not allow the tear that threatens to fall at his entirely out-of-character declaration.

“She told me once that when I knew I’d found my love, my forever, that I’d fall hard and I’d fall fast, and Jesus if that didn’t happen years ago when I saw Olivia Parker dancing in a crowded room as though no one was watching.”

His eyes meet mine across the space—meet and hold and fill me to bursting with love and wonderment.

“I fell in love with you then. I have fallen in love with you more each and every day since then. And I’ll continue to fall in love with you each and every day between this day and my last day. Even then, I’ll continue to love you all the way into eternity.”

He steps from the podium as my heart beats with a pace to rival the speed of light when Nate nudges me and gestures that I should stand up.

I glance around past Martha’s empty seat to Ted, who shoos me forward, smiling broadly as though everyone is in on the joke and I’m the last to know.

I stand hesitantly, looking around the space, but everyone’s eyes are trained on Henry in wonderment. Finally, I turn back to face him, his eyes capturing me and holding me prisoner so that I begin to close the distance between us, helpless to fight that gravitational pull.

My gown swishes around my feet, the tulle moving freely around my legs until I’m within touching distance.

“Liv.” His voice drops to a harsh rasp. “Peaches. May I have this dance?”

I can’t help drawing my brows together as I glance around, my consciousness held so tightly in Henry’s thrall that I am wholly oblivious to all present. “There’s no music.”

I’ve barely finished my sentence, when an acoustic guitar strums tunelessly from the darkened area set up for the band. Light slowly fills the space until I see Caden sitting on a chair with his guitar resting on his lap, a mic in front of his lips.

As though they’d rehearsed it, Caden winks once, face breaking into his signature shit-eating grin, before breaking into the opening of These Arms of Mine.

My stomach fills with anticipation as Henry pulls me into his embrace, slowly moving me around the dancefloor, our eyes holding for an age before he speaks. His words don’t carry over the music and are intended solely for my ears.

His gaze becomes even more intense, if that were even possible.

“When I kept us apart… when I was trying to do the right thing and making us both so fucking miserable as a result, I’d often listen to this song. I’d have it on repeat, purely to torture myself with thoughts of having you in my arms just once more. I fed myself a whole load of bollocks, a stomach full of lies, a billion and one painted truths to keep you at arm’s length, and I can promise you, Liv, I’ll never lie to you or to myself. Ever again.”

I bite my inner lip to keep my emotions over his confession at bay, though I’m sure I can feel tears tickling my bottom lashes, threatening to fall at any moment.

“You’re my beginning, and you’re my end. You’re my yesterday, my today, and all my tomorrows, Peach.”

He steps away slightly, no longer filling my vision as I unintentionally realise that the dancefloor is full of other couples. Then, out of nowhere, Alex is beside Henry, handing him something before slapping him on the shoulder. He turns to me with his lopsided grin, pulling an answering one from my own mouth. Bending close, he drops a peck on my cheek before giving us a one hand salute and disappearing just as quickly and silently as he’d appeared.

“What was that? How did he—”

My question cuts off abruptly as Henry drops to one knee before me, my heart threatening to leap from my chest.

“Jesus, I didn’t think I’d be as nervous, but shit—”

The man kneeling at my feet raises his shoulders in a self-deprecating shrug as those around us begin to notice what’s going on and move backwards, watching intently. Henry’s grip on my hand, held within his, strengthens, and I draw stability from his action even as my whole being threatens to take flight.

He holds his hand up, a small navy box held within his palm, and I’m trying to keep it together as he pops the lid allowing it to fall to either side, displaying the most beautiful square diamond ring nestled on a pillow of navy satin.

Raising my eyes, I meet his deep green gaze, his intensity and his passion holding me as a willing prisoner.

“Marry me, Peaches. Let me love you now and through forever.”

His face takes on an anxious look, his jaw tensing as he waits for my response.