Page 118 of A Vine Mess
I knew what she meant without her elaborating, so I withdrew my right hand from my pants’ pocket, the velvet ring box clutched there, and held it out to her.
She gasped again when she opened it. “Liam…” she said, glancing up at me. “You did good, boy.”
“I had help.”
She grinned. “You were smart to go to them.”
I’d had an idea in mind ever since I got a bug up my ass about proposing—which, for the record, was quite literally the second we returned from our road trip. It had only taken me this long to work up the courage. And I knew I wasn’t buying a ring she was meant to wear forever without her sisters’ input.
I wasn’t even worried she’d say no, because I knew withouta doubt she loved me as much as I loved her. It was more…we were moving really fast, and I’d been terrified of what her family would say.
I’d worried needlessly. All seven of them were on board from the moment the words left my lips—yes, even Leon, who clapped me on the back heartily and welcomed me to the family.
“Take them,” Fanny said suddenly.
“What?”
“Take them,” she repeated, sweeping her arms out. “Take them all. Consider this my going out of business sale, and everything is free.”
“Fanny, you can’t—”
The only woman leveled a finger in my face. “Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do, boy. I love that girl like she’s my own, and as long as this business is still in my name, what I say goes. Since today is my last day as owner of Blossom’s, this seems like the perfect send off.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “She’s going to be pissed.”
“Oh, for a number of reasons, surely. But think of it this way: you two can start your lives together with an entirely fresh slate. It’ll be good problem solving practice for her,” Fanny added with a wink.
“Baptism by fire,” I grinned. “I like it.”
“You’re a good man, Liam. And she’s lucky to have you.”
“Nah,” I waved her off. “I’m the lucky one.”
“I better be invited to the wedding!” she said as she disappeared down the hall after a knock came at the back door.
A moment later, the cavalry arrived, Delia leading the charge. I shook my head; I should’ve known she wouldn’t be able to stayaway, even though I specifically requested all the sisters keep Ella occupied.
“How’d you get away from her?” I asked Delia as she led Logan, Cal, Owen, and Ezra in.
“Told her there was an emergency at the distillery that QB couldn’t handle by himself.”
“Whiskey,” Owen groaned. “Quit making me look bad in front of the boys.”
Delia merely shrugged. “Just reminding them who wears the pants in this relationship.”
We all glanced down at her legs, which were bare beneath the hem of her dress.
“Metaphorically speaking,” she added with an eye roll.
Fanny joined us, clapping her hands together and shouting, “Chop, chop! We haven’t got all day!”
Like being ordered around by a drill sergeant, we all hopped to attention, gathering arrangements in our hands and following Delia up the stairs.
Three hours later, the stage was set.
Ella’s apartment was small enough that there wasn’t really a free inch of flat surface to be found save the path from the doorway to where I stood in the center of the kitchen/living spaces. My hands were so clammy I couldn’t stop wiping them on my pants.
I’d briefly considered dressing up for the occasion, but I didn’t want to tip Ella off by having her also dress up, so Iopted for my typical uniform of jeans and a black cotton tee.
