Page 77 of Snowed In with Four Firemen
“Great,” Hailey chirps, stepping aside and gesturing to the now-vacant seat. “Emily, right here.Next to me.”
I glance at Jace as I slide into the chair, catching the smirk on his lips, the way his gaze warms as it sweeps over me. He leans back, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he takes in Chloe’s flustered expression.
“Glad you could join us,” he murmurs softly, his voice low before he looks down the table, his smirk widening as it finds Axel, Ben, and Tanner. Jace is practically gloating. He puts a hand behind my chair possessively.
“So,” I murmur, leaning back slightly, my gaze sliding to Jace. “Having a good time?”
He grins, his eyes glittering with mischief. “Oh, I am now.”
I roll my eyes but can’t help the smile tugging at my lips. “You’re incorrigible.”
“Guilty as charged,” he murmurs, his gaze dropping to my lips. “You gonna hold it against me?”
The heat in his eyes makes my stomach flip, but before I can respond, Hailey cuts in.
“You guys are adorable,” she says, sighing happily as she pours herself a fresh glass of wine. “I always knew you two would end up together.”
“Hailey—” I start, but she waves me off.
“I always knew you were going to find your way back to each other,” Hailey says.
My cheeks flush, and I glance down at my hands. But out of the corner of my eye, I catch Chloe’s expression—tight and strained, her knuckles white as she grips her fork.
Jace’s arm rests on the back of my chair, casual but possessive, and I can feel the heat of his body, his presence so reassuring andcomfortable.It’s like everything is finally falling into place, and for the first time in a long time, I’m actually having fun.
The guys are all watching us, I can feel it. Axel’s jaw is tight, Tanner looks like he’s tryingwaytoo hard not to stare, andBen…Ben’s gaze keeps flicking between me and Jace, a storm brewing in his eyes. They’re jealous. It’s obvious. And it’s weirdly thrilling to be in the center of all of it, to be the one they’re all focused on.
Jace leans in a little closer, his lips brushing my ear as he murmurs something else—something teasing, playful—and I can’t help but laugh again, my heart skipping. He’s claiming me, in front of everyone, and I know it. And I know they know it, too.
And then I see him.
My heart stutters, my breath catching in my throat as Whit strides into the dining hall, his eyes immediately locking on mine. Everything around me slows down, my good mood evaporating in an instant as I sit up straighter, my stomach churning.
He’s striding toward me with that arrogant swagger that used to make my stomach flip for all the wrong reasons. Now, it just makes me sick.
“Whit,” I manage to say, my voice a little shaky. “What are you?—?”
And then he does it.
Right in front of everyone.
He drops down on one knee.
“Oh my God,” I gasp, my hand flying to my mouth as the entire room seems to suck in a collective breath.
Whit looks up at me, his eyes glinting with something…determined. It’s not love. It’s not even affection. It’spossession.Like I’m something he’s entitled to, something he’s already claimed.
“Emily,” he says, his voice loud and clear, cutting through the stunned silence of the room. “I’ve made mistakes. I know that. But I’ve had time to think and realize now that I can’t live without you. You’re the love of my life, and I want to spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
My heart is pounding so hard I can barely breathe, my throat tightening as I sit there, completely frozen. This isn’t happening. Thiscannotbe happening.
He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box, and the room gasps again.
“No, no, no,” I whisper under my breath, shaking my head. But he’s not listening.
“I know I’ve hurt you, but I’ve changed,” Whit continues, his voice smooth and confident, like he’s rehearsed this a hundred times. “I’m asking you, here in front of everyone, to give me another chance. To marry me.”
He opens the box, revealing a massive diamond ring that catches the light, sparkling brilliantly.
