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My heart stops when I see his face. He pushes me back so he can stand only to drop down on one knee. My eyes go wide, and I look around like everyone must be crazy. “No, no, no,” I say.
Mack just smiles up at me. “Thea Marie,” he starts, grabbing my hand.
I lower my voice down so only he can hear. “What the fuck are you doing?”
He clears his throat, starting again. “Thea Marie, it’s always been you.”
“Are you crazy?” I ask, but it deters him in no way.
He smiles up at me. “Are you going to let me finish?”
“No,” I say too quickly. “We’ve been on like one real date if that. This is insane.”
He bites his bottom lip, smiling even bigger. “You’re a constant pain in my ass, a fucking thorn in my side, you annoy me more than anything else in the world.”
I give up trying to fight him, my eyes already filling with tears that I try to blink away. Everyone has gathered in closer, cheesing like a bunch of dumb idiots. I squeeze my mouth together, trying to allow myself to let go, trying to let down my guard.
“Declan and Trevor are my brothers. I love them to death, but you’re my best friend. You’re the one I want to tell about my day when I come home. I love you, so I’ll wait if you want to say no. But I don’t need any more time.” He takes a deep breath, digging into his pocket and pulling out a little jewelry box. “Will you marry me?”
Amanda and Addison both squeal, but my eyes don’t leave Mack’s. My heart is beating a million miles an hour. I can feel the panic rising like it always does. I search his face for answers. He gives my hand a gentle squeeze, and somehow that motion gives me more clarity than any words he could ever say. A peace washes over me that I’ve never felt with any previous relationships. He’s my safety. He’s my comfort. My provider. My partner. My heart.
“Yes.”
“Yes?” he asks like he didn’t hear me right the first time.
I laugh, tears already falling down my face. “Yes!”
“Fuck yes!” he yells, jumping to his feet. He lifts me in his arms, spinning me around and slamming his mouth to mine.
By the time my feet reach the ground, everyone is smooshing us together in a group hug. The girls are immediately asking me questions about the wedding as if I didn’t just get engaged three seconds ago. I laugh as the questions go a mile a minute, drowning out the men.
Mack pulls me back against him, wrapping his arms around me from behind. “You ladies will get your time. This woman is mine right now.”
“Boo!” they both complain in unison.
I smile up at him over my shoulder, and he spins me around, grabbing my hand and sliding the ring on. I hadn’t even taken the time to look at it yet. I got so caught up that I almost forgot about it. Of course, the girls all bend in close to see.
“When did you get this?” I ask him.
He plays coy. “I’ve had it for a bit.”
Addison wiggles her fingers in front of me. “Does it feel weird? I’m still getting used to it.”
I open my eyes wide, remembering this party was to celebrate Addy and Declan’s engagement. “Oh my God,” I say. “This is your party.”
She laughs, waving me off. “You guys are too considerate. Mack already asked permission to ask you. Besides,” she says, giving my hand a comforting squeeze. “There’s no upstaging between us. I couldn’t have asked for a better engagement gift than a new sister.”
It’s like we all break down simultaneously. I’m sobbing. Addy’s sobbing. Amanda’s sobbing.
The guys know better and give us some space as we hug it out until all our faces are blotchy. Mack offers us all a drink since the guys are already celebrating with beers even though it’s still morning.
“Cheers,” I say, clinking my bottle against his before he leans down to kiss me again.
Trevor cringes. “Could you guys give me a warning or something? This is still weird.”
Mack pushes Trevor back by his face. “I’m going to kiss my future wife now,” he says before pressing his lips up against mine again.
“I like the sound of that,” I say in between kisses.
