Page 260 of Barinov

“I regret nothing!” Haley yells back.

Caleb slips an arm around Ellie’s waist as they start walking back up the hill toward the house. Both of them are smiling so hard it almost hurts to look.

Ellie barely gets a foot onto the deck before Haley launches herself at her.

“You bitch!” Ellie shrieks through the laughter. “You fucking knew!”

Haley doesn’t even try to deny it. “Who do you think helped him pick out the ring?”

Tears are running down Bella’s face by the time Haley lets go of my sister. Ellie turns just in time for Bella to wrap her up in another embrace.

“I’m so happy for you, El.”

“I’m getting married!” Ellie’s laugh breaks into a sob as she squeezes Bella back.

Bella nods, wiping tears from both of their cheeks. “And you’re going to be the most beautiful bride.”

“And you’re going to be the most beautiful maid of honor,” Ellie says to Bella.

“What?” Bella breathes. “Are you—”

“Who else would I possibly ask?” Ellie beams, pulling Bella and Haley back in. “And you, Hales, are going to be the sexiest bridesmaid the East Coast has ever fucking seen.”

“Damn straight,” Haley laughs.

Behind her, Brett strolls over to Caleb with that cocky grin of his spread wide. “So…” he says, folding his arms. “You finally grew a pair?”

Caleb just rolls his eyes and shoves him. Brett lets out a bark of laughter before stepping forward and pulling his brother into a tight hug.

The laughter and commotion settle into something softer as Ellie walks over to me. She doesn’t say anything at first. She just simply holds out her hand, letting the diamond sparkle in the evening sunset.

“You ready to help me plan a wedding, big bro?”

My throat tightens. I can’t seem to find the words, so I pull her into the biggest hug I can manage.

“I’m so damn happy for you, El.”

She melts against me, wrapping her arms around my neck and burying her face into the crook of my neck. “Now it’s your turn,” she whispers.

The back door opens back up. Ty, Zeke, and Marisol all step outside with plates full of food and confused looks.

“Food’s read—” Ty starts.

“SHE SAID YES!” Haley screams before he can finish.

Ty blinks.

He looks at his brother.

Looks at my sister.

Looks at the ring.

Then the biggest grin I think I’ve ever seen on the guy spreads across his face. “Did y’all think she’d say no?”

♥♥♥

Later that night.