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I rush to them and throw my arms around their shoulders. “What are y’all doing here?”
“You don’t think we’d miss your engagement celebration, do you?” Michelle smiles warmly.
“What are you talking about?” I turn and look around the room. My jaw drops.
There’s a ‘congratulations’ banner hanging on the fireplace and several pictures of Bryce and me on the mantle. I look past everyone’s smiling faces, and when my eyes land on Bryce, his lips twitch then curl in a smug grin.
“You knew about this?” I question him.
“I may have.”
“You didn’t think to tell me?”
“Why would I do that? It was a surprise.”
I catch Quinn’s smirk and narrow my eyes at her. “You should have warned me!” I wave my hand down my body in disgust. “I’m in cut-off shorts and a tank top!” She shrugs, completely uncaring.
“You look absolutely fine. And besides, this is casual and all family.” My mom comes to me and tucks my hair behind my ear. “We didn’t really get to celebrate your actual engagement last week. The guys’ graduation was the focus. So Sheila and I decided we wanted to celebrate the right way. Tonight is all about you and Bryce.”
I look at Sheila, Bryce’s mom, and my throat clogs with emotion when our eyes lock. She’s beaming.
There are so many arguments running through my head, because in my mind, we did celebrate last week. But the only thing I can say is a quiet, “Thank you.”
Mom nods, clearly hearing the emotions in my voice. Bryce comes to my side and puts an arm around my waist, kissing my temple. His blue eyes sparkle with happiness.
?
?Forgive me?” he asks playfully.
“Yes, but only because this is the type of surprise that includes champagne.”
“Noted.”
“Bryce, you’ve had her to yourself for an entire week. Think you can share for a few hours?” Quinn says sarcastically.
He scowls at her until they both burst into laughter. A second later, everyone joins in, and champagne is served. The dread I felt in the car is forgotten.
*****
“Do we have any idea of the travel schedule yet?” I ask Quinn as we clean the kitchen. It’s the first time since I got home that we’ve been alone.
“Professor Grant will be leading the program. He won’t tell us who, but he’s supposedly spoken to a few well-known journalists with Fox, NBC, and ABC who will be joining us. The group is scheduled to leave around the first of June. Once we officially accept, he’ll send us more information, including vaccination forms.”
I nod and look around the corner to make sure no one’s coming then turn back. “How did you get your parents off your back? I was only able to because I was two states away.”
“Told them we’d discuss it when you got back. They know we do this together. Even though Bryce said tonight was safe, I suspect our mothers are currently figuring out a way to bring it up.”
“Bring what up?” Bryce walks in with Nate following.
“Nothing, lover boy. We’re just catching up.”
He hands me my phone and slides an arm around my shoulders. “Babe, your email is going crazy. May want to check it.”
“I’ll take care of it after you leave. Don’t want to be rude.”
He gives me a sideways glance and raises his eyebrows in question. “Where am I going?”
“Don’t you have to go home?”
