Page 126 of Beautiful Distraction

My dream is so close, I can almost taste it, and yet itfeels so far out of reach, it might as well be just that—

Only a dream.

“Ava, I love you,” Kellan says into the mic, his deep voicesteady, beautiful, penetrating every layer of my soul. “That day you damaged mycar, that’s the night I first wanted you. When I asked you to stay, I thoughtthat would be all I’d ever want. I thought what I felt for you would pass. ButI was wrong. I want you more than ever.I want you with me, by my side. I want to wake up next to you everymorning for the rest of my life. I asked our families to be here so they can witnessthe most important day of my life. It’s the day I want to tell you that Ibelong to you, and you would make me the happiest man alive if you becamemine.”

Pausing, he reaches inside his pocket to retrieve a blackvelvet box and opens it.

My heart throbs. Metaphorically drops. If I looked down, I’msure I would find it at my feet. The ring is so beautiful it takes my breathaway. I look up from the sparkling diamond to his eyes. They’re shimmering withemotion. Fear. Happiness. Anticipation.

This is his moment, our moment.

“Ava.” His voice is slightly choked now. “Will you marryme?”

I’m happy and overwhelmed. I clasp my hand in front of mymouth. My heart screams yes, but I’m having trouble pushing that sound out ofmy lungs. I just nod before I finally croak out, “God, yes. Yes. Yes.”

I keep repeating it. He’s all that matters in my life.

He is my life.

Kellan rises to his feet and slides the ring on my finger.His arms wrap around my waist, and then he kisses me. His lips are sweet andwarm, and feel like home. I don’t know what to say.

I’m touched.

I’m emotional.

People are cheering. Congratulations are raining down on us,but I’m too lost in Kellan’s eyes to hear them. I want to stay in his armsforever.

I won’t ever let him go.

Before I know it, he steps back and flashes me a grin. Themusic starts again.

City girl,

I’m only a cowboy

I know this will driveyou insane

But when I say I wantyou to stay

I mean it for real andfor life

City girl,

I’m only a cowboy

I know this will driveyou insane

But when I say I wantto marry you

I mean it for real andfor life

When I say I’ll marryyou

I mean it for real andfor life

When the song finishes, he receives a loud ovation, and thehugging begins—first Mandy, then my parents, then Kellan’s brothers, whoare huge and strong like Kellan, and from up close scare the crap out of me.

Seriously, I hope they won’t smother me.

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