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“Did she say yes?” Kella demands from the back bedroom.
My fiancé—it seems crazy to think that—reluctantly ends our kiss and lifts his head. “Yes. You can all come out now.”
What is going on?
I turn to see our friends file into the kitchen wearing huge smiles, then I whirl back on Hayes. “They were in on this?”
“Everyone was. From the minute I dropped you off at your apartment last night, looking so confused and forlorn until now, yes. I wanted today to be perfect for you. For us.”
“I never expected anything like this.” And the fact that he not only proposed, but put so much thought into making this moment one we’ll both remember has me tearing up with joy. “Thank you.”
“You never have to thank me, shortcake. Just love me.”
“Always.” I cup his face, amazed and thrilled that I’ll be spending my life with my very best friend.
“There’s more,” he whispers, pointing to something behind me.
I turn again to see Ella and Eryn bustle into the living room beside their husbands with huge grins on their faces.
With a shriek, I jump up and down, then turn to Hayes again. “You did this?”
“I called them on Wednesday to tell them I intended to propose. They wanted to be here, and I wanted them here for you.”
Hayes could have proposed in Maui, and some people might have thought that would be far more romantic, but he understands how much my sisters mean to me, and his thoughtfulness fills my heart.
I rush to hug my sisters, who squee and hug me back with equal fervor. “You’re here!”
“We are.” Eryn grips my hands. “I just knew there was more than friendship between you two. Congratulations!”
“Thanks.” I try not to cry fat tears of joy, but it’s hopeless.
Best. Day. Ever.
Especially when Ella grabs me in a hug. “You’re going to be a bride. I’m so thrilled for you.”
She’s right. Yikes! “I have a lot of planning to do.” Not my forte. “Will you help me?”
Ella is so much more organized.
She smiles. “I’ll do my best.”
Of course it won’t be easy. “North Carolina is a long way away, and you’re busy with work—”
“That’s not all.” She slides a hand over her still-flat stomach. “You’re going to be an aunt before Christmas.”
“Seriously?” I hug her close again. “Oh, my god! I’m so excited for you. Both of you.” I step into her husband Carson’s arms for a brotherly hug. “Congratulations! You’ll be the best parents ever.”
Certainly way better than we had as kids. I don’t even ask if my parents know about this event. It doesn’t matter because they proved long ago that they don’t care about anything except work and each other. I’ve come to peace with that. I have my sisters, Hayes, and soon a niece or nephew. I have everything I need.
Eryn and her husband, West, exchange a glance before he clears his throat and flashes my middle sister a secretive grin. “We’re expecting a baby, too. Around New Year’s. We just found out Friday.”
Screw trying to stop the tears. They flow down my face. My sisters’ faces, too, as we dogpile into a hug full of joy, sniffles, laughs, and well wishes.
Hayes sidles behind me again, cupping my shoulders softly. “Someone else wants to congratulate you.”
I look up to find Gramma Liddy balanced between Graham and Xavian. She looks a little older and a little frailer than the last time I saw her, but having her here to celebrate with us is so unexpected and special.
I sprint to hug the tiny older woman who’s smiling from ear to ear. “You came, too? Thank you so much!”
“Hayes insisted. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world since I’ve been telling him for the last half dozen years to marry you. I’m thrilled you said yes.” She studies me with misty blue eyes. “Like you, he didn’t have the best family growing up, but you’ll make a new family together. And I know you’ll make each other so happy.”
“We will,” I promise. Then I turn to Xavian. “I didn’t expect you to fly back from Maui.”
“I had to see two of my favorite people get engaged.” He mock punches Hayes in the chest. “Besides, he wasn’t going to stop threatening to beat the living shit out of me until I promised to stop meddling between him and his woman. And I forgot what you looked like in all the bikinis and lingerie I helped you pick out.”
Collectively, everyone laughs, including Hayes. I’m turning ten shades of red, but I hug Xavian tight. “None of this would have happened without you. Thanks for going out on a limb to help me. I’m forever grateful.”
“It would have happened. Maybe not as fast…” He shrugs like it’s no big deal, but I know better. “Someday you can return the favor.”
