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As the performances end, I see Brooke in the wing with a black headset on, holding a clipboard. Her royal-blue dress hits mid-thigh with black high heels completing her outfit. She is the whole package. Beautiful, smart, goal-oriented, caring, and perfect for me.
Logan beckons Harper onto the stage, and with Hagan's support, she climbs the steps until she reaches Logan's side, where she grasps his hand. Inhaling deeply, she expresses gratitude to everyone involved in raising funds to help pay for accommodations, meals, and time off work, allowing families to spend precious moments with their children battling cancer.
After the winner is announced, the music plays, and the Tri-delts and the Beta Theta Pis accept their trophy, but then I see Brooke look at Logan, and she points her pen to someone. The curtains open to reveal a bookstore. I stretch my neck to Hagan and shrug. He whispers, “Notting Hillis my sister’s favorite movie.”
“I know, but what is he doing?”
And that’s when I know something big is happening. Logan has a little twitch in his jaw. It’s unusual to see Logan Warren nervous, but his voice cracks when he begins.
“Harper, we’re here today to celebrate Evy’s life and the difference she made in our life.”
He blows out a breath, and his shoulders fall into their normal place. “You stole my breath the first time I saw you. You stole my mind the day of the Stallion Awards, because there wasn’t a minute I didn’t think about you. You stole my heart at the Garlic Hotel.”
He takes a breath and drops to one knee. Roscoe runs out with a little blue box in his mouth, and Logan asks the woman he loves to marry him. InNotting Hill, the female character declares her love in a bookstore, and the male character shields himself from love in case she will eventually break up with him. Harper always wanted to rewrite the scene. She cries and yells at the television every time she watches it. Logan is recreating the scene, giving her the happy ending she wanted.
Admittedly, I have water in my eyes. Seeing Harper handle the attention with confidence that she couldn’t have done six months ago fills me with pride. They are two people who make each other better, which is how I feel about Brooke and me.
Of course, Harper says, “Yes.”
In the wings, Brooke applauds with pure joy. My gaze fixates on her, captivated by her unwavering happiness. Her gift lies in bringing comfort and sheer delight to those around her.
When it’s over, Dane, Lettie, Caleb, and I go on stage and congratulate the happy couple. Brooke joins us. I have Caleb on my shoulders.
“You’ve grown so much since this morning,” she says, smiling and touching his toes, then rewards me with the happiest smile that warms my heart.
“You silly, Mommy.”
I push him over my head and swing him around like he’s an airplane until he lands in her arms.
“Give me a smooch.”
I lean down, and she giggles. “I meant Caleb, but I’ll take one from you too.”
Caleb and I kiss each side of her cheeks, and I say in her ear, “You’re getting more than a kiss very shortly.”
The flush on her face fills every dark counter of my heart.
“Lettie, do you and Dane mind taking Caleb home? Reed and I will be home in an hour after we help clean up.”
“Sure,” Lettie says with a wink. I’m just not sure if she’s winking at us, knowing my plans, or if she wants to spend more time with Dane.
I hand them some money. “Hey, I promised the little dude ice cream if he was quiet during the show. He loves the Superman flavor.”
When they’re out of sight, and we seem to be the only ones left, I take her in my arms. “Did you know about the proposal?”
Brooke raises her brows in a teasing manner. “I knew he was going to do something because none of the ending was on Harper’s list of events. Logan came to me afterward, giving me directions on cueing theNotting Hillprop and then sending in Roscoe.”
“It was a grand gesture.”
“It was, just like in my books.”
“I’d like to give you a grand gesture.” I walk her backwards, off stage until her back is against a concrete wall. She’s breathing hard in anticipation. I ghost kiss her neck, not ever touching my lips to her skin. But I feel the little hairs stand up as I whisper how perfect she is. “You better show me a room if you don’t want to get caught.”
She guides me to a dressing room the guys used to change into their costumes. My fingers follow her jaw line down her neck, before turning her back to me. I pull the zipper slowly, admiring her spine. So delicate.
I move her sleek ponytail out of the way, loving the way her body shivers when I touch her. Our chemistry is more than physical. It’s the way we tease each other and make the other one wait. My hands are all over her back until I finally rake her dress from her shoulders. Then my hands caress her arms before I turn her around, revealing the matching lingerie set.
“You wore it.”
