Page 94 of All Yours

“Come on,” she whispered, crossing the room to the door.

I stood and adjusted myself, then blew out the candles on the mantle. Then, I glimpsed Sloane staring at me from across the room.

“I love you,” she said.

I made it across the room in seconds and pressed her against the door and claiming her lips. “Love you, too,” I whispered, breaking apart.

She moaned.

“You can have the rest when we get home,” I said.

Sloane smiled. “Deal.”

We each took a deep breath and exited the room. At the top of the landing, the foyer was full of people all looking up at us. Lauren and Camden were front and center, with Lauren bouncing as if she couldn’t contain her energy.

“Told ya,” Sloane murmured and held up her left hand to the gathered crowd. A cheer rose and the sounds of champagne bottles popping echoed.

Chapter Thirty-One

Sloane

My legs shook as we descended the marble staircase. This wasn’t the ideal for a moment for an audience, as if navigating the steps in heels wasn’t hard enough on its own. But Jonah held onto me, and he’d never let me fall. I hadn’t had a moment to process it all yet. And wished we’d taken more time alone, but I suspected this was waiting for us.

“I’m so happy for you,” Lauren yelled when we reached the bottom of the stairs. She threw her arms around me. A barrage of a congratulatory chorus of hugs, backslaps, handshakes, and well-wishes awaited us. At some point, Jonah and I became separated. Then Lauren disappeared. A glass of champagne appeared in my hand.

“My dear, this is amazing news,” Mrs. Pennington bellowed, grabbing me up in a hug that would leave the indention of her pearls on my face. “You are absolutely more than welcome to have your wedding here, if you like.” She turned and yelled, “Alice.”

“Right here, Aunt Ellen,” Alice said from behind her.

“There you are,” she said. “Let’s make sure in the planning of the gardens we have some lovely areas for weddings.”

“Sounds fun,” Alice said. “But let’s give Sloane time to enjoy being engaged.” She smiled.

“Yes, of course. Weddings take lots of planning.” Mrs. Pennington turned to Camden. “So, how about you? When are you going to make an honest woman out of that Hart girl?”

Camden looked around as if he’d heard his name called from somewhere else. “What’s that?” he called to no one. “I’m needed over here.” He pointed and scurried away.

Alice and I laughed.

Mrs. Pennington smiled. “That silly man. He’s crazy about that girl. I don’t know what he’s waiting on.”

“Well, they are both still in temporary housing with their living situation until they complete the Commons, and they haven’t known each other for as long as Jonah and I.”

“How long have you two known each other?” Alice asked.

“Four years now.”

“There you are,” Lauren said, coming up beside me.

“Where’ve you been?” I asked.

“Bathroom. Then, you disappeared.”

“I was sucked into the crowd like quicksand. And I have no idea where Jonah is.” I gestured around.

“Oh my god, that bling,” Lauren exclaimed. “Let me see that ring.”

I held up my left hand for inspection.

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