Page 70 of Bad Boy Done Wrong
“Why? Because I smiled after I said it?”
“I thought you were smirking.”
Josh shook his head and muttered, “You always think the worst.”
Hailey smiled and spoke through her teeth, “Not like you don’t give me good reason.”
Josh made a gallant bow. “Well, princess, you’re welcome. Always here to stand in for your single-lady needs.” He smirked. “That’ll be five hundred large.”
Hailey growled.
Josh laughed out loud.
“Cad,” Hailey muttered. She recovered quickly, turning and speaking loud enough to be heard over the din of conversation. “Come on, everybody! Gather close. I’d like to make a champagne toast.”
A few minutes later, all of their friends had gathered close and Carrie’s family too.
Hailey lifted her glass and announced, “A toast.”
Zach handed Carrie her champagne and then crossed to Hailey’s side, who immediately stepped back. He then shocked the hell out of Carrie when he made the toast instead. “This toast is to Carrie Young, a woman who’s so pure of heart. Beautiful inside and out.”
“Zach,” she whispered over the lump in her throat, “what’re you doing?”
“Toasting you,” he said, taking a sip of champagne and watching her over the rim.
She sipped too. Someone took the glass from her hand.
Zach gave her a tender smile and took them all in. “I’ve gotten to know Carrie’s parents, her brother and his beautiful family, as well as all the friends we’re both lucky to have in our lives. I’ve received her parents’ blessing for this union. Now there’s only one thing left to do for the culmination of the courtship ritual.”
Carrie’s knees went weak, her heart thundering in her ears as she suddenly realized what Zach was doing. It was why they had all gathered here, why Zach wouldn’t let her drink too much. Tradition.
He handed off his champagne glass to Hailey, went down on one knee, and held up a diamond solitaire ring. “Carrie, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Yes!” she cried, rushing to him.
He slid the ring on her finger and rose to his feet, pulling her into his arms. Their friends and family gathered close, congratulating them, and it was exactly as Zach had described. The culmination and full meaning of the courtship ritual. A long tradition continuing on with them. Extraordinary because neither of them had been looking for forever. Hadn’t believed it was possible. But it was wonderfully possible because they were meant to be.
A short while later, the photographer and reporter approached. “We’d love to feature your wedding in the magazine,” the woman said. “From engagement to wedding preparations to the wedding.”
Carrie turned to Hailey. “Did you plan all this?”
Hailey lifted her palms. “I planned the proposal with Zach, not the magazine’s interest in your wedding.”
The reporter added, “Of course, the magazine will pick up the expense of a first-class wedding.”
Carrie exchanged a look with Zach. “We’d love to!”
“And now we celebrate,” Zach said. “Have as much champagne as you want.” He handed her a glass.
She took a long swallow. “Really? As much as I want?”
“No,” Zach and her friends said in near unison.
“Carrie, you get crazy after two glasses,” Hailey said. “Last time you ended up picking up a stranger and getting engaged to the guy.” She looked thoughtful. “Hmm, maybe not such a bad plan. Maybe it would work again for another couple.”
And then music started playing, a romantic slow song. Hailey snatched the glass from Carrie’s hand.
Zach pulled Carrie into his arms. “Dancing is important to the courtship ritual.”
