Page 246 of The Re-Proposal

Vanya hands mom a napkin.

“Oh, thank you.” Mom stuffs it into her purse.

“That’s for you to wipe your eyes, Ms. Maura,” the supermodel points out.

“Honey, this napkin was touched by a celebrity. I’m not going to use it on my face.”

Vanya chuckles.

“Mama.” My bottom lip trembles.

Mom takes my hand. “I love you, Clarissa. You were such a sweet child, so trusting of the world, no matter how tough it was on us. Raising you alone took so much out of me, but I’d do it all over again. I’d fight to keep you. I’d work three jobs. I’d ask for help and bury my pride. It was all worth it to see the beautiful, amazing woman you’ve become.”

I can’t help it.

The tears are on the way.

“Quick. Tilt your head back and blink really fast,” Island says.

“That’s not going to work,” Kenya argues, rubbing her swollen belly. “She should just let it out and do the makeup again.”

“Are you kidding? The wedding is starting in,” Dejonae checks her watch, “two minutes.”

“If she doesn’t show up on time, Cody is going to barge in here with Doberman and Vargas and demand to know where she is,” Nova agrees.

It’s true. Cody’s gotten a lot… clingier since the showdown with Winifred. I’m barely getting used to the security detail and his overbearing protectiveness isn’t making it easier.

“He’d deserve it. Give him a taste of his own medicine,” mom mutters.

I give her a side eye.

“Just kidding.” She laughs.

Ms. Phoebe waddles forward. “You look beautiful, Clarissa. Cry if you want to.”

“Thanks.” I squeeze the hand of the woman who’s been like a second mother to me.

There’s a knock on the door.

Joel, Abe and Regan walk in.

Regan looks adorable in her little flower dress. She’s clutching a basket of rose petals and her eyes are wide. “Auntie Ris, you look so pretty.”

“Thank you, Regan.” I bend down to kiss her cheek.

“Hey,” Abe says.

“Hey.” I smile brightly at him.

Cody’s quiet nephew hasn’t spoken much to me, but I realize that it takes him a while to warm up to people.

Even so, his eyes are soft when he looks at me. “Uncle Cody’s really happy.”

“So am I.” I touch his head, careful not to mess up his fancy hairdo. Island really is an amazing hairstylist. She managed to turn Abe’s usual floppy mop into a debonair style.

Joel walks over to me.

I feel tears stinging my eyes when I stare into his happy, healthy face. His heartbeat is strong now. I’m always grabbing his hand to test his pulse. Every time I feel the thump against my fingertips, it gets me emotional.

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