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Milo leaned in, his hand on his wife’s shoulder. “Damn, do you know how long he’s been carrying that around?”
“Jamie!” Madeline shouted again. She stood to give me a hug but hugging her these days had become a little difficult, with her pregnant belly pushing into me, and I swear I felt a kick. She was due any day now with their first baby—a little boy. Milo was ecstatic and Holly couldn’t wait to be a big sister. She had read more pregnancy books than Madeline. “Congratulations! When did he ask?”
“Just now, but I think he’s been holding it in for a long time.” I smiled, still in shock I was engaged.
“Please tell me I get to make your dress.” Ophelia wrapped her arm around me as I took my seat next to her.
Ophelia was even more radiant than ever. She and Clay had really grown. She had another store front, with seasonal items filling the shelves, and Clay was now working out of his own office, complete with his own employees. Of course, he still handled Elliot’s finances, and my dad’s new architecture firm. Without Clay, Elliot would be lost when it came to the tour’s finances. Clay was even looking to sign a contract with Elliot’s label.
“If you don’t, I will be quite upset. Custom, but . . .”
“I know, I’ll make sure to cover the scar.” Ophelia smiled, leaning into her husband.
I raised my hand to touch my skin above my scar. Since telling my friends about my surgery, I had tried to get more comfortable in my own skin. The fear that they would have the same fear my family once had completely vanished. Just like Elliot had said, it was simply a part of me.
“I think you should show the scar.” Madeline leaned over. “Elliot loves it doesn’t he.”
“Well yeah, but I don’t need to advertise it.”
“I’m sure Elliot will see it that night anyway,” Milo added, taking my hand to look at the ring again.
“I’m sure he’ll see it tonight,” Clay mumbled.
“That’s enough.” I pulled my hand away, and turned to look back at Jacob and Sydney, who both gave me a giant smile. Sydney mouthed“congratulations”my way and then, before I could even turn back to my friends, the lights dimmed, and the crowd began to cheer.
Chase was out first, and, as always, he waved and sat down at his drums. Jameson was next—completely emotionless as he plugged in his bass. Then Bennett, jumping to rile up the crowd a tiny bit and of course, the best for last, Elliot walked out, his white guitar in his hand and his acoustic on his back. The cheer got louder and people began to move closer to the stage.
Normally Elliot began right away with a song, but tonight he changed things up. He sat his electric guitar on the stand and with a bright smile, walked up to his mic.
“How’s everyone doing tonight!”
Milo stood and cupped his hands over his lips, letting out the loudest cheer. Elliot looked our way and waved his hand.
“Pay no attention to the yahoo in the corner,” he said and the crowd laughed, all looking towards Milo. Milo sat down and draped his arm around Madeline’s shoulders. “We normally start right with a song, something to hype y'all up, but tonight—and she’s going to hate me—I want everyone to look back at the yahoo . . .” The entire crowd turned their heads towards our table. “And to the beautiful blonde there. The love of my life, my bride to be, Jamie Gaines . . . this show is for you. I love you.”
I wanted to both punch him and jump up and make love to him right there on the stage, but instead I decided to blow him a kiss and give him a small wave, mouthing“I love you”as I pretended every eye wasn’t on me.
“She normally tells me the song to start with, and tonight she chose the one that always reminds me of her. So . . .”
He grabbed his guitar on his back, flipping to his stomach, strumming his fingers on the chords.
Thomas Rhett’sUnforgettablebegan to play and Elliot locked his eyes with me, the warmth and love in his eyes was something I felt across the entire room. I still couldn’t believe he was mine. I still couldn’t believe I was his. And I still couldn’t believe all it took was three weeks to fall in love with him.
And when the lyrics about a Mango-rita fell from his lips, I swear I fell even harder.
The End
