Page 23 of Fake Christmas Date
The crowd shifts around us, as the song changes and people leave or enter the dance floor.
"You know, I don't really trust that story on its own," Dylan says with a saucy grin and a wink. "Would I be a jerk if I proposed to you again right now, to ensure the continuation of the legend?"
I can't pull in enough air. When he smiles like that, he’s so gorgeous that it scrambles my mind. Yet a flash of realization flows through me. His parents would be delighted, and the entire town would be as well. Not to mention, we’d be upholding a possible town legend.
There are so many signs that I would be a fool to ignore them. But the most important sign is what my gut says. It's screaming that Dylan and I belong together.
Not because I’ve been alone for so long, and I’m longing to have someone care for me. Because it feels deeply right. He is definitely the one. Even if I’m a bit prickly about being the center of attention, I get the sense that will only be temporary.
Stretching up, I give him a soft, gentle kiss before stepping back and dramatically arching an eyebrow. "Only one way to find out, isn’t there?"
I stare into Dylan’s deep, moss-green eyes, at his handsome, grinning face. His hand presses firmly in mine as he drops to one knee, making me melt.
A gasp runs through the crowd, from one person to the next. Everyone around us steps back several paces as Dylan kisses the back of my hand.
"Emma," he whispers so only I can hear, "I love you. I want to create a wonderful life with you. Will you do me the incredible honor of becoming my wife and allowing me to do my very best to make you happy and comfortable"…his left eyebrow twitches…"andsatisfied…every single day of our lives?"
I'm already nodding, blinking back tears of joy. "Yes. I love you, too. Yes."
Dylan leaps to his feet, scooping his arms around me and spinning several times. "She said yes!" he bellows to the ceiling, as the room erupts in deafening applause.
The next hour is a complete blur as countless people hug me, begging me to have the wedding here in Holly Valley, preferably at Christmas. Miriam and Mark are beside themselves as they press a glass of champagne into my hand, as are Josh and Sadie.
Nobody seems to care that my eyes are glassy with tears, or that my fingers are still twitching.
My head spins. I suddenly have a gorgeous man in my life who has gone from being a fake date to a real fiancé in less than a week. Plus, a brand-new family and circle of friends who already seem determined to do most of the wedding planning for us.
We dance for several more songs, then Dylan wraps his arms around me, kissing me in a way that is completely inappropriate in a room that contains his relatives.
"Easy," I whisper. "Manners, buddy.”
His lips drop to my ear. "I've been polite all night, with you gliding around in that beautiful dress,” he breathes. “All I can think about is hitching it up and taking you against a wall right now." He clutches me as a deep shudder runs down my spine. "Sorry, baby. Too much?"
I'm already grinning. "Not at all. But I think we should change venue."
He grabs my hand and heads for the coat room. I swear I hear him mutter, “Look out, everyone. I need to go claim my princess."
16
DYLAN
Icarry Emma back to the truck, and she kicks off her shoes, trading them for her boots.
Before I can pull out of the lot, she asks, "Hey – can we take a drive around to look at the Christmas lights again?”
"Of course."
I grin as she grabs my knee. "So…we'rereallyengaged?"
"Really really. When we're back in Kingsville, we'll start looking at ring designers and figure out what you want."
"Nothing flashy," she says hastily. "Just something plain and simple."
I turn onto a street where every single house and front yard is twinkling with lights. Reaching out, I stroke the back of her neck, playing with her hair. "Plain and simple. Like us, right?"
"Exactly." She laughs. "How on Earth are we going to behave ourselves when we get back to your parents’ house?"
"Who says we should behave?"
