Page 17 of Marry Me Tomorrow
Trent
It shouldn’t, I know, but thinking of marrying Jenny sends a shiver of excitement through me, a spark lighting somewhere deep inside.
Sitting across from her in my office discussing the details of our marriage has my heart beating hard in my chest, a reminder of how real this moment is.
Jenny looks up at me, her eyes shining with something I can’t read. The warmth of her presence draws me closer.
“How about we go on a date tonight?” I ask, my voice steady though my pulse races. “We need to start acting like a couple.”
“That sounds good,” she says. “People need to start seeing us together.” Her smile is soft and genuine, like sunlight breaking through clouds after a storm, and relief suddenly floods me.
I can’t hold back—I stand and scoop her up in a big hug. The feel of her laughter against my chest, light and musical, makes me want to marry her tomorrow.
“So,” Holly’s teasing voice cuts through the air, “we’re giving teddy-bear hugs now?” She startles us both as she walks in with Greg.
How had I missed the sound of them coming in? Setting Jenny down gently, I turn to face them, Jenny’s warmth still lingering in my arms.
“So it’s true?” Greg says. “You two are engaged.”
Jenny and I glance at each other, an unspoken agreement passing between us before we nod in sync. “As true as a fish loving water,” I say, grinning despite the nerves crawling up my spine.
“I knew there was a reason Jenny was supposed to work here,” Holly squeals.
“Why didn’t you tell us you all were dating?” Greg asks.
“Oh, leave them be!” Holly says, swatting Greg’s arm. “It’s none of our business, and it doesn’t matter. Obviously they’re head over heels for each other.” She gestures toward us, then looks back at Greg. “Right, babe?”
Greg nods sheepishly. “Yeah, they look great together.”
“Oh my gosh!” Holly squeals. “I’m so excited!” She throws her arms around me in a quick hug before abandoning me to pull Jenny into an embrace. “Oh, this night just got so much better! I can’t wait to celebrate! Let’s have a little engagement party tonight.”
“You two up for that?” asks Greg, his tone easygoing.
“Well,” I say, “we were planning a date—”
“Sure!” Jenny says quickly, her enthusiasm bubbling over. “I think it would be so much fun to hang out.”
Holly and Greg exchange glances, their expressions shifting between confusion and amusement.
I smile, giving in. “Whatever the fiancée wants is what happens.”
“I love that word, fiancée!” Holly says. “Do you have a baker for the wedding? Please let me do it! It will be my gift to you. I’m just so excited.” Holly’s words spill out so fast no one has a chance to respond. Finally, Holly turns to Greg. “Do Gwen and Niall know Jenny and Trent are engaged yet? They're coming out with us tonight, right? Text and make sure. No, I’ll do it.” She is already pulling out her phone, her fingers flying over the screen.
“Well,” Greg says, “I guess congrats are in order, man.” Greg reaches over, pulling me into a quick hug and clapping me firmly on the back. “And welcome to the family, Jenny,” he adds warmly.
“Thank you!” Jenny says, “You all have been so wonderful since I came back into town, and so welcoming. I don’t know why I ever left, to be honest,” Jenny says, her voice filled with warmth and sincerity.
“I heard you lived here,” Greg says. “But I wasn’t sure when. Did you live here long?”
“Middle school and high school, then I left for college in Georgia,” Jenny replies, her tone soft, as if lost in the memory.
“We probably went to school together,” says Holly, her head tilting thoughtfully.
“Only my freshman year,” Jenny says, “I was three years behind you all in school. But I do remember watching the football games and seeing Trent and Greg play.” Jenny’s cheeks flush pink as our eyes meet.
“Well,” I say, puffing out my chest, “we were a pretty big deal back then, weren’t we, Greg?”
“Sure were,” Greg says, a nostalgic grin spreading across his face. “Those were the days, for sure.”
