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“Not possible.”
He holds me a little tighter, and Quinn yells she’s going to ‘sedate me with wine and tequila’.
“Listen, I have about one minute here, but I need your advice.” Dean steps back and looks behind him. “I’m coming back in two weeks when Paul and Michelle are here for her exhibit. She knows I’m bringing my family, but there’s more to it. I want to ask her to marry me.”
I start to scream but slam my fist to my mouth. I bobble my head.
“You think she’ll freak?”
I bobble again.
“Will you help me with some of the details?”
I finally find my voice and squeak, “Of course.”
“It’ll be a big weekend. You’ll be on-spot.”
“Of course,” I repeat.
“Thank you.” He looks relieved.
“They’re driving up,” Quinn shouts.
I swing my head between the living room and him, and he does a head jerk for me to go. I jump into his arms and kiss his cheek then sprint to the door.
Nate, Jamie, and Bryce all get out of the truck and rush toward the apartment in the snow. I run directly to Bryce. He picks me up and covers my mouth with his own. He carries us into the apartment and breaks apart to set me down.
I move to hug my brother and Jamie. When I step back, her eyes are shining. I grin and introduce her to Quinn and Dean.
We go to the kitchen, and Bryce holds me close. Nate opens the wine and serves Jamie first then pours for Quinn and me.
Out of nowhere, Quinn slaps Bryce’s shoulder with both hands and shouts, “Never again, you hear me! I’ll kill you!”
“Never again,” he agrees, rubbing his arm, and yanks her into a hug. He mutters ‘thank you’, and she sniffs.
Jamie looks at me with warmth and understanding then sidles up to Nate who throws his arm around her protectively.
“Okay, enough, let’s eat, and I have a surprise!” I step away from Bryce and rush to my room to grab the box even Quinn doesn’t know about.
When I get to the living room, everyone has a plate of food and has found a seat. Bryce puts his food to the side and sets me on his lap.
“These are the articles and pictures that didn’t make it to the exhibit, but they’re pretty amazing. Shana gave me permission to share.”
I pass around pictures and papers from the blue team about our summer experiences. Quinn already knows most of the stories but helps me explain them to everyone. I immediately fall further in love with Jamie when she starts to organize each story by category. She scoots to the floor, and Nate moves behind her, massaging her shoulders.
“If these are the rejects, tomorrow night will be more than I ever imagined.”
“You have no idea,” Bryce pipes in. “These girls will be famous.”
I blush and see Quinn’s cheeks flush.
We sit around for another few hours, looking at papers and pictures. Finally, after three bottles of wine, Nate insists on taking Jamie to the hotel, and Dean forces Quinn to bed. Bryce helps me clean the kitchen and then picks me up and carries me to my room.
He’s quiet as we get ready for bed, and when I reach for my pajamas, he stops me and hands me a new long sleeved t-shirt that says ‘Property of US Navy’. I slip up and curl into him, waiting for him to talk.
“I missed you.”
“I missed you, too.”
