She looks beautiful, doesn’t she?” Mandy sighed. She’d never stop being a hopeless romantic, and the sight before her was full-on dreamy. Five feet or so beyond her, Gabe and Steph swayed to the soft music playing from speakers set high on the walls.
The lovebirds had gotten married that afternoon. A small ceremony, close friends and family only. Now the reception was in full swing. Drinks flowed and a happy buzz floated through the room. The band played a slow, romantic number as the guests gathered around to watch them share their first dance as husband and wife.
Gabe leaned down and kissed Steph softly, and Mandy’s heart hitched at the love shining between them. They were in a world all their own, and she couldn’t be happier for the two of them. She’d been a nervous wreck making Steph’s dress, but it had turned out beautiful. A simple design: ankle-length silk, delicate spaghetti straps, and accented by a crystal-studded belt. The gown cascaded over Steph’s gorgeous hourglass figure. She looked perfect in it.
Marcus, standing quietly behind her up until now, slipped his arms around her waist, and bent his head to her neck. “Mmm. She looks beautiful, but I’m afraid I’m a bit biased. If you ask me, the most beautiful woman in this room is currently in my arms.”
Heart lightened by his touch and his sweet words, she stroked her hand along the sleeve of his suit jacket and leaned her head back against his chest. “Glad to see you’re in a good mood tonight. You haven’t been yourself lately.”
Over the past year, their relationship had become…comfortable, in a favorite pair of jeans sort of way. More often than not she stayed at his place. He’d call her at work and tell her to meet him at home when she finished for the day. Over dinner, they’d chat, and then they’d take Cammie for a walk. Every night he’d make love to her, passionate and intense as always, and every night she’d fall asleep wrapped tightly in his arms.
It was bliss. The closer Gabe and Steph’s wedding got, though, the more distant he’d become. No matter how often she asked if something was wrong, he said no. Tonight’s good mood hopefully meant that, whatever it was, he’d resolved it.
He stilled, then sighed and rested his chin on top of her head. “Sorry I’ve been so distant. I’ve been doing some thinking.”
Crap. Was that good or bad? “About?”
He ducked his head. His voice rumbled in her ear, a low, husky murmur. “Steph’s dress is gorgeous, but I think yours should be more like the one you wore to the masquerade. You looked beautiful in that dress.”
She froze. Surely he wasn’t saying what she thought he was… “What are you talking about?”
He nudged her earlobe with his nose. “Your dress.”
Her heart beat so hard it became a dull thud in her ears. God, if he didn’t get to the point soon, she’d expire right here. “My dress for what?”
He heaved a sigh. “Your wedding dress, angel.”
She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing herself to draw a slow, deep breath. “Marcus Denali, don’t toy with me.”
They hadn’t talked about the future. He never brought it up, and she was content with their relationship as it was. She couldn’t deny, though, that helping Steph and Gabe with their wedding plans and creating Steph’s dress had her dreaming of “what if.” She loved Marcus more now than she had a year ago, when he’d sat across that Starbucks table, looked her in the eye, and told her he loved her. She couldn’t imagine her life without him, and the way he held her at night told her he felt the same.
Now? Hell. She wasn’t sure what he was telling her now.
Marcus heaved a sigh. “I’m not toying with you, angel, I promise, but clearly I’m not doing this right. Maybe I should be a bit more blunt.”
She reached back, caressing his stubbled cheek. “That would really be nice, because I’m very confused.”
He released her, moved around in front of her, and stared down at her for a moment, something somber in the depths of his eyes. The slight tremor in his fingers as he reached into the inside pocket of his suit jacket didn’t escape her notice either. The last time she could remember him being this nervous was…well, that day in Starbucks.
He finally pulled his hand from his pocket and turned it over. Seated on his palm was a navy-blue jewelry box. One corner of his mouth hitched as he pried the lid open. Inside the velvet box sat a gorgeous ring. A single, traditional solitaire with a white-gold band twisted to resemble a knot beneath the setting. “Do you have any idea how hard it was to hide this from you?”
She stifled a gasp behind her hand, looking between him and the ring. “This? This is what you’ve been all secretive about? God, I thought…”
Her breathing hitched as the moment rushed up on her, and the rest of the words refused to leave her throat. All she could do was stare at Marcus’s handsome face while the beautiful music for Steph and Gabe’s first dance played in the background.
“Sorry, angel. I wanted it to be right, and I’m nervous as hell. I’ve never done this before.” He cleared his throat and dropped to one knee in front of her. “Marry me, Mandy.”
His form blurred before her as tears flooded her eyes. She reached out, slipping her fingers through his hair. “You scared the hell out of me. To quote someone I know, I wasn’t sure if you were hinting at something or preparing to send me off.”
“I told you this a year ago, and I’m sure I’ve told you every day since, but apparently you need to hear it again: I love you, and I’m never letting you go. I want forever, and I want it official.” The box trembled in his palm, but his gaze remained steady on hers. “Say yes, angel.”
A single tear slipped passed her defenses, trailing down her cheek. Marcus always insisted he wasn’t good with words, that he wasn’t good with relationships, but he couldn’t be more wrong. He might be a man of few words, but the ones he spoke often left her speechless. Like now.
There were probably about a thousand things she ought to say to him in return. That she loved him with everything she had and everything she was. How grateful she was they’d found each other at the masquerade. Or even that the thought of spending the rest of her life with him filled her with an unparalleled sense of rightness, whether they actually got married or not.
As it was, the words caught in the lump in her throat, and all she managed was a whispered, “Yes.”
Marcus launched to his feet, swooped her up, and crushed her against his chest. “You’ve just made me the happiest man on the planet.”
Applause erupted throughout the room, several whistles piercing the air. She’d gotten so caught up in his proposal she hadn’t even realized the music had stopped. She turned her head, taking in the crowd around them. Gabe and Steph now stood side by side within the circle, holding hands. Everyone else was staring at her and Marcus, and every face was smiling.
Lauren caught her eye and gave her a thumbs-up. Trent, standing behind Lauren, smiled. Warmth filled his eyes as he winked.
Her face heating a thousand degrees, Mandy turned toward Steph, ready to apologize for stealing her and Gabe’s limelight, when Gabe looked to Marcus and cocked a dark brow.
“Took you long enough.” A slow grin curled across Gabe’s face. “We stalled as much as we could.”
Marcus’s cheeks turned a soft shade of pink as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Damn nerve-racking thing to do in the middle of a crowd.”
Mandy frowned, looking to Gabe and Steph, who both stood with knowing grins. “Wait…you guys knew?”
Steph nodded, then made her way to Mandy, enveloping her in a brief hug. “He asked for my advice. I told him doing it tonight would be perfect. Gabe agreed.”
Mandy laughed and shook her head, completely overwhelmed by it all. “Well, congratulations. You all surprised the hell out of me. Thought this was supposed to be your day?”
“Oh, I couldn’t resist. It’s romantic, and I knew you wouldn’t be expecting it.” Steph waved a hand at her and hugged her again. “Congrats, you.”
Lauren announced her presence by wrapping her in a hug from behind. “I’m so happy for you.”
Mandy pulled back, swiped a hand across her damp cheek, and looked to Lauren. “I suppose you were in on this, too?”
“Nope. This was all Steph.” Lauren laughed, then turned to Marcus and nudged him with her hand. “Nice going.”
“Thanks.” He flashed a sheepish grin, cheeks still slightly pink, then tilted his head in Mandy’s direction. “Any chance of me getting my girl back?”
“Of course.” Steph flashed a warm smile.
Steph and Lauren hugged her again before everyone wandered off, leaving her and Marcus alone once again. The music resumed, and couples paired off around them. Marcus held out his hand. “How ’bout a dance, beautiful?”
She slipped her hand into his, letting him pull her close, then laid her head against his chest. “I love you, you know that?”
Marcus drew her the tiniest bit closer, until there wasn’t a hairbreadth of space between them, and ducked his head, resting his cheek against her temple. His voice was warm in her ear. “I love you, too.”
They danced in silence for a few moments before the urge to share became too strong to deny. He might as well know it all. “Marcus?”
“Mmm?”
“I should probably tell you now…I want kids.”
He chuckled and pressed a kiss into her hair. “Gram will be very pleased to hear that.”
She lifted her head, peering up at him. “And you?”
He brushed a soft kiss across her lips. “Me too.”