Page 120 of I Heart Mason Cartwright
Willow
The party isin full swing and everyone seems to be having a great time. Mason has tasked me with enjoying myself while he handles all the food prep, serving, and party maintenance. So, I’ve done exactly that. One of the girls brought JELL-O shots and Zach and I are on our third each.
So. Freaking. Good.
Mason jumps up on the outdoor bar and whistles for attention.
“First, I’d just like to thank everyone for coming.” A few people whistle and clap, and he lets them before continuing. “Willow put her heart and soul into this house and it shows.” More clapping and whistles, a few people yell out their compliments. I blush then smile at Mason. “And,” he says. “As most of you know, I’ve glommed onto that woman and her house and am not letting go.”
“Smart man!” someone yells.
“Which is why I’d like to ask my beautiful girl to join me up here.”
I roll my eyes, but head over to him anyway. He takes my hand and one of his friends helps me up on the bar, using my bottom as leverage.
“This is the only situation where touching my woman’s ass will be tolerated, got it?” Mason says to him. We all laugh.
Mason takes my hands in his and turns to me, the expression on his face is serious.
My heart starts beating faster.
“Willow,” he says looking me in the eye. “Never did I think I would find someone like you.”
Ohmigod.
“I thank the universe every day for the completely fucked-up way you were brought into my life.”
I laugh.
“And for giving me the courage to get you back and keep you in it.”
My eyes begin to water. I can’t believe he’s going to make me cry again today.
“One thing that is increasingly clear to me,” he continues, “but never more so than now, is that you’re it, babe. For me. No one else. You’re my one and only. I don’t want anyone else.”
Aw, crap. I’m totally crying now.
He kneels before me.
Ohmigod. Ohmigod. Ohmigod.
“And so, love of my life, light of my day, star of my dreams, will you do me the honor, please . . .”
Bawling really. That’s a more accurate description. Those body-shaking sobs that render a girl tear-ugly and leave her hiccupping.
“Of becoming my wife?”
He pulls out a ring and takes my hand in his. Gasps sound through the room, combined with whistles, cheers, and the sound of women “aww”ing.
I can’t speak.
All I can do is look down at him and nod. And smile. And nod some more.
I don’t care if it will piss off my family. Or if it’s too soon. Or if he almost married my sister. This man makes me a better me. And I make him a better him. And I want that betterment for both of us. And I don’t want a day in my life where he isn’t included.
He slides the ring on my finger, tears sliding down his cheeks. Then he stands and takes my face in his palms and kisses me. A kiss like no other. I don’t know if it’s because we’re engaged, or the JELL-O shots, or the frivolity of the day. But the kiss is magical. Literally. Transporting me to another world where we are the only two people and it’s perfect.
He takes the kiss a little deeper, and I wrap my arms around his neck and hang on. I vaguely hear the cheers and whistles of our friends around us, choosing instead to listen to Mason’s murmurs of love between kisses.
