by Ali Parker
Azira was there too, and so were a couple of other people from Hailey’s other various jobs. We’d even invited some of my clients to come along and celebrate with us. Vanessa’s parents and her brother were there, and everyone was getting along swimmingly.
The sparkling wine was probably helping.
Katie found me in the crowd and we perused the appetizer table. She helped herself to some bread and spinach dip and nudged me with her hip once we moved off to the side. “This party is pretty great. Hailey seems really happy. She’s glowing.”
“She is happy. And so am I. I keep pinching myself thinking none of this is real.”
My sister smiled. “Just wait until that little baby is born. Then it will feel real.”
I believed her. “I’m glad you were able to make it out here for this, Katie,” I said. “It means a lot to me and Hailey that you’re here.”
“I wouldn’t miss this! This is my future niece or nephew we’re talking about here.”
“I know. But I also know how hard it is for you to step away from work. So I’m grateful. How are things going at work by the way? I haven’t had a chance to ask you since your flight landed.”
Katie took a sip of her sparkling wine and I caught a smile.
I pointed at her smile. “What’s that about?”
She bit her bottom lip. “I think I met someone.”
“Oh yeah?” I waggled my eyebrows. “Is he a workaholic too?”
“No. The opposite actually. He isn’t working right now.”
I frowned. “And that’s a turn-on for you?”
My sister rolled her eyes at me. “It’s more complicated than that, Jack. He can’t work. He’s recovering from an injury.”
My protective-brother hackles were up. I sipped my wine. “What sort of injury?”
“He broke his collarbone.”
I swirled my wine around in my glass and arched an eyebrow. The last time I’d heard of someone breaking their collar bone it was a high school football injury or something stupid. “How’d he do that?”
Katie giggled. “Don’t get your panties in a bunch, little brother. He took a fall, that’s all. I’m being safe. He’s a good guy. Besides, I don’t know what this thing is with him. It’s probably nothing.”
“Then why are you blushing?”
“Am I?” she asked before sipping her wine and slipping away to join the ladies by the guestbook table.
I stared after her. Was that what Katie looked like when she was in love? All rosy and giggly like a schoolgirl?
Maybe.
I’d have to keep tabs on this mystery man. Katie was a special woman who deserved the world, and she’d been dealt a rough hand these last couple of years. I trusted her to make smart choices but some guys could weave their way around said smart choices. Katie had been looking for love for a long time. Hopefully she didn’t miss any red flags—like broken bones.
Hailey appeared by my right shoulder. “I think it’s time to pop that balloon.”
I followed her gaze to the black balloon in the middle of the room. Pink and blue streamers were attached to the bottom, along with gold sparkly ribbon.
“Are you ready to know if we’re having a boy or a girl?” she asked.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I breathed.
Hailey moved into the middle of the room to stand beside the balloon. Hannah stepped up and handed her a thin, sharp pin to poke the balloon. I joined her and called the attention of all our friends and family. Everyone fell into a quiet hush as they turned to face us.
Hailey addressed our friends. “I wanted to thank all of you for coming today, especially those of you who came from out of town. You are all so special to Jackson and me, and we’re thrilled to share this special moment with all of you.” She shook her hands out and laughed nervously. “I’m really freaking out right now. Sorry.”
Everyone chuckled in unison. I could feel the love in the room.
“You ready?” I asked.
Hailey poised the pin an inch from the balloon. “I’m ready. Are you?”
“I think so.”
Rhys’s voice carried across the room. “That’s what they all say, rookie!”
More laughter ensued.
Hailey and I locked eyes. She smiled at me and I knew I had never loved her more. Simultaneously, I knew I would somehow manage to love her more tomorrow. Every day with Hailey made our love fiercer.
I nodded. “Do it.”
Hailey’s grin stretched her cheeks. She jabbed the pin into the balloon. A loud pop shot through the room. A couple of people shrieked in surprise.
Tiny pieces of glittery blue confetti burst out of the balloon and rained down on us.
“Holy shit,” I breathed.
Hailey threw her arms in the air. I rushed to meet her and scooped her up off her feet. I laughed into her shoulder and she clung to me.
“We’re going to have a baby boy, Jackson,” she whispered in my ear. “A son! You’re going to have a son!” She pulled back and held my face in her hands so she could search my eyes. “Are you happy?”
“Happy?” I breathed. “I’ve never felt so happy. Are you happy?”
She nodded and tears filled her eyes. “This day couldn’t get any better.”
The words fell from her lips like a challenge.
Suddenly, I became aware of the little velvet box in my pocket.
“Are you sure?” I asked.
Hailey frowned.
I released her and took a step back. All eyes were still on us, but I paid them no mind. The only person I watched was Hailey. My Hailey.
I took a knee.
The crowd gasped. Katie squealed from somewhere behind me.
Hailey’s eyes looked like they were going to pop out of her skull. She covered her mouth with both hands and stared at me as I pulled the box out of my pocket and held it up. I didn’t open it.
“Hailey, I know I did this once before, and I did a terrible job. We weren’t ready. But now I know that we are. We’re ready for all of it. So I see no reason to wait.” I flipped the box open.
Hailey gasped.
That’s a good sign.
The ring sparkled and dazzled. It reflected light up on the ceiling and painted rainbow stripes on the walls.
“Hailey Marie Brown,” I said steadily, “will you marry me?”
The room vibrated with anticipation. It felt like everyone was holding their breath as they waited for Hailey’s answer.
She let her hands fall from her face, showing me a radiant white smile.
She joined me on her knees on the floor. “Yes, Jackson. Yes. I’ll marry you.’
Tears streamed down her cheeks. My hands shook as I plucked the ring from the box. She held out her left hand. I slid the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit. She trembled as she held it up to admire it and the room shook with cheers and applause.
Seconds later, we were swarmed by our friends. Hannah wanted a look at the ring. Katie shouldered her way in to steal a peek, too. Kim and Vanessa made their way to the front of the line and immediately started gushing over how beautiful it was.
I held Hailey’s eye as the crowd practically swallowed her up, and I nodded.
She nodded back and let the moment swallow her whole. I knew I’d have my time alone with her later today when everyone left. And I would savor it when I did.
Hailey slid into bed beside me and flicked out the light on her nightstand. She rolled up against me and rested her cheek on my bare chest. I picked up her hand and admired the ring that symbolized our love and our future together on her finger.
“Do you like it?”
“Like it?” she asked, lifting her cheek from my chest. “I love it. It’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen.”
“Good.”
She giggled softly and hooked her leg around mine. “I didn’t expect that today.”
“Me neither, to be honest. I was waiting for the right moment. And that felt like it.”
/> She stroked my jaw with the tips of her fingers. “I agree.”
I rubbed her shoulder and held her close as my eyes fell closed. “Can you believe we’re going to have a son?”
“I had a feeling,” she admitted. “Something in my gut told me it would be blue.”
“A mother’s intuition.”
“Must be because my intuition was shit before I got pregnant.”
I laughed. “I don’t think that’s true.”
She looked up at me. “Really? Because the very last thing I ever expected was for you to hook me up with you.” She propped herself up on an elbow. “Was that your plan all along, Jackson? To make me Mrs. Smithe?”
I kissed the tip of her nose. “You’ll never know.”
She settled back down and sighed contently. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
This had never been the plan. At least, it had never been the plan I had in my head of what my future would look like. I imagined I’d be single for a long time. I figured my work would be my relationship and I was okay with that. Hell, I wanted it.
But now?
I couldn’t imagine living a life where Hailey wasn’t mine and I wasn’t hers.
So yes, if anyone ever asked, I’d tell them it was my plan to hook Hailey up with me all along. And if anyone ever doubted me?
Well.
That didn’t matter. Because I had everything I needed right here in this bed.
The End
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About the Author
Ali Parker is a full-time contemporary and new adult romance writer with more than a hundred and twenty books behind her. She loves coffee, watching a great movie and hanging out with her hubs. By hanging out, she means making out. The man is hot. Hello.
She’s a creative at heart and loves coming up with more ideas than any one person should be allowed to access. She lives in Tennessee with her hubs, teenage son, two grown daughters and first grand baby (yes!). Telling a good story that revives hope, reminds us of love and gives a vacation from life is all she’s up to.
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Copyright © 2020 by Ali Parker
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
The novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and plot are all either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons – living or dead – is purely coincidental.
First Edition.
Editor: Eric Martinez
Cover Designer: Ryn Katryn Digital Art