Page 47 of My Grumpy SEAL

He bends down immediately and kisses me. A flash of light makes us pull apart.

The photographer smiles at us. “That’s one for the books.”

CHAPTER20

JAKE

“Red! I want it red, not this light shade. Get me blood red if you have to.” The guy winces and I feel for him. Being on the receiving end of my sister’s temper is not a good experience.

“Yikes! Malcom must have it hard,” Harry says beside me and I give him an incredulous look.

“You are one to talk. You dropped your pregnant wife with her father and ran away,” I accuse him and he looks away.

“I went on a business trip,” he corrects me. “And no one told me a pregnant wife would be far worse than Bridezilla. The things I have suffered for Cecilia.” He shakes his head in pity.

It’s been three months since I told Bella I loved her and I have made sure to remind her every single day since then. I like to think it’s the reason we have lasted this long but she doesn’t seem to share my sentiments. Now I am about to let her know that I love her so much I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I grip the ring case in my hand and exhale.

Harry notices and says, “She will say yes. She doesn’t have much of a choice. You are asking her in front of not just family and friends but employees too.” Harry gestures around the hall and I wince.

“Is this a bad idea? Maybe I should just cancel the whole thing and do it during one of our dinners,” I think out loud.

Harry scoffs. “It’s too late for that.” He gestures at Jessica who is shouting at another unsuspecting employee.

I had made the mistake of telling Jessica about my plan to propose to Bella and she took it upon herself to plan the whole thing. It was out of my hands before I even bought the ring.

“I fucked up,” I groan and Harry laughs.

“Man, won’t it be funny if she ends up rejecting you, in front of all these people?” He laughs and I glare at him. “Lighten up, it’s just a joke.” He hits my arm and I have to control myself so I don’t hit him back.

Bell and I have had such a blissful relationship the past three months and I can’t wait to make her mine. As possessive as it sounds, I want to place the ring on her finger as a show of my ownership over her so other guys will back off. I mean younger guys.

She has assured me multiple times that she is not interested in anyone but me, but I will feel extremely better after she becomes Mrs. Hunt. My thoughts make me smile. Never thought I would see the day when a woman would make me this happy. Even Stephanie didn’t make me this happy.

Speaking of Stephanie, she and Bella have formed a weird bond that makes me apprehensive. I’m not sure what to make of it.

“More petals,” Jessica yells and I wince again. That woman should not be here assaulting my employees like that. But Malcolm had begged me to do anything to get her out of the house, something about postpartum depression.

“What part of more petals do you not understand?” she yells and Tristan immediately pulls her aside. Good or I would have to step in and throw my sister out.

Tristan and Bella remained friends, though I don’t understand why. When she told me he had been interested in her, I was ready to kick the threat out, but once again, Bella assured me there was nothing to worry about. I still don’t like the guy but I will tolerate him for the sake of his work ethic and Bella.

They continue to decorate the main hall and I walk around aimlessly, gearing myself up to ask the woman I love to spend the rest of her life with me.

Bella is currently out on another cake tasting with another irate bride and probably won’t be back till hours later, more than enough time to set up the surprise.

Thanks to Harry and Cecilia’s successful wedding, our event management department has been handling multiple events. And my girlfriend has handled them like a professional, and all of our clients have had nothing but good reviews. This is the second wedding Bella would be handling at the resort and I know she is up to the task, though I hear this bride is much worse than my sister and Cecilia put together. I have high hopes for Bella.

“Finally taking the big step,” I hear someone say and turn to see Samantha smiling at me. “I thought you’d never get around to it. I had my money on you proposing sooner.”

“It’s very comforting to know my employees have taken such an interest in my relationship,” I say dryly and she replies with a bright smile. She hands me a file. “What is this?”

“Event management returns for last month, impressive number.” She raises her brow at me. “Still want to go ahead with it?”

“Of course.” I look through the file and smile. I’ve been considering helping Bella set up her own event management agency, as an affiliate to the resort of course. She hasn’t been very responsive whenever I bring it up but I know she is more than capable. She just needs the right push. This would be part of the surprise.

“She is coming!” someone yells and my heart skips. Everyone scurries around frantically and someone switches off the light.

“Tristan! Where is Tristan,” I say into the darkness.

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