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Not that we were stealthy about it. The acoustics in the bathroom gave us away. Or it could have been the smile on Jay’s face. My mused lipstick. His disheveled hair. Take your pick. Spencer and Mia were laughing at us when we rejoined the party.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he says as he leans in only a breath away from my lips.
My eyes close as I wait for it, the kiss that’s going to steal my resolve. Thoughts of another adventure behind a locked door. When it doesn’t happen, I open my eyes to find Jay down on one knee.
The music has stopped, the room falling silent around us.
“I told you he was a genius. You propose on a day you’ll never forget.” He’s smiling up at me as he pops open the lid of the tiny, black box he’s holding in his hands. “I’ve loved you for eight years, since the moment you fell into my arms. I promise to catch you every time you stumble. To be the man you deserve. To love you unconditionally every day for the rest of your life. You own my heart and my soul. You’re my home. Andrea Renee Morris, will be make me the happiest man in the world and be my wife?”
My mouth opens but no words come out. I’m utterly speechless. When I feel a nudge at my shoulder, I look to see who’s standing behind me but there’s no one even close.
Sam.
She’s here. She’s giving me the okay. Urging me to say yes.
Tears sting my eyes as I nod my head. My gaze never leaves Jay’s as he slips the ring on my hand, quickly standing and pulling me into his arms. When he presses his lips to mine, I can feel every promise he just made me.
Cheers erupt around us, and when Jay finally releases me, Spencer and Mia are the first in line to congratulate us.
“Thanks, man,” I hear Jay say to Spence as Mia wraps her arms around me.
“I’m so happy for you,” she gleefully screeches in my ear.
“Thank you. I’m sorry he stole the show at your wedding.”
Of all the places I expected Jay to propose, it wasn’t here. I’ve felt the slow shift in our relationship the last few weeks. I knew it was coming.
I should have. Every major step we’ve taken since reconnecting last year has happened fast. A month after Ben Royal was arrested, we bought a house in Great Falls and moved in together. Jay quit his government job and joined the police force here while I started a non-profit helping families cope with grief and loss.
As summer came to an end, we found out we were expecting our first child, due in only a few weeks. A little boy.
For Christmas, my parents visited Great Falls for the first time ever, thanks to Jay.
Of all the surprises over the last year, this may have been the biggest of all. We’ve talked about getting married. Eventually. After Sammy, our little boy, is born. When I can walk down the aisle without waddling like a duck.
Today was not the day I expected him to ask.
“You think he put this together all by himself?” Mia asks, pulling away and holding me by the shoulders. Vibrant red tendrils frame her face as a sinister smile begins to spread.
“Y-You kn-knew?” I stutter, looking over her shoulder to where Spencer and Jay are embracing in a man-hug.
“We all knew. I can’t believe you didn’t suspect anything. Hell, if Spencer had relented, there would’ve been a double wedding today.”
My mouth is slightly ajar as Jay and Spencer join us, Spence wrapping his arms around Mia’s waist and pulling his bride against his chest. Jay mimics his actions, his warm embrace calming my racing heart.
Until he leans down and nibbles the lobe of my ear before kissing the sweet spot on the side of my neck. Pregnancy has my hormones running wild, especially the last few weeks. All it takes it the simplest touch, a devious look, and I’m jumping Jay’s bones. It doesn’t matter where we are or who’s around.
Once my engine is revved, I can’t wait.
And he knows how to get it purring.
“I love you,” Jay says, his lips teasing my neck.
“I love you, too.”
My body is humming with anticipation the rest of the reception. The urge to leave, to run, is overwhelming. Last year running would have meant away from my friends. Away from Jay, from the feelings I was trying to fight. Now, it means running toward him. This very moment? It means running with him. To the home we share. Where our bed lays unmade thanks to our pre-wedding activities.
“Ready?” Jay finally asks as Mia and Spencer make their exit.
