Page 71 of The Sweet Part
“Yes!” Sophie exclaims. He high-fives her, and they both turn to me expectantly.
“My weekend just opened up thanks to you. I’m still floored that you booked the whole inn and planned all this!”
He grabs my coat from the hook and helps me on with it. “All I can say is thank God you went for it. Ready for the next part of our lives?”
I nod, pure joy bubbling up. I could just float away.
He takes my hand, and Sophie takes the other.
“Ready,” Sophie and I say in unison. I can’t stop smiling.
* * *
Mason
As soon as I open the door to the dance studio where they hold the dance every year, I lean in and shout, “She said yes!”
A cheer goes up with lots of whistles and hooting too. My family is nuts in the best possible way. I let May and Sophie go in first. The place is decorated with silver and gold streamers and congratulations balloons. Alice planned the decorations for us.
On a small stage beyond the dance floor, a jazz band starts their music. On my right is a buffet table and drink table catered by Happy Endings of course. It’s so cool that Happy Endings used to be owned by May’s family and then mine. It’s fate.
“You guys!” May exclaims, putting a hand over her heart. The new diamond engagement ring sparkles in the light. “I can’t believe you planned all this without me knowing!”
Alice joins us. “The key was bribing Sophie.” She hands Sophie a cake pop with white icing and a pink heart.
“Best Valentine’s Day ever,” Sophie says, taking a bite of her cake pop.
“Congratulations!” Alice says, hugging May first and then me. She looks up at me. “I was rooting for you.”
“I sure appreciate it.”
May’s parents come over to congratulate us. Her dad gives me a hearty handshake, leaning in to whisper, “Seems like my advice worked. Congratulations.”
I smile. “It did.”
“I knew it right from the start,” her mom says with a wide smile. “I knew you were right for her and Sophie.”
“Thank you,” I say.
“Mom, how did you know?” May asks.
She gestures between us. “The way you looked at each other, how good he is with Sophie, and he’s easygoing. You have to be to get along with this family. Just look at how he took my surprise visit to his work in stride.”
I chuckle. “I definitely felt like I was getting checked out on that visit.”
“And you passed.” Her mom gives me a hug. “Welcome to the family.”
“Thank you.”
Her dad jerks his chin at me. “What did you give her?”
May grins. “A tire-changing kit, so me and Sophie will always be safe. It’s hydraulic and uses a volt thing in the car.”
Her dad hides a smile. “Sounds perfect.”
“But is it legendary?” I ask.
“Time will tell,” her dad says.
