Ifished a hand into my suit jacket, and pulled out the box I hoped would be thebeginning of the rest of my life. “Look, I know we haven’t known each other fora long time, but I knew I loved you within ten seconds of meeting you. I knew Ineeded you to make me whole again. I knew that my life depended on being theperson to make you laugh, to make you feel beautiful, and to make you feel likethe most important person that has ever walked the face of this goddamn planet,because that is exactly what you are to me. And Holly, if it takes me the restof my days to make you see that, then my time here will be well spent.”
Witha quivering shudder, she asked through tears, “Brandon, what are you doing?”
Ismiled, my own emotions chipping away at my composure. “I was told once that Ihad to go to Tiffany’s and check out their rings, so I did. Turns out, I likedthem so much that I had to buy one.” I placed the box in her hand. “I’m hopingyou’ll like it and want to wear it.”
Therewas an audible gasp from my mother—the first notion in five minutes that theroom belonged to anybody but the two of us. And yet, my eyes never left Hollyas she slowly fell apart in front of me. A hand shakily went to open the box,and at the moment her eyes fell upon the ring sitting before her, that handflew to her forehead as she sobbed with a laugh.
“Oh,my God,” she croaked, still laughing. “I’mfreakin’crying in front of Ben Affleck.”
“Bendoesn’t care,” I laughed, pulling the ring from the box, and noticed theshaking of my own hands. I held it up to her as I reached for her hand. “Holly,please marry me?”
Theroom was eerily silent apart from the sound of Holly’s shuddering breaths. Iwatched her expectantly as she focused on taking deep breaths in some attemptto pull herself together long enough to utter a response. As a few secondsturned into over a minute, I laughed, squeezing her hand. “Hey, don’t leave mehanging here,” I said quietly, smiling up at her.
Andas though I had broken a spell, she uttered an inaudible sound that I only knewto be a “yes” by the nodding of her head. The room was engulfed by a choir ofgasps as I willed my hands to be steady, sliding the ring onto her finger. Itwas only a little loose—an easy fix—and I gripped her hand in mine, sliding my thumbover what seemed to always belong there.
Ipulled myself onto unsteady legs to see the looks of satisfied excitement onthe faces of my parents and friends. There were tears streaming down mymother’s face, which wasn’t unexpected, but when I caught the dewy eyes of myfather, I had to look away at the risk of crying myself. I pulled Holly to herfeet, wrapping her in my arms as her legs wobbled, and I lowered my lips tohers. As she slung her arms around my neck, there was no fighting the tears andI let one slip, not caring that the cameras were immortalizing it for as longas it mattered to the press. I kissed her hard, holding her tight as though shemight run away again if I dared to let go, but I was on borrowed time and Iknew I had to cut the moment short.
Withone arm still wrapped around her waist and hers still around my neck, I pickedthe microphone up. Clearing my throat, I said, “Okay, party’s over. Thank youall for coming.” And as though they thought I was joking, the crowd laughed, finallygiven permission to make noise. Nick reached over to take the mic, giving ushis congratulations, and I knew it was only the first of many.
Ileaned down to her ear, in hopes that she would hear me over the ruckus. “Ilove you, Hollyfreakin’ Hughes.”
Shesighed tearfully, and smiled against my cheek. “I love you, Brandonfreakin’ Davis.”
AndI knew that to be the truth—the most important truth.
“Welcometo my world,” I whispered, kissing her earlobe softly. “It’s about to getreally crazy in here,” I said, pulling a cardkey out of my pocket and I slippedit into her hand. “That’s a key to the room upstairs if you need a minute.”
“Imight just take you up on that,” she said, standing on her toes to kiss me.“But first, can you introduce me to Ben Affleck?”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIX
HOLLY
If I had been toldsix months earlier that I would one day behooked on the Armani-clad arm of my fiancé in a room full of celebrities, Iwould have instructed you to check yourself into a psych ward.
Andyet, that’s exactly how I had spent that night after being proposed to. Itwasn’t much of a surprise to me that my social skills were lacking in the faceof actors and rock stars, but that was partially because I was too busymarveling at Brandon. Despite his constant need to run a hand over his tightlyponytailed hair, he never faltered in keeping the conversation moving, whetherhe was talking to his mother or a member of the press. It was obvious why hewas a public figure, and not just a guy hiding behind a desk writing stories.
Betweenbeing paraded around, drinking, struggling through star struck conversation,and eating some of the most lavish food I’ve ever eaten at a catered event, I finallyfound myself slumped in a seat at our table. Brandon continued to be a gracioushost as I peeled my heels from my feet and laid my head on my folded arms, likea real lady.
Hollyfreakin’ Hughes. Obvious trophy wife.
Wife.Holy crap.
Brandon’smother Carole placed a gentle hand on my arm. “Tired, honey?”
Ilooked up at her through bleary eyes, and it hit me suddenly that I was seeingmy future mother-in-law. My heart jumped with sudden realization, and my breathcaught momentarily in my throat. “Yeah, it’s been a long night,” I laughed,barely able to keep my eyes open, and she nodded sympathetically.
“Whydon’t you head up to bed?” she asked in a sweet motherly tone.
Glancingbehind me at Brandon, standing with a group of men in expensive suits anddrinks in hand, I turned back to her with reluctance. “But what about theparty? Wouldn’t it look bad if I left?”
Witha wave of her hand, she said, “You’ve done plenty already, sweetie. Besides, Ibet you have some people you want to call.” She gave me a knowing smile, and Ilaughed despite my exhaustion.
“Yeah,I should probably call my sister and tell her that, hey, not only am I notcoming home tonight, but surprise! I’m getting married.” I said the words forthe first time out loud. I glanced down at the ring on my hand, and grinned tomyself.
Carolesmiled along with me, and raised a hand, making a beckoning gesture. A fewmoments later, I breathed in the comforting scent of TobaccoVanille, and I felt the large warm hands on my shouldersand a familiar kiss on my cheek.
“How’sit going over here?” Brandon asked, sitting next to me.
