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“Ready!” a dozen women replied.
I caught Aria’s attention, taking two fingers and pointing them at my eyes before turning one finger back at her. Then I made a fist, wrinkling my nose, like I was cheering her on to victory. She laughed and rubbed her hands together, then turned back to Shelby with her game face on.
Unfortunately, Layla was smack dab in the front of the group, perfectly centered with Aria and Lyndi flanking her. Layla was half a foot taller than my girl, so I worried that even if the bouquet did head in her direction, Layla would be able to snatch it out of the air before it landed in Aria’s waiting hands.
I held my breath as Shelby counted down, then waited for the bouquet to sail toward the group of women. Turned out, Shelby had neither aim nor much force in her throwing arm because the thing looked like it would be lucky to land midway between the bride and her group of single friends.
Aria’s small stature worked in her favor then, because while the other women were trying to reach forward, she dipped low and lunged for it, sliding onto her knees, long gown and all. She caught the bouquet against her chest like a football star catching a low pass, then held it up, grinning triumphantly from ear to ear.
Her friends helped her up, laughing so hard they could barely stand straight as she eased herself off the ground without ripping her dress. When she was upright, they all hugged her and cheered her on, and I watched with a wide grin.
“Did we put money on that situation?” Paul asked.
“No,” Nate replied, looking genuinely disappointed that Chelsea had been nowhere near catching it.
Paul tsked. “That was a missed opportunity. My sister’s scrappy.”
“Clearly,” Nate grumbled.
Beau patted my shoulder. “It’s too bad we didn’t bet on it. Will’s going to need that money to buy a rock now.”
Paul pointed at me. “Ha. Better do it up. Aria’s not just scrappy, she’s picky and likes all that fancy stuff.”
Unable to take my eyes off the woman I knew was my future wife, I nodded. “Don’t worry. I have just the ring in mind.”
