Page 100 of Faking I Do
“It’s yes. It’s always been yes with you. Yes now, yes before, yes forever.”
Bodie laughed. “I just wondered if you’d rather join me for flan or chocolate cake for dessert.”
“I don’t like flan.” I kissed the edge of his mouth, then trailed kisses to his ear.
“That’s why I brought you the cake.” He fell back to his butt, settling me on his lap. “But I also wanted to get your engagement story right.”
“I’m so sorry.” I ran my palms over his cheeks, wanting to make sure he was really here, in the flesh, not some figment of my imagination. “I just wanted everything to be perfect. But I screwed it up. And then you were there, and Luke, too.”
Bodie ran a hand over my hair, trying to smooth it down. “I know. I’m sorry, too. I should have been upfront with you about what was going on with my family.”
“You were just trying to protect them.” Like he’d tried to protect me. Like he protected everyone and everything. “I should have believed you when you said you weren’t going to rig the election. You’re not that kind of man.”
“We both messed up.” He touched his forehead to mine. “So you ready for the real question?”
I nodded.
“Will you marry me?”
In a split second those four words changed everything. “Yes! Of course I’ll marry you. I’ve wanted to marry you my whole life.”
“Good, let’s go.” Bodie slipped the ring on my finger and made a move to stand.
“What, now?” I ran a hand over my hair. “I can’t marry you now, I’m a mess.”
He pressed a kiss to my lips as he lifted me to my feet. “Don’t worry, I lined up a little help.”
CHAPTER 51
LACEY
If anyone had toldme a few months ago that I’d be getting ready for my wedding inside the same house where I’d once nearly ruined everything, I would’ve laughed them right out the door. But here I was—standing in the middle of the Phillips House, surrounded by a small army of helpers—while someone fussed with my hair, someone else fluffed my skirt, and Jojo circled like a drill sergeant with a curling iron.
“Hold still, Madame Mayor,” she ordered, sticking another bobby pin into my head like she was planting a flag. “You’ve got more flyaways than a flock of migrating geese.”
“I told you I could do it myself,” I said, laughing as my nerves skittered through me like static. “This isn’t exactly a royal wedding.”
Jojo snorted. “Honey, after all the drama you’ve put this town through, it’s aseries finaleevent.”
That set off another round of laughter from the small crowd that had somehow assembled: Zina with her makeup brushes, Luke keeping everyone supplied with coffee and donuts, even my dad, who was supposed to be waiting outside but kept poking his head in like he couldn’t quite believe this was really happening.
“It’s time,” Dad said, his voice thick with emotion. “You ready, sweetheart?”
I turned toward the mirror. For a second, I barely recognized the woman staring back at me. My hair fell in soft waves, my dress floated like spun sugar, and my eyes that had been puffy and red from crying now shone with something fierce and bright. It had to be love.
“Yeah,” I whispered. “I’m ready.”
Jojo pressed a bouquet of wildflowers into my hands, whispering, “Okay, Mayor. Take a deep breath. Time to turn the biggest scandal of the year into a love story.”
I rolled my eyes, but my throat tightened anyway. I didn’t want to ruin my makeup, but the tears were already threatening.
Outside, sunlight spilled across the yard, turning everything gold. Someone had fixed the arbor and it stood at the far end of the lawn, wildflowers twined around the posts, ribbons catching the breeze. Rows of white folding chairs sat on either side of an impossibly long aisle.
The music started. “Here Comes the Bride” played from Jojo’s ancient speaker. I looped my arm through my dad’s.
“Don’t let me fall,” I whispered.
“Never, sweetheart,” he said, his voice soft.
