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I lead them to the table that Law and Sophie are already at. My eyes widen when I see Charlotte there as well. She tries to stand, but I gesture for her to stay seated as I go over and hug her.
"How did you sneak past me?" I ask.
"You were dealing with that snobby guy. I didn't wanna interrupt you."
"Is there a problem?" Law questions.
"Lexa handled it," Jeremiah tells him.
"Oh my God, Lexa. It's freaking stunning in here," Charlotte says. "All I need now is for my husband to rush some food out. I could eat a horse right now."
"Some hors d'oeuvres should be—" I begin, but just then I see one of the waiters approaching the table. "Here we go."
The waiter begins serving the hors d'oeuvres, a large spoon holding creamed corn with a grilled scallop atop it. A small glass with a shrimp, cocktail sauce and a sliced lemon inside. Bruschetta, a tall charcuterie cup with meats, cheeses and skinny breadsticks inside.
"I really do love him," Charlotte sighs before putting the rest of the shrimp in her mouth.
"Chef wanted me to give this to you," the waiter tells her, holding out a folded paper.
Her brows raise as she takes the paper. I smile while watching her unfold it, knowing what the paper says since Jackson asked if it was okay for him to do this at an event I was planning. But I quickly agreed that it was perfect. She would already be dressed nice for pictures and would never see it coming.
"Oh my God," she breathes. "Oh my God," she says louder. "Oh my God!" she finally exclaims as she rises from her seat. Her eyes dart around before they come to me, and she asks. "The kitchen?"
"Right through those doors," I point towards a set of double doors towards the back of the room, between the stage and bar.
Charlotte takes off running or...waddling, rather, quickly towards the kitchen. I can hear her shoutedyesfrom here, though.
"Was that what I think it was?" Sophie asks.
I nod. "A proposal, and I don't wanna assume anything, but uh, I think she said yes."
She laughs. "I think so, too."
Jeremiah snickers. "I bet Jackson was sweating like a hog back there, and it had nothing to do with being in the kitchen."
"We all knew she would say yes," Sophie says.
"I have learned, and definitely told Jackson, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah, never to take a woman for granted."
My eyes cut to Jeremiah and Ezekiel at his words, and their eyes do the same to me. Jeremiah's gaze full of sadness, but Ezekiel's full of pain. Too many emotions rush through me, sadness, anger, hope, a reckless and desperate hope. I take a necessary step back before clearing my throat.
"I better get back to it," I state. "I'll come check on you guys in a little bit."
I'm sure I walk away from their table much too fast, but I feel a need to put as much space between me and the two men holding my heart in their grip. The band is playing and yet all I can hear is my heart beating in my ears as I walk towards the silent auction items as if I'm needed over there.
Throughout the event, their eyes are on me. Not only do I feel them, but every time I give in and look their way, I find their gazes on me too. I keep myself checking on things I don't need to, which has Heather giving me more than a few curious glances. When the band goes on break, I show them where they can eat in a section of the kitchen where I asked Jackson to set up for them. Jackson smiles from ear to ear as I check on how long it'll be until dessert is served now that the empty plates from dinner are being brought back into the kitchen.
"I do believe I heard Charlotte say yes," I tease. "Unless there was another woman screaming in here."
"She said yes." His smile somehow grows bigger. "And is now wearing her, as she put it, gorgeous engagement ring."
"Well, you guys just let me know when you need a wedding planner. I might know a girl."
"I will marry that girl tomorrow, if she lets me."
I chuckle. "I can work with that time frame."
"Anybody bidding on my night of private cooking?" he asks.
