Page 149 of A Very Merry Mistake

“No, they’re just being dicks.” I flip Lucas off. He pretends his hand is a fishing rod, casts a line, and then winds his middle finger upright. I roll my eyes.

“Oh, what’s this?” Claire says. I drop to my knee, open the top, and pull out the strawberries and champagne.

I wanted to wait until the fireworks started, but I’m impatient. No, I have to do it right now. So I place my hand in my pocket and pull out the diamond ring. She covers her mouth and looks around. My brothers and best friend are grinning widely, and thankfully, one of them is recording the moment on his phone.

“Claire Caitlyn Chester Manchester. CeCe,” I whisper her nickname.

She bursts into laughter as I grab her hand. I swallow hard, nervous as hell. My PTSD of what happened the last time I proposed hits me like a ton of bricks, but it’s different with Claire. It’s right. She’s the one.

“You good?” I ask, and she nods, biting the corner of her lip. “You’re my favorite person. You’re beautiful. Smart. Caring and full of compassion, and though sometimes you’re a Stubborn Susan, I can’t imagine a future without you as my wife. I want to experience life with you and grow old together. I’ll love you until the end of time, but I’ve just got one question. Will you be a good girl and marry me?”

EPILOGUE

CLAIRE

Butterflies erupt inside of me as soon as the question leaves his mouth. “Yes. Yes!”

I glance down at the ring he’s holding, then wrap my arms around his neck, falling onto my knees in front of him, kissing him, telling him how much I love him and have always loved him. Too much emotion is pouring out of me, but I don’t care. Being with this man has already been a dream, but now we have forever.

“Yes, JJ. I’ll be honored to be your wife,” I whisper in his ear, then I kiss him like tomorrow will never come. As he slides the ring on my finger, I study it and gasp, my bottom lip quivering. It’s almost too much seeing it on my hand, sparkling.

“My mother’s ring,” I whisper, covering my mouth. He nods, wiping the tears that stream down my face and splash onto my jeans. “You spoke to my father?” I ask.

He places his hand on my cheek. “Of course, darlin’. It’s the Southern way.”

“Thank you for this. It means so much.” My emotions threaten to spill over.

“That makes me happy,” he says against my lips.

The only thing that reminds me that we’re in public and people are around are the awws. Then I hear a familiar voice in the crowd. When I turn, I see my sister Emma rushing toward me, and she’s laughing. Her hair is down, and she’s got on short shorts and a tank top. I push away from Jake and rush to her, pulling her into a tight hug.

“I missed it, didn’t I?” She sticks out her bottom lip and looks at the ring.

“Wait, you knew?” We walk toward Jake and his brother, who are giving high-fives to one another.

“Yes, if I wouldn’t have gotten pulled over by the asshole state trooper, then maybe I’d have made it on time.”

A howl of laughter escapes me. “He gave me a ticket, too. What a dick. I’m so excited you’re here.”

“Me, too.” She loops her arm in mine, and we join everyone.

“Jollys and Hank, this is my sister Emma,” I announce. They each wave.

“This is Hank, Jake’s best friend. Watch out, he likes to call us city slickers.”

Emma laughs.

“This is Lucas, the youngest Jolly.”

My sister’s brow pops up as he walks over to her and takes her hand, giving her a kiss on the knuckles. “Nice to meet you.” Lucas winks.

She turns to Jake. “You didn’t tell me he’s flirty.”

I laugh and continue my introductions. “And this is Hudson, the oldest Jolly.”

“Nice to meet you,” Hudson says.

Emma smirks. And I know that look. “Pleasure is mine. Heard a lot about you,” she offers.

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