Page 3 of The Deal Maker

Am I a number nerd? I’ll claim that title. Numbers are fairly predictable, unlike the rest of my life.

Then again, the people outside have their attention focused on something to the side of the store. Has Prince Harry, the llama, escaped again? That crazy animal stomped on our outdoor sign a week ago. His owner, King, was embarrassed and replaced the sign without us saying anything about it.

Just another reason why I love Willow Cove. People do things because it’s the right thing and not because they’re going to get sued. Not that life up north is a whole lot different, but I’ve heardof some ridiculous reasons people would sue each other. Usually because they’re owed money.

Then again, Duke Jacobson, the annoying guy from next door, has been giving us grief about where the sign is placed, saying that it’s technically in his area and we need to move it. Where it’s placed helps people to see it, since there are a couple of pillars that would block it if it was back too far.

One woman walks over and opens the door to our shop, holding an envelope. "Is Hope Stevens here?"

Hope looks confused. “That's me."

"I've got something for you." The woman hands Hope the envelope and smiles before heading back outside.

I hurry over to Hope, curious about what could be in there.

She undoes the back flap and pulls out a small card. The script is beautiful and flowy, and it takes a moment for my brain to recognize what's on there.

It’s all for you. Come outside.

“What does that mean?” This could go one of two ways. I’ve been into mystery shows lately, so I can picture a stalker saying something like that. But Hope doesn’t have a stalker and the card is written in such a way that it looks more romantic. No blood-red, jagged font, so that’s a plus.

Maybe Jason is surprising Hope with a vacation? But the lack of clues here is killing me.

It’s possible it’s not from Jason. What if Hope has an admirer in town? Maybe Denny at the fishing dock? He’s always got a lopsided grin and a starry-eyed expression when he sees my cousin around town.

"The group is still outside. I think they’re here for you," I say, trying to puzzle through the note. Maybe it’s some birthday surprise a week late?

Hope shrugs and walks around the ice cream counter, untying her apron. I reach out and take it from her and thenstand near the door, unable to curb the curiosity flowing through me.

She steps outside, holding the door for me, when music begins and the group dances. Grinning, the Bruno Mars song,Marry Me,plays through a large speaker as they all dance.

I scan the crowd, looking for anyone I know, until I spot Jason in the back, dancing his little heart out.

This is a proposal. For Hope.

My heart is ready to burst with excitement for my cousin, while trying to ward off the sadness that hits me at the thought of how I could’ve been married already. It’s almost been two years since my ex proposed to me, and close to a year since my planned wedding day. Memories of those times are now bittersweet.

The dancing continues, and the group parts as Jason walks over to Hope. I glance quickly at my beautiful cousin, who has tears in her eyes. These two are the perfect yin and yang.

Jason stands behind Hope, putting his hand over her eyes for a moment as several of the dancers stand in a line with umbrellas in their hands. They open then and turn around, black letters on white umbrellas that spell out Marry Me.

Did I just sigh at this? Who wouldn’t?

How long has Jason been planning this? I’m actually surprised that he didn’t let me in on the secret, or ask about helping him pick out rings, since Hope and I are so close. Maybe he was worried I would spill the beans, which he’d be right.

While Hope is focused on the lineup of dancers, Jason kneels on one knee behind her and pulls out a ring. I don’t hear what he says, but I watch Hope’s face once she turns around.

She puts her hands over her face and nods, her eyes filling with tears. Jason puts the ring on her finger and they seal it with a kiss. I feel like I’m watching the whole thing from a theater far away.

And then the bubble pops and I can hear the roar of the crowd as they cheer on the newly engaged couple.

Zander proposed to me at a nice restaurant. It was okay, but I guess the proposal was lacking. At the time, I was so excited to get engaged that I didn’t really notice the signs. Looking back, he just kind of pushed the ring over to me and said I would make a great Mrs. Martin. I cringe just thinking about it.

I wait long enough to give my cousin a hug before disappearing into the shop just as a bunch of our relatives surround us. The Stevens mob. That’s the great thing about my mom’s side of the family. They’re usually there for every event possible. But I’m going to have to get mad at Aunt Daphne for not warning me about this. Just a heads up to solidify my emotions are locked in a deep, dark vault within me.

My favorite cousin is getting married. I called it this morning. Well, I didn’t think the proposal would happen today, but I figured it was about time for the two of them to get hitched.

I walk back into the shop, mourning the death of the life I’d settled into with my cousin. Everything was going to change from here. I finish filling the few nearly empty bins, making sure everything is in order. It’s the only way I won’t break.

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