AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Holly grinned up at him. “I’m glad that wasn’t the case with you.”
He returned her smile before leaning close, resting his mouth against her ear. “Have I fulfilled my dance quota for the evening yet or do you plan to torture me all night?”
“Please, do you really hate this so much?” she whispered back. “My body pressed up against yours, swaying to music. Knowing that later it’s just you, me, and Leo curled up on the bed watching another episode of Ice Road Truckers.”
“Now that’s hot.”
Declan turned his head and covered her mouth with his, a deep kiss that made Holly hum with delight.
Holly heard a throat clearing and broke the kiss with a laugh when she saw her dad and mom behind them, dancing a proper waltz.
“That’s my baby, Declan,” her dad warned.
Declan looked over his shoulder and shot her dad a sheepish expression. “Sorry, Chris, I tried to stop her, but she drags me down by my beard and tells me I’m irresistible.”
“Maybe you should shave, then.”
Holly smothered a laugh and her dad grinned, shooting her a wink. When she’d brought Declan home on Christmas Day, her dad had caught her on the porch to ask her about their relationship. She’d given him the PG version of how things had turned around for them, and when she finished, he’d nodded and informed her that he’d always liked Declan, walked back into the house, and proceeded to show her new boyfriend no mercy. The razzing had been non-stop for days and even Nick and Clark had gotten in on it.
The funniest part was Declan, who hadn’t been sure how to respond at first, firing back on all cylinders. She knew then that he was going to fit right in with her family.
“You’re sure we have to stay for the entire reception?” Declan asked, nodding his head to the side exit. “I doubt Merry and Clark will even notice if we slip out.”
“There is one last important event before they cut the cake and I can’t miss it. I’m sorry, babe.”
“I thought I’d give it one last shot, but I should have known I wouldn’t be able to get Holly Winters to skip out on a party.”
“Not while I’ve got boogying left in these dancing shoes,” she said, doing a little shake.
“God help me.”
Holly laughed, snuggling closer. Her grumpy, handsome artist slash handyman loved to put on a front, but she’d noticed him tapping his feet on the floor before she’d even asked him to dance.
The song ended and the DJ announced the bride would be tossing the bouquet. Holly leaned up to kiss Declan one more time and said, “You’re not going to take off running if I catch the bouquet, are you?”
Declan chuckled. “I guess you’ll have to grab it and see.”
“Holly, come on!” Delilah said, grabbing her hand and dragging Holly along with her as they headed out to the middle of the dance floor.
Merry stood at the front of the crowd of young women eagerly vying for the flowers.
Merry made a big show of tossing the bouquet, but when she held onto it instead, the entire group started murmuring, parting as Merry made her way through the crowd, past the last bachelorette and to the people lining the edge of the dance floor, stopping in front of Nick.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
Merry handed off the bouquet to him and Holly joined her, spinning him around by the shoulders.
Down on one knee in her bridesmaid dress was Noel, an open ring box in her hand.
“Nick, your sister graciously allowed me to steal a few minutes from her day because I wanted to do this with the flourish and romance you deserve, surrounded by your family and friends. I know this has been a long time coming and I love you for your patience, understanding, and acceptance of me and all my baggage. Thank you for waiting.” Tears streamed down her face as she pulled the ring out of the white cushion, her hands visibly shaking. “What do you say? Want to marry me?”
Without hesitation, Nick took Noel’s hands and lifted her up, his mouth covering hers in a passionate kiss, drawing a loud cheer from the entire reception. Holly’s eyes misted as Nick pulled back from his fiancée and shook his head, addressing his sisters. “I can’t believe you two were in on this.”
“Are you kidding?” Merry said. “I love watching these proposals on social media and was more than happy to be a part of yours today.” Merry hugged Noel and Nick. “I love you both.”
“We love you,” Noel said, wiping her eyes with a laugh.
Holly went in for her hug and whispered to her brother, “I’m so happy for you.”
