Finding a florist able to fill the last minute request for twelve dozen roses took some work. I guess that wasn’t a frequent request in a community like Corolla. I choked down any problem with the cost. Colin wouldn’t care, and I was charging it to him. He wanted everything perfect for his proposal, and I was making sure that everything on my list was done exactly as he wanted.

After handing over Colin’s payment information, I burst into an uncontrolled grin as I thought back on the previous night with Macon. He was everything, yet nothing, I expected. I’d been confident the sex would be good, but I’d never expected we’d connect the way we did. Physically and emotionally Macon got me in a way that other guys never had.

“Is that all?” the florist asked giving me a funny look.

“Yes, sorry.” I waited as an employee, who looked like a younger version of the owner, walked out to my car with me. He helped me load all one hundred and forty-four roses into the backseat. I slipped him a two dollar tip. It wasn’t much, but I was learning just how important tips could be.

My to-do list completed, I headed home, listening to my new favorite radio event—‘80s Flashback Friday. It’s amazing how your tastes can change.

“Hey babe,” Macon pulled open the door as soon as my key turned in the lock.

I hugged him, taking a moment to inhale his post-shave smell. It was probably just the aftershave he used, but I loved the scent. “I’ve got twelve dozen roses cooking in the car, I need to get changed fast.”

“Need my help?”

I put a hand on my hip. “Yes. Go sit in my car with it running so I don’t kill the flowers. I’ll be down in ten minutes.”

He took the keys I held out to him. “Not exactly the help I was offering, but I’ll do whatever my lady needs.”

“Well, you know I may let you help with other things later if you do this for me now.”

“As if I needed anymore persuasion.” He kissed me gently.

I closed my eyes and opened them again. “I need to stay focused.”

“Ok, I’ll be good.” He stepped back.

“Why am I nervous?” I asked the rhetorical question out loud.

“Because your brother is about to pop the most important question of his life.”

“Ok. When you put it that way it makes sense.”

“It’s sweet how much you care. I hope Colin knows how lucky he is to have a sister like you.”

“Well, he’s already proven he’s a great brother, so maybe this makes us even.”

“I’ll head down to the car and stay out of your way. See you in ten.” Macon headed toward the front door.

Eight minutes later (I pride myself in getting ready quickly) I slipped into the passenger seat of my car. “Ok, all set.”

“When you say ten minutes, you mean it.”

“That can’t surprise you. You’re used to me.”

“Used to you? No. I’ll never be used to you. That makes it sound like you’re not exciting. But no, I’m not surprised.” He put a hand on my leg as he backed out of the spot.

“Do you think she expects anything?” I leaned back against the cloth seat. Macon didn’t spend as much time with Maddy as he used to, but if anyone knew what she was thinking he would.

“No, but she finally told me.”

“What?” I sat up with a start. “When? Why didn’t you tell me she told you?”

“Earlier today. We had lunch and she spilled. She apologized for not telling me earlier.”

“What did you say?” I crossed my fingers he hadn’t let on he already knew.

“I didn’t want to outright lie, so I just asked lots of questions.”

“Did she say anything else? I need details.”

He squeezed my knee. “She said she was dying to tell Colin, and that she was still trying to figure out how to do it.”

“Well… at least his secret will be officially out before the end of the night.”

“That it will.”

Macon pulled into an employee spot in front of the Grille. I was technically not on the books to work that night, but Max had added me on so Maddy wouldn’t be suspicious. Unlike Macon who hung out at the Grille just to annoy her, I didn’t generally show up at work when I didn’t have to.

“I’m going to go around back with these roses. I’ll see you in a few.” Macon kissed me on the cheek before I walked inside.

Mary grabbed my arm as soon as I walked in. “Isn’t this exciting?” Her huge grin matched the tone of her voice. She was genuinely excited for Maddy.

“Very. I hope it all goes well.” I smoothed out my hair. I hadn’t taken the time to do much of anything with it.

“It will. Are you going to be out there with her?”

“Yeah. I’m telling her Max said I can shadow her for longer than usual.”

“Nice. I’m going to make sure I get out there in time.”

“Good. See you in a few.”

She released my arm, and I walked off.

“Hey, Carly.” Maddy looked up from the bar. She was putting a garnish on someone’s drink. From what I’d learned from my favorite polo shirt wearing instructor, the drink was in an Old-Fashioned glass.

“Hey.” I tried to keep my voice level. I didn’t want to let on that I knew something big was coming.

“I’m glad you’re here. It looks like it’s going to be a large crowd tonight.”

“Yeah, it’s always crowded on Fridays.” I checked to make sure the kegs were full the way Maddy explained I needed to do. I had to find something to do so I didn’t lose my mind.

“But I guess Max found a new singer. He hadn’t found anyone decent since Lyle left.” She looked down when she mentioned the name of the musician who used to perform once a week at the Grille. She’d had a bit of a crush on him when she was already dating Colin. I’d called her out on it. It wasn’t a huge deal, but it was probably the only awkward thing between us.

“Yeah? I can’t wait to hear him or her.”

“Hey, can I get a round of blow job shots?” a guy around our age asked.

I blushed. Maddy didn’t blink. “Sure, one for each of you?”

“Yup, if you can manage.” He grinned.

“You’re so funny,” I said sarcastically. For once I didn’t feel like being quiet. No one was going to talk to Maddy inappropriately the night of her engagement.

He turned his leer to me. “Why don’t you pour the shots, sugar?”

“Sugar? Seriously?” I raised an eyebrow. “Can’t you think of a better one?”

“I knew you had it in you.” Maddy laughed. “Why don’t we make them together?”

Of course that got the guys howling. We turned our backs. And she pulled down two bottles. “It’s just Bailey’s and Kahlua.”

“Then what makes it a blow job?”

“The whipped cream.”

I made a face. “Why would guys order that?”

“To make us uncomfortable.”

“Ah… I see.”

She leaned in. “Don’t worry. We’ll make them uncomfortable right back.”

I carefully measured out the liquors. I’d finally accepted that I didn’t have a particularly accurate eye for measuring things. Maybe I’d learn eventually. Maddy covered all four with whipped cream.

She set them down in front of them. “All right, you guys only get them if you take them the right way.”

I covered my mouth with my hand. Oh my.

“Can’t you show us how that works, hun?” the ring leader asked.

“She’s hun and not sugar? I guess I should feel special.”

Maddy nudged me. I was on a role. “Nope. You ordered them.”

The guy cocked an eyebrow. “What? You really want to see how good I am with my mouth?”

I was dying, seriously dying. This was too much.

Maddy leaned forward. “Yes, as a matter of fact we do.”

“I’ll show you.”

“Camera,” Maddy mouthed and nodded toward the back of the bar. I got the hint and found what she was hinting at. One of those old school instant develop cameras sat on the bottom shelf.

I got ready. As soon as the guy bent down to take the shot with his mouth I took a picture. I took another right after to show the whipped cream mustache.

He wiped his mouth. “Hey!”

I laughed. And held up the pictures that were starting to develop. “Maybe you can find a better use for your mouth later.”

His friends laughed at him.

He wiped his mouth again even though the residue of the whipped topping was gone. “Maybe I can find a better use of yours.”

Maddy stared him down. “I don’t think her boyfriend would like that.” She winked at me.

The guy leaned over the bar. “I don’t see him.”

“I do.” I saw Macon and decided to play along. I had a feeling Maddy had found out about our secret relationship anyhow. I moved around the bar and ran into Macon’s arms, planting a huge kiss on his lips.

He kissed me back, laughing as I pulled back. “Miss me already?”

“Just making a point.” I took his hand as I led him back over to the bar. “See, my mouth is very well used.”

Macon looked between the guys, three of which still had untouched shots with the whipped cream melting. “Uh, do I want to know what that’s in reference to?”

“No, you don’t,” Maddy quickly answered.

“Okay, I’ll trust you on that.”

“Want your usual?” She asked.

“Yes, but I want your cute partner here to make it for me.”

The annoying guy looked at Macon and then at me before shaking his head. “You guys are seriously weird.” He put some cash down, and they walked off.

“Somehow I doubt they left a big tip,” I laughed.

“No… but it was worth it.”

Macon examined one of the shots. “Wait, did those guys order blow jobs from you?”

“Yeah… and our girl here totally put them in their place. I knew she was a natural.”

I picked up the untouched shots and poured them out in the sink. “Or you’re just a really good teacher.”

“Hey, you’re the one taking bartending classes with her.”

“Speaking of which, where’s my Long Island, woman?”

“Woman?” I put a hand on my hip. “You didn’t just say that.”

“Yes I did.” He smirked. I knew he was irking me on purpose, but sometimes it worked too well.

“Maybe you should make your own.”

“Carly, are you asking a paying customer to make his own drink?” Max took an empty stool.

I pulled down the triple sec. I’d have to double check with Maddy on which rum, vodka, and gin to use. “Is Macon really a paying customer?”

“He better be.” Max attempted to give us all a serious look, but he ended up breaking into a smile. “More importantly, how’s the bartending practice going? You ready for a test?”

“Uh, Maybe.” Was he really going to make me do this tonight? I was already a bundle of nerves over the proposal.

“If you can manage Macon’s Long Island I’d say that’s good enough for tonight. Hopefully when I ask you next time I’ll get a resounding yes.”

I laughed. “I hope so.” I made a mental note to spend more time quizzing myself with my drink app.

“When’s the new musician starting?” Maddy poured a few glasses of wine and walked back over.

“Any minute now.”

“Where’d you find him?” She pressed.

“It turns out he’s been here all along.” Max stood up. “I’ll see you kids later.” He shot us an ‘oh crap’ look and hurried off.

“What was that all about?” Maddy asked.

“No idea.” Macon ran his fingers over a scratch in the bar top. “So, is there any way for a guy to get a drink around here?”

I laughed. “Sure. I can’t promise it’s going to be as good as Maddy’s, but it’s going to be better than last time.”

Macon chuckled. “That’s not saying much.”

I glared at him. “Do you want a drink or not?”

“Of course I do, but I’m winning tonight.”

“Are you guys still playing the ‘who can piss each other off more game?’” Maddy shook her head. “I’d have thought once you started sleeping together that would have lost its appeal.”

Macon turned to her. “Don’t you get it, it’s gained appeal.”

“Umm, what are you talking about?” I shot Macon a look. Maybe she hadn’t figured it out on her own.

“Oh, I forget to tell you. Maddy admitted to knowing that earlier today.”

I resisted the urge to hit him upside the head.

“Ok, let’s drop it. Carly, what can I do to help?”

I decided to let it go. No reason to cause any problems that night. “I think I’ve got this.” I felt a sudden surge of confidence, and I decided to embrace it.

A few minutes later I set what I hoped was a perfectly mixed Long Island iced tea down in front of Macon. Of course in the time I made that one drink Maddy had mixed at least four, but I refused to compare myself to her.

Macon took a sip. “Nice going, babe.”

“Yay!” I jumped up and down.

Maddy patted me on the back. “See, I told you you’d get there.”

A large crowd came over, and I helped Maddy out as best I could.

“Could you cut up some limes for me?”

“Sure.” I’d messed that up the first time she’d asked me to do. I hadn’t realized that limes and lemons have to be cut differently. This time I got it right, and she thanked me before serving a round of Coronas.

I was so busy with the drinks I’d forgotten to look for Colin. Because of that I was as surprised as Maddy when I heard his voice over the microphone.

“Hey everyone, I’m Colin and I’ve got a song to sing to someone special.”

Maddy set aside the tequilla she was holding and walked around the bar. “What? Colin’s going to sing?”

“You haven’t heard him sing before have you?”

“No. I thought he just wrote songs. He never sings them.”

“Then you’re in for a treat.” I leaned back against the back counter.

Colin started in on his newest song, Hard to Get. It was obviously all about Maddy. It had his signature mix of sweetness and humor, and I knew Maddy was going to love it.

“Oh my god.” Maddy wiped a few tears off her face.

“I didn’t know Colin could sing that well,” Macon whispered.

“Yeah, we’ve got some musical genes in the family.” I came around to sit next to him.

“Can you sing too?”

“Yeah, and I play piano. Kim plays both guitar and piano of course.”

“Wait. Don’t tell me. Did you guys have one of those sibling bands?”

“Really, Macon?”

“What?” He held up his hands in front of him in defense. “I could see it.”

I laughed, and turned back to watch Colin finish the song.

Colin set down his guitar and walked over to Maddy. “I have something really important to ask you.”

I leaned forward on my stool. Macon grabbed my hand. I noticed Brody standing off to the side with a smile.

“Yes?” Maddy asked tentatively.

“Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” He fell down to one knee and opened the box.

Of course the entire crowd started cheering and clapping. Max and Mary came over, and we all watched with anticipation.

Maddy teared up and nodded. “Yes.”

Colin slid the ring on her finger and pulled her into a hug.

“I’m pregnant.” She said the words loudly enough that the nearest members of the crowd could hear. There were quite a few gasps.

“You’re what?” Colin’s eyes widened, and I hoped with everything I had that he didn’t act like an idiot and screw everything up.

“I’m pregnant.” Maddy repeated herself, but this time she looked down.

He put a hand under her chin and made her look at him. “How pregnant?” He looked at her wide eyed. “Wait, you know what we can discuss that later. This is a good thing. We’re getting married and having a kid… life’s moving in the right direction.”

I squeezed Macon’s hand. “Wow, that was a nice save, and finally there’s no more secrets.”

“There’s still one.”

“No. Not tonight, Macon.”

“Yeah… I’m just going to get this over with so we can all get back to normal.”

“Nope. No way.” I cut Macon off before he could get to my brother. I hugged him. “Congratulations!”

“Thanks. It looks like you’re going to be an aunt, huh?”

“Yeah…”

“Why aren’t you more surprised?” Understanding crossed his face. “You knew. That’s why you pushed me to propose this week.”

“Wait, what?” Maddy asked. “Is that why you told me to wait before I told him?”

Macon slipped an arm around my shoulder. “Yes, to both of those questions. Carly was trying to make everything perfect for you.”

“I can’t believe you kept that from me.” Colin seemed to be talking to himself.

“I’m sleeping with Carly,” Macon blurted out.

My heart stopped. Had he seriously told my brother just like that?

“Well, she is your girlfriend now, isn’t she?” Colin smiled.

Macon and I both looked at Maddy. “You told him?”

She shook his head, and Colin smiled. “I had a hunch, and Brody confirmed my suspicion.”

“Where is Brody anyhow?” Maddy glanced around.

“He’s around here.” I knew exactly what he was getting ready. It went hand in hand with the roses Macon had set up.

“What’s going on?” Maddy glanced around.

“This way, babe.” Colin led her back inside. I followed with Macon right behind me.

The top of the bar was covered with red roses, and in the center was a large plate of chocolate covered strawberries. Colin said they were her favorite.

“This is the first spot I ever saw you. It’s also the spot where you finally said yes to going out on a date with me.”

Maddy smiled and started crying again. I’m sure she was on emotion overload. “You’re so sweet.”

“I’m so lucky to have you. I can’t believe how close I came to losing you last year—and I promise you are always going to come first. Our family will always come first.”

My heart was going to burst. I was so incredibly happy for them.

“Should we give them some privacy?” Macon whispered. That’s when I realized the whole main dining area and bar area was empty. Max had cleared it out.

“Sure. Let’s go.” I slipped my hand into Macon’s before taking one more glance over my shoulder at the happy newly engaged couple.