Page 42 of Faking It With My New Boss

“There's someone who has been working diligently to make this happen. This is all her vision. She's the one who told me things needed to change and I should try something different. The one who came up with an idea and developed it into something this breathtaking. All of the credit should go to her. Courtney Reynolds.”

I gasped, feeling my heart jump.

“Oh, my…” Vanessa started behind me, but everything else she might have said was lost. I was drawn into Bryan and what he was saying.

Around me, the party erupted in applause. Bryan and I met eyes and he held mine with an unwavering, unapologetic stare.

“But she is so much more than just an event planner. Courtney is the most incredible woman I have ever met. She came into my life like a storm and she has changed everything. Including my belief that love isn't real. Many of you might have heard that she and I were recently preparing to marry. Unfortunately for me, I made a huge mistake and it cost me our engagement.

But I hope I can get it back. It's because of Courtney that I followed my dreams and now she is my dream as well. I can't imagine life without her and I hope with everything I have in me that she feels the same way. Courtney, I love you. I'msorryI haven't always shown it and that I've put other things before you. If you let me, I will never do that again.”

Bryan got down off the stage and walked toward me. The crowd split in front of him, creating a path that led him right to me. I could barely breathe. I was vaguely aware of Vanessa stepping away from me as Bryan got closer. When he was within a couple of steps of me, he got down on one knee.

“The way I did this the first time wasn't right. It wasn't us. So, I'm going to try again. Courtney, will you marry me?”

I was ecstatic and overwhelmed. It was a message he and I understood and it meant everything. I nodded before I could get the words to come.

“Yes,” I finally said. “Yes, I will marry you.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Courtney

I could hardly believe what was happening. I’d heard the proposal. I’d answered it. But it still felt like a dream. At any second, I was going to wake up and I didn’t want to. I would sleep forever if it meant I could keep enjoying this moment with Bryan.

His face lit up. “Yes?”

Hearing his voice made me realize I hadn’t imagined it. He really had asked me to marry him, and I really had accepted. I nodded, grinning until my cheeks hurt.

“Yes,” I repeated.

Bryan jumped to his feet and wrapped his arms around me, scooping me up against him and spinning around. I couldn’t help but laugh. He had literally swept me off my feet.

When he set me back down, our mouths met in a passionate kiss. I’d never felt such happiness in my life.

It took several seconds for me to realize everybody around us was cheering and applauding. I buried my head in Bryan’s chest and laughed, but he tucked a finger under my chin to lift my face and kiss me again. Taking my hand, he turned me around to face the crowd of people at the gala.

“My future wife,” he said, gesturing toward me.

The applause got louder, and I felt tears sliding down my cheeks. Toward the back of the room, Vanessa screamed and cheered louder than everyone around her. She jumped up and down, clapping. I knew she was happy for me, but I couldn’t help but think she was also happy for herself and all the wedding preparations and festivities coming up. She was going to love every single second of it.

He pulled me toward him and wrapped his arms tightly around me, leaning down to bury his face in the curve of my neck. I giggled, embracing him in return.

“I love you,” he murmured.

“I love you, too,” I said.

He held me for a few more seconds, then let out a sigh.

“Everybody’s watching, aren’t they?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I said, nodding.

“So, I guess we can’t just slip away.”

“Not right now,” I said. “This is kind of your event.”

He sighed again and straightened up, interlocking our fingers between us.

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