Page 102 of Take Me
“Thank you, Harps.”Clearing my throat, I nod to my siblings.One at a time, they stand up alongside their partners.Hazel and Noah get up as well, along with some friends I dragged into this so we’d have enough bodies.
Erika watches, tilting her head in confusion.I start talking again, and her gaze swings to me.
“Some of you might have noticed those breathtakingly gorgeous, calligraphy placecards in front of your plate.If I could ask everyone in the audience to pick yours up and flip it so the inside is facing out, I’d be much obliged.”
My family gets into formation.Mom’s at the front of the line, with Peter and Lucy beside her.Harper comes next, turning her place card around to reveal a calligraphy letter.
Hers is anL, same as her mom has, with Zoe beside her holding aY.Cal has anOand Jake has aU,with Kaleb and Brooke coming next in the lineup with anMand anA.There’s some giggling and shuffling as Calliope and Parker trade places, bringing the words into focus.
Turning away from the chaos, I take in Erika’s face.I watch as she studies the flurry of hearts held up by every last guest.On each card, I’ve written “I love you, Erika,” but those aren’t the cards I most want her to see.
Her gaze swings back to my family as the message gets clearer.The bold, scripted letters form a question.
Will you marry me, Erika?
Her mouth hinges open as I speak into the mic.“For those of you who can’t read the message, I’ve just asked this beautiful woman to marry me.”I gesture to Noah and Hazel, who’ve switched spots by mistake.“Er, I guess technically, I just asked Ekria to marry me.But since I don’t know any Ekrias, and I happen to be madly in love with Erika Gentry, I’d like to pose my question to the beautiful blonde in the purple dress.”
I wade through the crowd, bringing me right to the edge of her chair.I drop to one knee and hold out the simple, rose gold band.“Erika Gentry—You’re my best friend in the world, and I can’t think of anyone else on this earth who brings me more joy or laughter.Will you please do me the honor of being my wife?”
“Yes,” she chokes out, extending her hand so I can slide on the ring.“I will absolutely marry you.”
The crowd starts to clap as I lean in and kiss her, brushing my lips over her earlobe.“Grandma’s diamond is yours, too.I thought we could learn about settings together, then pick what you want whenever you’re ready.Or fuck it, put the diamond in a necklace or the handle of a screwdriver.”
“Yes.”Sobbing, she throws her arms around me.“It’s so perfect, Mason.Everything about this is absolutely right.”
“Right?”I wince as my brothers take turns doling out congratulatory shoulder punches.I should probably get up off the floor.
My twin rushes over, pulling me up to my feet.“You did it!”Lucy squeezes me hard.“I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks.”
She lets go and grabs Erika next.“I know it was kinda unconventional,” Luce tells her.“But Mason and I started our first stage of life together.This felt right, starting our next phase together.”
“It’s perfect.”The simple gold band catches the light as Erika releases my sister.She looks up at me as her arms snare my waist.“I love you so much, Mason.”
Humming the opening bars of “Islands in the Stream,” I sway to the music meant just for us.“They’re playing our song, babe.”
“If you start singing, I’ll kill you.”
“At least I’m not wearing the boobs.”
She laughs as her lips brush my ear.“Should I bust out the chest hair toupee for the wedding?”
“Maybe save it for our honeymoon.”God, we’re getting married.
Married.
How did I get this lucky?
“Think we should elope?”I’m kidding, of course.“That way, no one can make mayhem at our wedding.”
“Come on, Mason.”She slides a hand to my cheek, stroking my cheek with her thumb.“You know as well as I do that the mayhem is the best part.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Epilogue
Erika
