Page 20 of Say You Will
I tipped my hand to Jake who reached under the counter and pulled out the little black velvet box. Rings tucked into my pocket, I headed for Ty and gave him a nod, got a smile in return. Ty wrapped up the current song and segued into the one I’d picked.
I tapped Seth on the shoulder, making eye contact with Ace. “Mind if I cut in?”
“Not at all,” Seth answered with a smirk. “Happy Birthday, Aaron.”
“Thank you,” Ace replied, already reaching for me. He welcomed me into the circle of his arms with a huge grin. “And thank you, babe. I still can’t believe you all managed to keep this a secret from me.”
“You’re very welcome, but I’ve got to tell you, there is one more surprise in store for you.”
Ace’s brow furrowed. “Good surprise or bad surprise?”
“Good, I hope.” As Ty crooned Train’s “Marry Me,” I slipped my hand into my pocket, withdrew the small box, and dropped to one knee.
“What are you—” Ace mumbled, words cutting off when he spied the jewelry box in my hand. “Dare?”
Ty’s singing trailed off, leaving him to simply accompany my proposal with the strum of pleasant chords. Everyone else faded from view, my whole world narrowed to him. My love.
“Ace, all I want to do is wake up every morning with you in my arms. Your home has become my home. We share our ideas, our dreams, our funny stories about crazy customers. You make me laugh and keep me from crying. I want to be your home that’s not a home. The one person you can come to about anything, the one who comforts you in times of sorrow, the one you seek for advice when you need it. I want to grow old with you, to watch our lives and those of our families unfold together. To dream together, and together make those dreams come true.”
I opened the velvet box, showed him the two rings nestled inside. “Ace, will you marry me? Say you will make one of my dreams come true?”
I’d never seen him cry, but tears tracked down his cheeks. His beautiful smile full, his eyes bright and wide. He tugged me to rise, placed his hands on either side of my face, pulled me forward, and kissed me.
“Yes. Yes. It’s my dream, too. Love you so much.” Hugged tightly until I could barely breathe, then kissed again and again. “Love you, love you, love you.”
Laughter bubbled from deep inside me; tears of joy slid free. My mother swooped in first and hugged me and kissed me, wiped the wetness from my cheeks as Momma Lark took away those from her son’s before they swapped to welcome their soon-to-be sons-in-law to their respective families.
Ty gave up playing and restarted the recorded music, celebratory party tunes blasting from the speakers. Jack and Melody, JJ in her arms, sashayed their way closer, bumping us at shoulder and hips as they congratulated us. Finn and Josey, and little Bunny, stomped in time to the music, showering us with hugs and well wishes. Jake and Terry each carried a tray of champagne flutes, passing them out as they made their way towards the microphone.
The music quieted and Jake called everyone’s attention to him. “Before we get this party started, I just want to say a few words. When Ace first brought Dare here, the first day they met, I knew. Stars in their eyes, and all.”
Chuckles from the crowd made him pause.
“Their first date was Opening Day, watching their favorite team—”
“Go Sox!” Papa Lark shouted, and another round of laughter rang through the group.
“Right. The Red Sox. Ace swears it was the chocolate porter that won Dare over. Dare swears it was the triple chocolate brownies. Either way, it was a match made in sweetness, so please raise your glasses and join me in toasting Ace and Dare. Sweet congratulations to you! Mazel tov!”
“Mazel tov!” resounded through the bar as everyone responded to the call.
Ace hauled me in front of him, an arm around my back, a hand on my neck. “The Sox are playing again tonight. An unexpected double-header. You wanna recreate our first date?”
I don’t think my answering grin could have gotten any bigger. No words were needed. Instead, I just kissed him.
Those with small children were the first to leave. Melody and Jack, with JJ practically snoozing over his shoulder, broke up Ace’s conversation with Brett and his college buddies to say goodbye. The huge grin on Ace’s face made my own appear.
“You did good, Darren,” Papa Lark said, grabbing my shoulder and squeezing it. “I’m happy to be getting you for a son-in-law.”
I turned and hugged him, hard. He thumped my back.
“Welcome to the family, D,” Jack added, having come over. We shook hands and did an awkward bro-hug as best we could with JJ still in his arms. Melody kissed my cheek, followed by Josey. Bunny gave me a big smooch, her little hands patting my cheeks.
“Luv you, Unca D.”
I rubbed our noses together. “Love you, Bunny girl. Time for you to hip hop to bed, huh?”
She wrinkled her nose. Definitely the cutest bunny ever. “Wanna dance.” The added pout intensified the adorableness.