Chapter 32
“I can’t believe you gave birth seven months ago.” Shelly reclined on Lauren’s bed. “Seriously, you look better than you did before you were pregnant.”
“Thanks.” Lauren examined herself in the mirror, running her hands down her off-the-shoulder black evening dress. Sequins covered the bodice. The front stopped below her knees, the back trailed behind. “I’ve been working out daily and haven’t had ice cream or peppermint mochas since February. You’re sure the dress is—”
“Perfect. Gretchen and I helped pick it out, remember? You’ll be the most beautiful woman on the red carpet. Possibly the only one not showing off your boobs or butt.”
“I’m okay with that.” Content with her appearance, she shifted her attention from the mirror to Shelly. “Tyler bought David an obscenely huge elephant. He’ll probably need to kiss it good night and will want you to make an elephant sound. He giggles every time Tyler does.”
Approaching her, Shelly eyed the diamond necklace on the counter. “Is that what he got you?”
“Yes.” She held it up. “Do you mind putting it on?”
Carefully fastening it, Shelly fingered Lauren’s earrings. “Wow, girlfriend. Matching earrings, too?”
“Yep. He went all out.”
“Has he kissed you yet?” Shelly asked.
“Not on the lips.” The weight of the necklace reminded her of the price. “On my cheek and forehead. Don’t be anxious for anything, right?”
“Not even for a ring?”
Lauren smiled. “Especially a ring.”
“Think he’ll propose tonight?” Shelly’s eyes widened.
“I’ll text you first if he does.” Lauren picked up her clutch from the bathroom counter.
“How are you not freaked out?” The anxiety rose in Shelly’s voice.
“He’s my best friend. Things can only get better, right?”
“That’s true.” Shelly followed her from the bathroom.
“Is Danny coming over?”
“In about an hour. I told him I’d make dinner. Do you have any leftovers?”
Lauren chuckled. “Manicotti. Garlic bread.” She headed toward the stairs. “You can handle making a salad?”
“Definitely. I did cook for him last week. That stew recipe you gave me. He loved it so much he took home all the leftovers.”
“I tell you, the way to a man’s heart—” Lauren paused at the sight of them on the couch, David in Tyler’s lap as he read to him.
“The cow grazing in the field says—”
“Ooooo,” David finished.
“Good boy.” Tyler patted his leg. “The sheep in the meadow says—”
“Ba ba!” David slapped the book as he bounced on Tyler’s knee.
“They are so stinkin’ cute,” Shelly whispered.
And they’re mine, Lauren thought, continuing down the stairs.
Tyler flipped the page. “The pig in the mud says—”
David giggled and raised his arms at the sight of Lauren.
Tyler lifted his eyes with a grin. He stood, walking toward her. “David, who’s that beautiful woman?”
“Mamamama,” David babbled.
Lauren took David into her arms. “How long have you been working on that?”
“A couple days. He’s pretty smart, like his mommy.” Tyler kissed her cheek.
“Oooo.” David pounded his hand on Lauren’s necklace.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it? That must be why Mommy’s so pretty.” Lauren kissed his lips. “Love you, David. Be good for Auntie Shelly, okay?”
David raised his arms to Shelly.
“C’mon, little guy.” Shelly placed David on her hip. “Let’s start that salad so we can watch Mommy and Tyler on the red carpet.”
“Bye, buddy.” Tyler grabbed his hand and kissed it when they walked by. “We’ll wave to you.” Facing Lauren, his grin increased as he sized her up.
“Everything okay?” She straightened, inspecting her dress.
“I’m feeling pretty insignificant next to you.” Running his hand down her arm, he gently lifted her left hand and kissed it. “You’re too good for me.”
“Well, I’m not sure about that.” She ran her right hand down his lapel. “You’ve always been handsome in a tux.”
She could feel his heart racing. He started to lean in.
“You like your jewelry?” He nodded toward the necklace and gently touched her earrings.
“I do. Definitely makes the dress.”
“There’s only one piece missing.” Still holding her hand, Tyler dropped to one knee.
It’s happening. Her pulse increased. Oh, Lord, it’s really happening.
“I love you, Lauren Riley.” He pulled a black box from his coat pocket. “It doesn’t matter if I win or lose tonight as long as I know you’ll be with me the rest of my life.” The two-carat diamond shone in the light. “Will you marry me?”
She bit her lip. “Yes.”
“Yes?”
Her smile widened. “Yes.”
Hand shaking, Tyler slipped the ring on her finger. Once he did, he covered her hand with kisses.
Pulling him to his feet, she gazed into his eyes. “It’s okay to kiss me on the lips now.”
Tyler closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers. “I’m afraid if I do, I won’t be able to stop.”
Lifting his chin, she moved in until their lips met. Peace and excitement filled her. God shaped him into the man he needed to be. Into the man she needed.
“Thank you,” Tyler whispered when they parted.
Lauren held up her hand, examining the diamond. “It’s gorgeous.”
Tyler sighed. “I’m glad you think so. They have a ‘no returns’ policy.”
She giggled. “You sure you want to do this before the red carpet?”
He smiled. “I did consider doing it from the stage while accepting my award, but I was afraid that would be testing God. Now it’s done.” He tugged her hand. “Let’s go tell the world.”
“Wait.” Lauren grabbed her phone and snapped a picture of the ring.
“Will you text me that?” Tyler opened the door.
“Sure.” She sent it to him and Shelly. “Okay. I’m ready.”
A scream came from the kitchen as they walked outside.
“She said yes!” Tyler shouted. The doors to the limo swung open. Her father, his parents, and sister hurried out to congratulate them.
“Did you know about this?” Lauren asked her father.
He nodded. “Tyler asked my permission on the way to the cabin in January. I told him nothing would make me happier.” Richard kissed her cheek. “I’m thrilled for you. And David.”
“Thanks, Dad. Me, too.”
Chatter and excitement filled the limo the entire way to the awards, but Tyler noticed Lauren sat quietly staring at her ring.
“You okay?” He slipped his arm around her when his parents started talking to her father.
Her eyes met his. They sparkled more than the diamond on her finger. “You proposed.”
“I did.” He kissed her cheek. “And you said yes.”
“I did.” A smile spread across her lips. “I love you, Tyler Stevens.”
“I love you, Angel.” He kissed her neck. Taking out his phone, he downloaded the photo she sent.
“What are you doing?”
“Telling the world. You don’t mind if I tag you, do you?”
“Not at all.”
Posting the picture to social media, Lauren peered over his shoulder as he typed his comment.
Already won.
#blessedbeyondbelief
#whoneedsagoldstatuewhenyouhavesuchabeautifulwoman
Lauren laughed, running her hand over the back of his hair. “Glad you feel that way.”
“I do. You mean more to me than any award.” When their lips met, excitement rushed through his body. He had never felt such gratitude.