Page 75 of Jingle Bell Jilt

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SHAY

Evan leadsme up to the rose and lily arch at the front of the Grand Ballroom. Oh. My. Heck. Is he going to propose? I’ve been dropping hints like crazy, but I thought he hadn’t noticed. Which is dumb, because he notices and remembers everything.

I wonder which ring he got me?

I know I shouldn’t feel grateful that Nathan blew off another wedding, but this backdrop is just so pretty, I can’t help it. I’ll send Sabrina a box of cupcakes to assuage my guilty conscience.

Evan drops down onto one knee and slips his hand inside his jacket. “Maryeshayne Taylor, I have loved you almost since the day I met you. You’ll make me the happiest man in the world if you’ll consent to be my wife.”

My free hand moves to my mouth as Evan slips the most beautiful emerald-cut sapphire ring I’ve ever seen onto my finger. He looks up at me and I start to cry like an idiot. I drop down to my knees so I can look him straight in the face. Putting both my hands on his cheeks, I nod. “I never knew what true love was until I met you. Nothing would make me prouder or happier than to be your wife.”

He runs a finger along my cheek and wipes away the tears.

It’s interesting. This is my second proposal, and I’m surprised at how different they feel. With Nathan, I was excited. I mean, we’d dated for two years. It felt like the next step. I was going to get my family and home. But I hadn’t shed a single tear. This isn’t to say people must cry when they get engaged.

But for me, it’s telling that right now I’m blubbering and look like a complete mess. With Evan’s proposal, I’m excited too. But it’s different. This isn’t just the next step. It’s the only step I want to take. I get to share my life with this man, and I can’t think of anything better. He’ll be the father of my children and we’ll grow old together.

This time I’m so full of joy that I literally cannot keep everything inside.

This time it’s right.

And this time there will be no jingle bell jilt.