Page 11 of Wedlocked

“What?” Madison exclaimed.

“No way,” Landry echoed.

“It wouldn’t be a family trip if the whole family wasn’t there,” Rory added.

“What if I pay for you?” Prism said from Arsen’s lap.

I glanced at my brother. “I can’t let you do that, Matty.” Especially since he and Arsen paid most of the utilities at the house.

Between Ben, Matty, and Arsen, I barely paid for a thing at home because they made it their mission to get there before me. Because of that, I was able to start saving for my wedding dress for when Ben and I got married someday. I figured I’d better start now since it might take a while.

I guess I could use that to help pay for my portion of the trip…No. It might suck now, but I’d be grateful later that I’d kept my little savings for our wedding.

“What if we make it your Christmas present?” Arsen suggested.

“What?” I said, turning my eyes to my newest brother.

Prism nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah. Consider it your Christmas present from me and Arsen.”

I bit into my lower lip. It was tempting. I mean, the gift of an entire week with my friends, making memories, was the best gift anyone could receive.

Finally, I shook my head. “It’s still too much.”

“Too much as an early Christmas gift from your brothers.” Kruger agreed. “But not too much as a wedding gift from your husband.”

“Uhhh…” Win started.

Kruger held up his hand. “Don’t even start,” he told the table. His voice was so serious that everyone shut up.

“Ben?” I questioned.

Reaching into my lap, he took my left hand and lifted it to stare at the gorgeous engagement rings he’d put there several months ago. They were beyond beautiful, the bow sparkling even in the dim lighting of the diner.

I could feel the eyes of every person at our table, the shift in the very air in the room. Ben rubbed a thumb over the rings, shifting his attention to me, the green and brown of his eyes making my stomach dip. A fine tremble started beneath my skin, a nervous energy as my body seemed to pick up on what was happening before my mind.

“Marry me.”

Someone nearby made a low sound, but I didn’t turn to look, held captive by his intent stare. By the request he made.

“I already said I’d marry you,” I answered, breathless, stomach swooping again.

“Now.”

“Now?” I echoed, not sure I understood. I was a smart girl, but this conversation filled my brain with thick sludge.

“Well, not now,now,” he lamented. “Next week. At White Pine Summit. We’ll spend an entire week with our friends. Good times, good eats… And then you’ll marry me. Right there in that place you call a castle.”

“The ultimate response to getting bro-zoned,” Jamie whispered, completely awed.

“How romantic.” Landry sighed.

“W-we can’t just get married,” I rebutted, heart thudding unevenly.

“Why not?” Ben demanded. “Do you want to marry me?”

“More than anything,” I whispered.

“It’s settled.” He nodded, decisive. “Winter break is now wedding week.” Ben glanced around the table. “You bros down?”

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