Now Noli looks like a deer caught in the headlights. She flicks her gaze to me, and I offer her what I hope is a smile of assurance. This is her call. I give her a subtle nod. She blinks back at me before rounding on her sisters and flashing a big smile.
“Yep. Sure are.” She reaches out her hand for me, and I step to the side of the bed and grab it. She squeezes my fingers tightly, almost like she’s afraid if she lets go, she’ll lose me. Or herself.
“How did this happen?”
“When did this happen?”
“When were you going to tell us?”
“Where’s the ring?”
Poppy and Rose volley questions across the bed.
Noli holds up her free hand. “We weren’t going to make a big deal out of it. It’s your weekend. But I opened my big mouth last night in front of Nelson.”
Poppy and Rose go rigid. “Nelson?” they both say at once.
Noli nods. “We ran into him at the bar. That’s why we left early.”
“Are you okay?” Poppy asks, and Rose scans Noli’s body as if looking for injury.
“I’m fine. All good. I promise.” Noli’s voice drops a level. “Collin took care of me.”
I swear my chest puffs up more than it ever has at this quiet declaration.
Noli shoots Poppy an apologetic glance. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to ruin your bachelorette party with any mention of Nelson or of Collin’s and my engagement.”
“What are you apologizing for? I’m thrilled about this. Not about Nelson, obviously…the a-hole.” She scowls before shaking her head. “But about you and Collin. I couldn’t be happier. Like, tickled the pinkest of all the pinks!” She throws her arms around Noli, and Rose piles on in a giant sister hug.
“Congrats, man.” Mack crosses the room and shakes my hand, which I have to untangle from the web of sisterly limbs. Someone is crying. I think it’s Poppy.
When everyone regains their composure, I sit down on the bed next to Noli and take her hand again. It feels like the right move in the moment. The sisters’ pleased smirks confirm it.
“So…” Rose gets up on her knees and eyes the two of us. “Have you set a date?”
Noli glances at me. “We’re thinking something small before the election.”
She manages to keep her voice from rising in question, but I sense it anyway. I give her hand a squeeze. “Yep. Then we’ll throw a big party later on. Probably next year sometime.”
“But again, we don’t want to steal your thunder.” Noli reaches for Poppy and looks between her and Mack. “So if you want us to wait to do anything until you’ve tied the knot, I get it.”
“Not at all,” Poppy assures her. “The more weddings the merrier, that’s what I always say. Rosie”—she turns to Rose—“any suitors in your closet you’d like to dust off and try on for size?”
“Oh my gosh, Pops. No.” Rose rolls her eyes. “Get serious.”
“A girl can hope,” Poppy replies.
Mack comes up behind her and massages her shoulders. “Maybe we should give Noli and Collin a minute, and we can all reconvene over breakfast. I’m making pancakes.”
Poppy cheers as Rose scooches off the bed, not before she stops and places a smacking kiss on Noli’s cheek. “Our sweet little Magnolia, all grown up and getting married!”
Mack ushers Poppy and Rose out of the room, and I follow them to the door. Before Mack leaves, he turns and hits me with the full wattage of his grin.
“This is unexpected, but I couldn’t be happier for you.”
“Don’t get all sentimental on me, Bradley.”
“Too late. You’ll see what being an almost-married man does to a person, just you wait.” Mack winks and hurries after Poppy.
