Page 182 of 10 Rings I Hate About You
“Because she’s not giving me any indication she might be thinking the same thing,” he said, quieter now. “And honestly? It’s not a great time anyway.”
Something in his tone had me take notice. “What’s going on?”
He hesitated and shrugged. “Nora’s ex is causing problems. Dragging out paperwork, trying to push for things he’s not getting. It’s … messy.”
My grip tightened on the tongs. Josh’s cousin, Nora, had moved to Ruby River a year ago for a fresh start. “She okay?”
“She will be,” he said. “Just … it’s just more stress than she needs.”
“If either of you need anything?—”
“I know,” he said, bumping my shoulder. “I’ve got it.”
I let it drop.
By the time the food was ready, the yard had settled into something that felt familiar. It reminded me of all the family cookouts we had growing up—loud in the best way. Conversations overlapped. Music drifted through the air. Chaos had been temporarily redirected from the main table, though I didn’t trust that to last.
Delaney returned to me on the deck, stealing food off of my plate despite having her own. “You have more variety,” she said when I gave her a look.
“That’s because I planned it that way.”
She grinned. “Exactly why you should share with me.”
I huffed out a quiet laugh, letting her take whatever she wanted. When she leaned her head against my shoulder, I let out a contented sigh. I could get used to this. Even more than I already had.
Later, as the sun dipped lower in the sky into a stunning display of pinks and blues, and the lights we’d hung began toglow, she grabbed my hand and tugged me toward the oak tree. “Dance with me.”
“I don’t dance,” I grumbled.
“You do now.” She tugged harder, wiggling her body to the beat.
I let her pull me in anyway and settled my hands on her waist while she slid hers up my chest. Our world narrowed to just us swaying under the lights. The key dug into my backside. This was it. The moment wasn’t perfect, and yet it was. I just—Delaney let out a soft gasp and gave a tiny chin nod.
I followed her gaze as movement caught my eye. Wyatt. Adele. They stood close together. Wyatt said something quiet and held out his hand. Adele hesitated as though she was considering it.
Just as I was wondering what might happen next, Ellie cleared her throat nervously.
Everything stopped.
Delaney’s fingers tightened on mine. “Oh, my God. What’s happening?”
I shook my head. “No idea.”
Ellie made a sound between a laugh and a sob as she handed gift boxes to Mom, Dad, Glamma, and finally Drew.
“Why are there gifts? This is a cookout?” Martha muttered.
“Shut it,” Glamma snapped. “This is my special moment, too.” It would seem she had more of an idea of what was happening than my parents and brother, all of whom’s brows were drawn together in confusion.
“Is this about the wedding?” Mom asked.
Drew had asked Ellie to marry him at her book signing at Plot Twist in February. They were planning on a Christmas wedding at the end of this year.
“Not exactly,” Ellie responded, rubbing her hands up and down the sides of her thighs, the fabric of her floral print dressbunching with each pass, then releasing. “I’d like you all to open them at the same time, please.”
Mom opened hers the fastest and gasped. Her eyes filled with tears as her gaze sought Ellie’s. Dad and Glamma were next. Dad grabbed ahold of Mom’s hand, and they smiled at each other before turning back to Ellie.
“I knew it,” Glamma whispered as she smiled.
