Page 43 of Empty Net

I grab her elbow, tugging her back through the crowd to where I last saw her parents scheming, but they aren’t there.

“Where are you taking me?” she asks as I redirect us, keeping my eyes peeled for her parents.

“Where did your mom and dad go?”

“What? I don’t know. I wasn’t keeping track of them. I was working very hard to pretend they weren’t even here, which Isuppose is a little ridiculous since this is their party, but can I really be blamed?”

“This way,” I tell her, dragging her to the right.

There, through the crowd of pretentious assholes, are her parents. All their friends have gathered around them—good; I’m glad they’ll be here to witness it. Then they won’t be able to deny it later.

I stop when I’m at the edge of the little circle they’ve formed and clear my throat. All eyes snap my way.

“Oh, Arthur! There you are. We were just talking about you.”

I’m sure you fucking were.

“Lilah and I have an announcement to make.”

“We do?” the woman at my side asks, her eyes wide as she stares up at me. “Fox, what are you…”

I wrap my arm around her, grinning down at her. “Now, sugar, don’t be shy. I know we talked about waiting, but I couldn’t any longer.”

“Couldn’t wait…” she mumbles, her eyes falling to slits.

Trust me, mine say back to her.

She briefly worries her bottom lip between her teeth before giving me the subtlest nod.

“Nope.” I turn to her parents. “Mr. and Mrs. Maddison, I know this might come as a surprise. It might be a little sudden, but I love your daughter. I love how smart she is, her work ethic, and how strong she is. My mama always told me if I love something so much I can’t live without it, I should make sure I never let it go. So, that’s what I’m going to do. I’ve asked Lilah for her hand in marriage, and she’s accepted.”

Her mother’s knuckles turn white against her wineglass. She grips it so tightly I fear it’s seconds away from breaking.

“Lilah…” she says tightly. “Is this…is this true?”

I squeeze Lilah’s hip, hoping she understands what I’m doing.

“It’s true, Mother,” she says, laying her hand on my chest. “It happened on New Year’s Eve, under the stars. Isn’t that so romantic?”

“That is…” Selene glances around at the people looking at her expectantly. When she realizes she’s being watched so closely, she breaks into a smile thatalmostlooks genuine. “That issoromantic. I’m so happy for you two!”

Then she’s throwing her arms around my neck and tugging me down, and I let her because we’re winning. Lilah and I are triumphing in this battle of wills right now, and I love watching Selene and Deacon’s plans crumble right before their eyes.

She moves on to her daughter, hugging her tightly, and then Deacon steps up. He clasps his hand in mine.

Weak shake.

“I’d have liked to know about this beforehand,” he says quietly.

Weak shake.

“I understand, sir, and I’m sorry about that, but I’m not sorry for loving your daughter.”

Evenhecan’t help but smile at that.

They step back, and Deacon throws his hands up in the air.

“I just got the best birthday present ever—my little girl is getting married!” he yells.

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