Page 53 of Of Pranks and Passion

My shoulders slumped, and I was going to excuse myself to go cry in the bathroom for a minute so I didn’t have to witness him choosing her over me when I heard glass shattering. I swung around, taking in Easton’s broken glass, and moved without thinking. I was checking his hand for cuts before I realized what I was doing.

“Are you okay?”

He smiled that smile that always made my stomach flip, soft and affectionate, like what I was doing made him happy. And when Brienna tried to knock me out of the way, and he pulled me against him, I thought I might swoon.

“Don’t slip, sweetheart.”

That was a little unfair. What do you even say to something that sweet?

Easton’s gaze flicked up, and I saw something flash across his expression before he released me and offered Brienna one of her own sexy smiles.

“I’m sorry. Sometimes I don’t know my own strength. I spend most mornings in the gym.”

That was definitely flirting and right in front of my face. I wanted to storm off, but we were supposed to be a pretend couple. If Brienna watched a very public break up, she’d know I wasn’t protected and would keep coming after me when I pissed her off. I couldn’t do anything but smile and pretend I didn't notice.

With a giggle, Brienna stepped over the server on the floor picking up glass pieces, nearly stepping on the poor girl’s handin her haste to get to Easton. She put her hand on his arm, squeezing gently, and shot him a flirtatious smile.

“It certainly looks like you do.”

Ugh. This was why I didn’t flirt. I didn’t ever want to sound like her.

Ignoring them both, I kneeled next to the server to help. The lighting in the restaurant was dim, probably to hide the tackiness, and it was hard to see if she got all the pieces. I used my phone to shine a light and once we were certain it was all gone, I stood over the spill so she could throw out the glass and get a mop.

“Time for presents!” My mom called, drawing the group back to the main table. Easton let himself get pulled along by Brienna, and my stomach twisted, this time in a not nice way. I seriously wanted to throw up. I might have if it wouldn’t make more of a mess for the server to clean up.

While the rest of the group oohed and ahhed over Brienna’s gifts, I went to join my friends. I snatched the closest glass of wine on the table and chugged it, ignoring the fact that it was disgusting and probably cheap. It was alcohol. I needed it to get through this evening.

Angel rubbed my arm, frowning over my shoulder at the group. “Whatever his plan is, it sucks,” he griped.

“Trust him,” Coach said low. When I looked up at him, though, he looked just as confused as I felt. I wanted to trust Easton, but I just couldn’t stomach watching him flirt with my sister.

“Oh, my god! It’s beautiful! Thank you!” I turned just in time to watch Brienna throw herself into Easton’s arms. She bounced and rubbed up against him, clutching the black velvet box in her hand. When Easton took a step back, she thrust it at him, batting her eyelashes. “Will you put it on me?”

My chest ached as I watched the guy I’d been secretly falling in love with fasten a very expensive-looking bracelet to Brienna’s wrist. The woman who spent her whole life torturing me and spread a rumor to get someone to attack me. Adorned in delicate gold and diamonds.

“I hate him,” I croaked. I didn’t mean to say it out loud, and luckily it wasn’t loud enough for anyone but our friends to overhear, but it was true. He got me to fall for him and then immediately fell under my sister’s spell.

Turning away from the image of them together, I fought back tears, stealing another almost untouched glass of wine. I didn’t even taste it that time. I just wished it had more alcohol in it so I could actually feel something more than a buzz.

“There’s something I’d like to say.” Easton’s voice was smooth and dominated the conversation in the room. He sounded like he belonged in a boardroom. Who knew? Maybe he’d end up in one in order to pay for my sister’s lavish lifestyle.

Strong fingers wrapped around my elbow, turning me back to face the room. Surprised, I looked up at Easton, who winked at me before speaking to the captive audience behind him.

“I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and I thought a party where Gary was surrounded by his loving family would be the best place to do it.”

What is going on?

Easton dropped to one knee and took my hands in his. I nearly swallowed my tongue.

What’s going on??!

“What are you doing?” I hissed under my breath.

“Just go with it.” A familiar mischievous grin flashed across his face before he sobered and raised his eyebrows. “Sweetheart, I know we haven’t been together that long, but I knew from day one that I was going to end up marrying you. I don’t want to wait to tell the world how much you mean to me. So…” He let go ofmy hands long enough to pull out a small black velvet box. There was no way there was a bracelet in there. “Gary, sweetheart. Will you marry me?”

My jaw hit the ground, and I was pretty sure I wasn’t the only one. Angel sounded like he was choking, and someone dropped their silverware behind me. I heard Brienna’s gasp, but I couldn’t look away from Easton.

It was all so overwhelming. All I could do was nod. If this was the one proposal I was ever going to get, I was going to freaking enjoy it. I sank to my knees, running my fingers through his slick backed hair, and gave him a wobbly smile.

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