Page 52 of The Hero I Can't Resist
I look around at my brothers, but they’re all just smiling at me. Zach comes back into the kitchen, followed by his sister and brother-in-law. “Sky, Abby and Davis wanted to come too.” He holds his hands up. “But this is it. Promise.”
My kitchen is full, and my heart is about to explode. Abby and Davis both hug me and then find some seats that Zach has produced from somewhere. I ask Abby, “Where are Alexis and DJ? They could have come!”
Abby laughs. “Maybe next time. They would have wanted to bake with Aunt Sky instead of sitting to watch.”
My heart warms instantly. From the first time Zach took me to his sister’s house, she’s beenamazing and instantly started referring to me as Aunt Sky.
“We’re just missing your mom and dad and everyone would be here,” I tell Zach.
He nods. “Don’t worry. They’re watching from the cruise ship!”
With my hand to my heart, I suck in an emotional breath and look around at our family. I can’t believe they all came here tonight. They all know we’re starting a new segment for my channel, but I never dreamed we would get this kind of support. “I can’t tell you how much it means that you guys came tonight. I love that you’re here.” I look at Zach and poke my finger into his stomach. “This means you’re going to have to share the baked goods.”
He looks stricken and then shrugs. “I guess I can share for one night.” He claps his hands together. “Okay, it’s time to get started.”
I smile at our family as Zach and I take our places behind the counter. I look up at Zach. “You ready for this?”
He chuckles and rubs his hands together. “Yes, I’m ready. So ready.” He leans down and kisses me, and instead of just a peck on the lips, he kisses me untilI’m breathless and my brothers are all calling out, “Okay, okay, enough of that.”
I giggle as Zach pulls back. My brothers were hesitant when we first started dating, but Zach has completely won them over.
Zach hugs me to him. “Okay, okay, down to business.” He leans over the phone. “You ready?”
I wave a hand at my overheated face. “Yes, as ready as I’ll ever be.”
He winks at me and presses the button to record.
Zach holds my hand as we both look into the camera. I’m doing my best to concentrate, but it’s a little hard as our brothers and sisters are all staring at us with big smiles on their face. I focus on the camera. “Hey, Cookie Crew! Do we have a treat for you tonight! I love how excited you all are for this new segment for Sweet Temptations! This is our first ‘Baking with Zach’ segment, and we’re going to be making my personal favorite: fudgy ooey gooey brownies!”
Zach smacks his lips and rubs his tummy. “Yummy!”
I look up at him with a smile on my face. “You’re excited about this one, aren’t you?”
He has a twinkle in his eye. “More than you know.”
His voice has dropped, and it’s that tone he uses when he’s close, making me wild for him. I remind myself that I’m on camera and all five of my brothers are in the room. Clearing my throat, I nod to our family. “But before we get started, I wanted to tell you that we have some visitors tonight.”
I walk around and pick up the camera and then turn it on our family. “Look who’s here! My five brothers, my sister-in-law, and Zach’s sister and brother-in-law! We have a full house tonight.”
Zach pops in next to me with a frown on his face. “And she’s making me share the brownies with them.”
We both laugh, and Zach takes the camera from my hand, holding it up so he’s the focal point. “But first, there’s something I need to do.”
He hands the camera to my brother Logan, who turns it toward Zach and me. Zach goes down on one knee. I gasp, putting my hands up to my mouth.
He shakes his head, his gaze completely on me. He opens a ring box and holds it up to me, his voice shaky when he speaks. “Baby, the moment Iwatched the video Logan sent me of you where you were making s’mores, I knew in that moment I wanted you to be my wife. Skyler, you’re beautiful, you’re smart, you’re talented, and you’re a light to anyone that knows you. For three months, I wanted to ask you this, and I don’t want to wait one more day. I love you, Skyler, and every day I spend with you, I love you more. You make me happier than I’ve ever been, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
It amazes me that he’s nervous, but now I can see that’s what was off with him today. He has to know I’m going to say yes. “Yes, Zach, yes, I’ll marry you.”
He takes the ring out of the box and slides it on my finger. He stands up to his full height, lifting me into his arms, and swings me around. He holds me tightly, and I melt into his arms. We kiss, and even though I don’t want to, I pull away. “I love you, Zach.”
He rests his head against mine. “I love you too, baby.” He leans down to whisper in my ear, “We’re going to celebrate tonight.”
My whole body starts to tremble in anticipation. Reluctantly, he pulls back and points to our family. Miller comes forward first, and then everyone else does. Logan has stopped recording, and everyone in the room takes turns congratulating us. The whole time, Zach holds my hand as if he doesn’t want to let me go.
Zach kisses my head. “I’m going to grab some of your treats.” He pulls out the cupcakes we made this morning, cookies from last night, and then pitchers of sweet tea and lemonade. Abby helps him, and I get teary-eyed when brother and sister hug each other.
Zach is quick to return to my side. “Whatever you want, baby. We can still film the segment tonight.”
