Page 158 of Outspoken

I squeeze his shoulder, nudging him toward the back door. “You’re coming. We’ll go in together.”

He groans as I touch the sliding glass door handle and pull.

My entire world flips when I see who is waiting for me inside.

Maribel, Steve, and their kids are grouped together on one side of the kitchen. Rico, Becca, and their family are on the other. Johnny, Bob, and a few cousins are closer to the living room, along with Lupita. Then there’s Brody and Paige. I don’t question why Brody and Paige are here, because I can see why.

I stop breathing a moment, my pulse picking up and filling me with heat.

All the furniture in the living room has been moved, leaving space for a path of pink and white rose petals along with what must be fifty or so flameless candles scattered around. It leads from where I’m standing, through the kitchen, and ends in the living room near the front of the house. The petals open into a circle.

In the middle is mi corazón.

I’m transfixed by Amber. She’s the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. A flowing dark pink dress curves around her luscious body, the bottom reaching her knees. She’s in sexy matching heels and her hair is half up, half down—curled to perfection. She’s hiding something in her hands, pressing it against her stomach and biting her lip as she watches me. One of her knees is trembling.

I grab Angel’s arm. “Pinch me. I don’t think I’m awake.”

He does. It hurts.

“Ah, así no!”

He half-smiles while everyone laughs.

Rico steps forward, nudging me down the path of rose petals. “Fool, stop standing there. I’m ready to see this. We’ve got a camera recording, so you’ll have a memento when she changes her mind.”

I glance at Angel, who shrugs and then struggles with where to stand, shifting awkwardly in one direction, then the other. Daniel waves at him, but he sees the daggers Maribel is shooting with her eyes, so he glances down, inching toward a back wall.

I glance at Rico and then nod toward Angel so he understands what I want. Rico frowns, but he puts a hand on Angel’s shoulder, encouraging him to stand near his family. Angel looks uncomfortable and ready to bolt, but he stays.

It’s a start.

I move deeper into the house toward my love, smiling at Brody and Paige. “Hey, sis,” I say to Paige.

Brody gives me a funny look. “Sis?”

Paige pats his arm.

Everyone else in the room fades when I lock eyes with Amber and continue walking slowly over the rose petals toward her. I’m drawing out this moment as much as I can, savoring every heavenly second. I’m still not convinced this is real. It’s too perfect. More perfect than any of my dreams.

This moment will be etched in my memories for the rest of my life.

Amber has other plans besides waiting. She steps from the circle of rose petals to grab my wrist, yanking me forward to where I’m supposed to stand.

“Hey,” I protest. “I can take my time.”

She rolls her eyes at me and my heart melts.

I know mi amor has trouble being vulnerable, so her outward irritation is only a mask. She’s here in front of our close friends and family, doing one of the most vulnerable things a person can do.

And it’s all for me.

My heart’s really going to burst this time. I can feel the love overflowing between us, too much for either of us to hold alone.

I had thought I’d be doing this for her since I’m always the one chasing.

But I get chased? I get asked?

I never once imagined this happening. That’s why I won’t make it to the end of this with my dignity.

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