Page 34 of Saving Stella
Jacob winked at Stella. “Oh yeah.”
“There you are.” Devon appeared behind Charley and placed an arm around her shoulders. “Come on.”
“Come on? Where are we …” She trailed off as Devon led her to the middle of the room.
Stella watched, excitement building in her. This was it. Devon was going to pop the question. It seemed like a dream seeing this moment, and to think she had almost missed it. In the past few days, she’d come to grow closer both to Charley and Devon, so being part of this felt so special.
“Good evening everyone.”
A hush fell over the entire room, and everyone turned their attention to Devon.
He continued. “First of all, thanks to everyone who made it here tonight, despite the change in venue. And thanks to our hosts, Zac and Astrid for letting us crash their place for the evening.” He nodded to the couple, who waved at them from the side. “I’m so glad you all could make it and that you were all able to meet my sister, Stella.”
Another blush crept over her cheeks as everyone raised their glasses toward her.
“Thank you for being so kind and gracious to her, and to me, especially to Mr. and Mrs. Forrest.” He gestured to Charley’s parents, Evie and Connor. “And finally … thanks for keeping this all a secret.”
“Secret?” Charley looked at him. “Keep what a secret?”
“I know I said this party was for Stella so she could meet everyone. And that’s partly true. After all, we can’t celebrate the fact that I have my sister here with me today without the person who made it happen.” Devon’s mouth spread into a wide grin. “I’m so grateful for you, Charley. If we never met, I wouldn’t have found Stella. I wouldn’t have found my family.” He smiled toward Stella, which sent a flood of warmth through her chest.
“Perhaps it was meant to be, seeing as you’re my True Mate, but regardless, words can’t express how much I love you and how thankful I am every day I have you. And soon we’re going to have our own family, so I thought we should make it official.”
Charley gasped. “What?”
Disentangling himself from her, Devon got down on one knee and produced a blue velvet box from his pocket. “So, Charley Tala Forrest, will you marry me?”
Charley sucked in a breath. “Yes. Of course!”
A cheer went up throughout the room as the happy couple kissed and embraced. Everyone quickly crowded around them to offer their congratulations. Stella hesitated, not sure if she should do the same but couldn’t really do anything since there were so many people around Devon and Charley.
“Go on, get in there,” Jacob urged. “You’re gonna be part of this family soon, so you better learn how to fight.”
“A part of this family?” That thought never even occurred to her. “I’m just … I’m no one.”
He grinned at her, then shook his head. “Nuh-uh, no take-backsies. As far as we’re all concerned, you’re already part of this family, seeing as Devon and Charley are True Mates. But, since you’re new, lemme help you out.” He gently placed a hand on her lower back and pushed her forward as he used his other hand to shove people out of his way.
The strangest sensation prickled at her neck, like someone was looking at her, which was silly because everyone was looking at her since Jacob was loudly telling people to move away.
“Coming through, coming through!” When they drew closer, he whistled at the woman embracing Charley. “Stop hoggin’ her, Lizzie.”
The redheaded woman released Charley and whirled around. “Oh, hey runt, didn’t see you there.”
Jacob blew out a breath. “I’m like, over a foot taller than you.”
“And I’m still your older sister, so, nyeh.” The redhead—Lizzie, who Stella now recalled was another of Charley’s cousins—stuck her tongue out at him, then turned to Stella. “Sorry you had to be left alone with him.”
“No worries. Congratulations, Charley,” she said as she hugged her future sister-in-law. “And good job, Devon. See, I told you she’d say yes.”
“You knew too?” Charley’s eyes widened.
“Yeah.” Devon drew her in a for a hug. “Thank you for coming.”
“Thank you for inviting me. I’m glad I could be here.” While she was elated for Devon and Charley, a small twinge plucked at her chest. Perhaps it had always been there, but the excitement of everything had made it easy to ignore. But it remained there, persistent, telling her that while she was happy, not everything was quite right.
Because she wasn’t here.
This was a moment they—she, Devon, and their sister—should have celebrated together.