Page 89 of Sweet Passions at Bayside
Violet came outside carrying a tray of desserts. She took one look at Drake as she handed out the bowls and said, “Careful, boy. You’ll crack your jaw.”
“Hey, Harp!” Serena yelled. “Over here!”
Jett whistled. “I’d like toharpon her for a while.”
Dean glared at him.
All the girls got up to hug Harper, and Jett got in on the game, pushing between the women and embracing her.
“Jett Masters, at your service.” He pulled out a chair and said, “You can sit right here, pretty lady.”
“Put your tongue back in your mouth,” Serena said. “She’s here to talk business.”
“Who says I’m not talking business?” Jett arched a brow at Harper and said, “I’m especially good atriskybusiness.”
“I need to give you guys a lesson in pickup lines,” Violet said. “Don’t use them.”
Harper giggled.
Emery glanced in the bowl Violet set before her and gasped with delight. “Karamel Sutra!”
She looked at Desiree and in unison they said, “Who needs men when we have Ben?”
The girls all laughed, and the guys groaned.
“Come on, doll.” Dean handed her a spoon. “Let’s finish this who-needs-men nonsense, because I’m pretty sure you need me.”
She gave him a chaste kiss. “You know it.”
They all dug into their ice cream.
“I want that delicious core.” Emery stuck her spoon right into the middle of the bowl, and it clinked against something hard. “Hey, what the…?” She dug around and uncovered a clear plastic bubble, the type toys in gum ball machines came in. She picked it out and wiped it off with a napkin. Her eyes caught on a sparkling ring inside at the same time Dean sank to the ground on one knee. Her heart skidded.
“Dean? You’re not…?”
“I most definitely am,” he said with a serious expression.
There was a collective gasp from everyone except Violet, who was taking pictures, and obviously in on the plan. Emery was shaking as he took the plastic container from her.
She. Couldn’t. Breathe.
“Emery Andrews,” he said with a slightly shaky voice, which made her heart tumble even more. “Ever since the first day I set eyes on you, you have consumed me. And every day since, you have filled me with happiness, frustration,horniness, and so much love. I’m not sure how I can ever love you more than I do right this second. But I know that in the next second, and the next, and for years to come, my love will continue to grow. Because you aremy perfect. You are smart and beautiful. You’re fun and inspiring. You make me think and feel andhope…”
He opened the plastic bubble with shaky hands, which made her heart swell even more. He put his large fingers into the little bubble and withdrew the most gorgeous ring she’d ever seen. Tears sprang from her eyes as she took in the adoring look in Dean’s eyes, and the beautiful ring he held in his palm. There must have been a dozen intricately designed yellow- and rose-gold leaves, intertwined with three thin gold vines. In that ring, she sawlife. It was perfectly Dean, simple and elegant, strong and bound in nature. And she couldn’t love it more.
He took her hand in his and said, “My beautiful doll, will you do me the honor of allowing me to love, honor, cherish, and ravish you for the rest of our lives? To father your children and grow your lemons? To be your yoga partner and learn to meditate beside you on the patio we built together overlooking the bay? Sweetheart, will you marry me and let me spend the rest of my life trying to find your inner bliss?”
Tears slid down her cheeks as she nodded vehemently. “Yes. Of course, yes!” She launched herself into his arms and he tumbled to the ground, both of them laughing and kissing as everyone cheered.
“I love you so much,” she said between kisses. “I can’t believe you love me, but I’m so glad you do!”
He smiled and kissed her again. “Don’t you ever doubt it, baby. I am yours, and you are mine.”
“Forever,” she said through her tears. “I was never like those little girls who dreamed of white weddings and forevers. And now I can’t imagine not having forever with you.”
“Aw,” Desiree and Serena said in unison as Dean lifted Emery onto his lap, his strong arms and broad chest cradling her against him.
“You’ve been my forever since the day I first saw you. Now,” he said proudly, “for your ring.”
