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Eva congratulated Pammy, then the happy couple made their way into the crowd to accept backslaps and high fives from friends and strangers alike.
Chris stood watching them, giving in to a shuddering sigh and a little sniff.
Eva gave her a strange look. “Since when have you been such a romantic?”
“Me?” She shrugged. Since I met Zac. “I don’t know. I’m just emotional these days.”
“Uh-huh.” Eva nodded sagely, tapping her finger on her chin. “Do we know why?”
“Yeah, we do.” She gave her twin a sad smile.
“And what does that tell you about—”
“Hey, ladies.” Ames joined them, looking handsome in a crisp blue shirt and khakis. He slipped his arm around Eva, who lit up like a Christmas tree. “Wasn’t that great? You got one.”
“It was fabulous. I hope they make it.” Eva put her arm around Ames and gave him a squeeze. Her face changed. “Ow. What is that? You have something sharp in your pocket.”
“Oh, yeah?” He winked at Chris, who smiled politely, having no idea what was cute and mysterious about jabbing your girlfriend. “What do you think that’s about?”
“I don’t know. It’s your pocket.” Eva moved away and swatted at a square bulge in his pants.
“Let me see.” He rummaged around, then with a flourish, pulled out a black velvet box. “Oh, hey, yeah, I wondered where that went.”
Eva gasped. “Ames!”
“Man on the carpet!” Chris could barely get the words out. Her sister was about to get engaged! She was bursting with happiness.
Ames knelt. Eva immediately sank down with him and they joined hands, gazing rapturously at each other. A soft ooh spread over the crowd before it quieted into electric anticipation.
“Eva, you have brought so much joy and laughter to my life.”
“You know we already get free coffee?” Eva’s eyes were sparking equal parts mischief and joy.
“Wait, really? Jeez, what am I doing here?” The crowd laughed. Ames waited, gazing at Eva, who was gazing back at him, their expressions so full of love that Chris started bawling again. They were going to be happy forever. She wasn’t going to be able to take much more of this. At least she’d been smart enough to wear waterproof mascara.
Gradually the crowd settled again.
“Eva Meyer, love of my life, will you marry me?”
“Yes, yes and yes, Ames Cooke. I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.”
More cheers, more excitement, more clicking cameras aimed at the kissing couple.
“Hey, Chris, are you okay?” A slender arm enveloped Chris in a fierce hug.
“Aw, Summer, thanks.” Chris wiped her tears, glad to see Luke standing next to Summer. The two of them looked happy and right together. “This is really perfect. And a bit brutal.”
“I know, it really must be. But you’ve done so much for Slow Pour today and for Carmia, too. We’re going to miss you. I’m going to miss you.”
“No, stop!” Chris was half laughing, half crying. “Please, have mercy on the tear ducts.”
“It’s going great.” Luke nodded, smiling crookedly. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get Zac to come by. He said he had stuff to do.”
“Oh.” She nodded. “I understand.”
All too well. He didn’t want to see her. And with her emotions set on ultraturmoil right now, she didn’t think she could handle seeing him, either. She wasn’t even sure she could make it through the rest of this event.
She did. By the time darkness fell, two more proposals had been made and accepted, and finally the last of the stragglers had gone home. Chris had sent Ames and Eva off to celebrate. Ames’s plans included a fancy dinner in San Luis Obispo and spending the night at an incredible resort hotel on a cliff overlooking the ocean.
Chris, Summer and Luke had cleaned up and put away everything but the tent and the red carpet. The rental company would come pick up the tent on Monday. The red carpet Chris had decided to leave as a temporary tribute to the four couples who had committed to each other here today. When word got around she expected people who had missed the event would come by to gawk.
