Page 139 of The Reason I Married Him
The confetti cannons blast into the air.
And the music starts up again, this time playing an instrumental version ofMarry Meby Bruno Mars.
On shaky legs, I stand just as Aubree goes to kneel. Together, we look like an engagement seesaw because when she starts to stand again, I go back down.
Urgh.
“Stay there,” I say to her as I stand.
Everyone continues to cheer as I reach for her hand, but at the same time, she tries to wrap her arms around me for a hug, so I poke her in the stomach instead, causing me to drop the ring.
Christ.
I bend back down to pick it up, and I don’t know what the hell she’s thinking, but as I stand, she kneels again.
Motherfucker.
I snag her hand and pull her to her feet. I grip her finger, slip the ring on, and then hold up her hand for everyone to see. The crowd erupts again, still happy for us, despite the awkward display we just put on for everyone.
Some people shout, “Kiss!” while others clap and cheer.
Knowing we need to seal the deal, I smile down at her and try to put my arms around her, but at the same time, she lends her hand out for what I can only assume is a handshake.
Her fingers brush over my nipple as I bend down to hug her.
Her fingers bend back against my chest.
And there we are, my ass sticking out as I attempt to hug her, her trying to handshake my erect nipple.
This is not how I imagined this.
Whispering, I say, “What are you doing?”
“I don’t know,” she whispers back. “Should I kneel again?”
“For the love of God, no. Just hug me.”
And thankfully, that’s what she does. She wraps her arms around my back, I wrap mine around her shoulders, and we embrace.
For the hell of it, I kiss the top of her head and then raise my fist to the sky in victory, erupting the crowd all over again.
Well, that was . . . eventful.
Just as I start to let go of her, I hear a throat clear next to me, and I glance to the side to find Ryland standing there, holding Mac, waiting to congratulate us.
“You’re getting married,” Mac chants. “Can I see the ring?” Aubree holds the ring up to Mac, and Mac brings Aubree’s finger close to her eye to examine it. “It’s so pretty.”
“Thank you,” Aubree says.
“Congrats, sis,” Ryland says. “Still trying to wrap my head around all of this. I didn’t even know you were in love or even seeing anyone last week, and now you’re engaged. Insane, but I told Wyatt if he hurts you, he’s a dead man.”
That shakes the confusion and shock out of Aubree because she chuckles. No longer wide-eyed and nervous being surrounded by her family. “Get in line. I’m not afraid to wield a shovel if he wrongs me.”
And I fully believe that.
“Why would Uncle Wyatt hurt Aunt Aubree?” Mac asks.
“He wouldn’t,” Ryland says. “We’re just joking.”
