Page 66 of Second Swing
“Let’s do something this weekend?”
“I’d love to, but I just found out Cassidy is getting proposed to this weekend.” I squeal, and he chuckles warmly at my excitement. “Actually, one sec—” I close the office door, not wanting Cassidy to hear me if she comes in. “I want to celebrate the tournament, but I agreed to decoratefor the engagement party. Would you like to come with me?”
“Anywhere you are is where I want to be.” I nibble my bottom lip at his words, wishing I could kiss him.
“I love you,” I breathe, unable to hold the words in. They feel so easy to say to him, the fear no longer choking me.
“I love you too. Get to work, Dove.”
“Bye,” I whisper as I step back out into the bar and disconnect the call.
“Can you hand me the tape?” Janelle leans over, tearing off a strip so I can secure the last side of the She Said Yes! banner to the entry way.
The girls were waiting for me in Brianna’s car when I pulled into the driveway, and we got straight to work. Janelle is still grieving her uncle, but I’m glad she’s here and getting out of the house. There are times when it’s better to rot in bed with a pint of ice cream and other times where it’s better to be sad, but with your friends. This just so happens to be one of the latter moments.
“Do you girls need anything? I’m going to make sure everyone is ready.” Clinton says, his head popping in from the other side of the room. His eyes travel over my hips, stopping as they reach the cinching on my dress where the ties are knotted into a bow on my chest. When his gaze finally makes it up to my eyes, my face is heated, and he wears a knowing smirk.
“We’re good!” I beam and shake off the rising temperature in mybody.
By the time he’s back around the corner, my face is flushed and my core is warm in anticipation.
“That man is going to fold you up like fresh laundry later,” Brianna whispers behind me.
“Hush.” I giggle, swatting in her direction. “I know!” Even though Janelle is quieter than usual tonight, I can tell she is silently screaming with B at my words.
I can’t believe how different life is from only a few months ago. Clinton being here, sharing such a huge moment with my chosen family makes our group feel complete. He got right to work getting the tables and cushioned chairs set up for the party since Anders went to pick up Alma and Lee. It allowed the girls and me to get the decorations done. Could we have finished this without him? Sure, but he made it that much easier. He makes everything about my life easier by simply being in it.
I swipe my thumb across the tape and stare at the sign. “Done.” I step back and stand next to Janelle and B. Knocks sound at the door, as the last few stragglers come in and are ushered into the room by Clinton. He winks at me, and all the butterflies in my stomach erupt.
Brianna squeezes me. “Looks like you’re going to be next.”
I choke out a cough in shock from B’s teasing. “Next what?”
“Girl, now is not the time to play coy.” Janelle bumps her hip into mine, causing me to knock into B. “You both are so fucking in love with each other. It looks good on you.” Her last words feel like a warm embrace, and I know she’s right.
“Maybe I am,” I say, before pulling out of their grasp. “Come on, let’s go say hi to the infamous Alma and get ready.” Walking into the livingroom, we give quick hellos to everyone; some faces we know, and there are new ones too.
“They did well. The house looks lovely,” an older woman’s voice chirps from a grouping of chairs, and I can already tell it’s Alma. When I turn I see Lee, Cassidy’s grandma, along with who I now know to be Alma, both being helped to their chairs by Anderson. My heels click against the hardwood floors as I get closer. I lean in and give Lee a hug, and then when I attempt to shake Alma’s hand, she scoffs as she pulls me in for an embrace. The ten-minute alarm I set on my phone begins to ring, warning us of the soon-to-be’s incoming arrival.
I turn on my heels to turn the alarm off. Walking up next to Brianna, in a sing-song voice I say, “Let’s get the food set up for our girl’s proposal.”
Brianna wraps her arm around my waist and does the same to Janelle. “Our girl is going to be a whole fiancée, y’all.”
Before I can reply, I hear sniffles and turn to look at B. Her long, blonde curls are piled high in a messy bun—I wish I had her hair—the way her waves fall effortlessly around her face. I suddenly notice her misty eyes. “Are you crying, you big baby?” And though I’m calling her out, I can feel the tightness in my chest from similar emotions.
“You’re one to talk.” She giggles and leans her head on my shoulder. Wiping my eyes, I give her side a squeeze and unwrap my arms from around Brianna, making my way to the kitchen. We make quick work of pulling out the food and getting ourselves in position just as Jameson walks through the door, hand in hand with my best friend.
The door swings wide, and Cassidy’s so consumed with the beautiful moment and ring that she doesn’t look up until all our friends and family scream in excitement.
“Congratulations!’’ The room erupts in cheers as we all shout, popping confetti bombs as the two lovebirds walk into their new home. My best friend’s eyes go wide, her hand goes to cover her gaping mouth.
Unable to hold ourselves back, Janelle, Brianna, and I rush her as we all wrap our arms around her. When we finally let go, Cass is back in Jameson’s arms again until she shifts to face the room. “Thank you all so much for doing this.”
“Babe, show us the ring!” Brianna shouts, pulling Cassidy’s hand toward her. Her tone drops, almost to a whisper, as she gazes my way. “Holy shit, itisbigger than your ass.”
“We love you guys so much,” I say to Cassidy through teary eyes. We’ve all had a couple drinks, had our fill of tapas, and now my feet are killing me. I could think of nothing better than to be at home cuddled under my blankets.
Cass pulls me into a hug, squeezing my arms beneath hers as she sheds happy tears. “I can’t believe you knew about this all week and said nothing.”
