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"Come on. It's time. I can't wait another minute to let the world—well, a few who think it revolves around them—know you're mine."
My heart was beating like a clock out of sync from a surge of adrenaline, while he tugged me gently behind him. I felt like a nervous high school girl entering her prom all over again. A feeling that was in direct opposition to how confident and relaxed Sawyer appeared with what he was about to do.
Nodding in the direction of his father, I saw Ronald pick up a large serving spoon from the buffet from inside the dining room, walk to a standing table in the great room and bang it on it. Within seconds every person in the room fell silent.
"Once again, it is the pleasure of my beautiful wife, Harriett, and I to welcome you into our home as we see out another old year and make ready to bring in the new," he bellowed. A small, polite ripple of applause erupted around the room. "As we near midnight, I believe our son, Sawyer, has some news he'd like to share with you all before we gather together in the entertainment tent for the traditional count down to the Ball Drop, in Times Square."
"Don't tell us, he's got a recording contract," James mumbled loud enough for us to hear and lifted a beer to his lips.
"Not this time, brother, this is worth a hundred of those," Sawyer threw back without malice. Having stepped near his father, Sawyer left me standing a few feet away from him. When he realized I wasn't at his side, he turned and waved his hand for me to join him again. Oh, dear goodness, what the heck am I doing?
My stomach was in turmoil, but I sucked a deep breath and nervously followed his lead until his arm encircled my waist.
"You've all met my girl, Billie, I take it?" he asked but didn't wait for them to reply. Clearing his throat, he smiled down at me and winked, before readdressing the room full of people.
"You'll have to excuse me because I've never done this before." he smiled. "A few days ago, I asked Billie to be my wife, and I'm excited to tell you all that she said yes. So, if you wouldn't mind, ladies and gentlemen, get out your cell phones and record this for posterity because I know you all never thought you'd hear these words pass my lips." After a few loud chuckles, I saw his sisters doing what Sawyer had suggested. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I proudly and formally introduce my fiancée and bride-to-be: Billie Collier, soon to be Mrs. Billie Wild."
The cheers in the room were deafening as Sawyer took my mouth in a kiss so full of emotion it brought tears to my eyes. Breaking the kiss, Tammy stepped forward, dabbing her eyes with a tissue and whispered in my ear. "The ring looks perfect on you. I'm so glad Mom gave it to Sawyer." I let out a sigh of relief and realized I'd forgotten to breathe.
Guilt reddened my face. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't …"
"I know. Don't worry," she replied, interpreting the words I hadn't said.
"It's stunning and too much, and I don't want to separate it from this set," I replied, touching the necklace again.
"Nor should you. They go together, and they're my parents' engagement present to you." I swear my jaw almost hit the floor.
"I can't …"
"Shh, Charlotte's on her way over. This should be good. You think I have time to grab some popcorn from the pantry?" I snorted, my mind going from the sublime to the ridiculous, and then to Charlotte in a matter of seconds.
"I love you already," I told Tammy, still reeling from how amazing Sawyer's family was. In the space of a few days, I had gone from a small, fractured family of my own to feeling part of something incredible in theirs. James was the only person who prevented how I felt from being perfect.
"Congratulations," a low voice like Sawyer's murmured in my ear. I turned to find the man in my thoughts standing beside me. Looking immaculately dressed, smelling of an alluring cologne and smiling a smile that was all too like the one I loved on Sawyer's face; it was his brother, James.
"Thank you," I said politely if a little flat. He had wronged Sawyer, but I wasn't prepared to be rude when he wished us well.
"I'm happy for him," he added, and ran a hand nervously through his hair.
"Thank you," I repeated, my curious eyes darting between him and where Sawyer stood. It wasn't hard to see Charlotte had gotten up in his face, and I wondered what she was saying. For a moment I considered that Sawyer should shut her down and walk away, but he didn't. Then I figured he was his usual calm self and the best he should do was let her rant with no effect, which was exactly what I saw.
"I know you don't know me, but I am devastated at what I did to Saw," he said, sounding genuinely apologetic. I felt my chest tighten that he had the gall to speak to me this way.
"Yet, here you are … you and Charlotte, together, rubbing salt into the wound."
"Yep, it appears we are," he agreed. I was surprised; I'd expected silence or a protestation of innocence, perhaps.
"Aren't you going to stop that?" I asked, nodding toward them.
"Nope. It's a good reminder to Sawyer why he's not with her. Aren't you?"
"No … for the same reason I suppose. What made you do that to him? No, don't tell me, I don't want to know. You did me a favor because what I feel for your brother is the kind of love that makes me forget all the bad things that have gone down in my life. So nothing you two did matters now because we're together."
"Then I envy you."
"Good. Then consider that as part of your punishment for turning on your brother."
"Ouch. Noted."
