“I love it,” she breathed, holding her hand up in the fading light. “Oh, Dec, it’s perfect!”
“You’re perfect,” I whispered, pulling her closer so I could kiss her again.
“So, are you going to wear the ringIbought?” Shannon asked against my lips.
I grinned, kissing her on the nose before holding my left hand out to her. “Ring me, babe,” I said, and she snorted with laughter before placing the ring on my finger. I was surprised at how well it fit and suspected she’d been making her own ring size calculations.
She pulled away reluctantly. “I guess we need to get in there. Kind of rude for the best man and maid of honor to miss the rehearsal dinner.”
I sighed and looked at the barn as the sound of happy chatter and music drifted out. “You’re right. Besides, I have the rest of my life to kiss you.”
“Better be more than just kissing, mister,” Shannon grumbled as she stood up.
“Oh, don’t you worry,” I said, brushing off my knees. “I’m going to drag you back up to the hay loft before this night ends.”
“Or we could just go to our bed,” she offered.
“Nah, what’s the fun in that?”
We joined hands and started for the barn again. I stopped walking abruptly.
“Maybe we shouldn’t say anything? I don’t want to steal Josh and Zoe’s thunder, you know?”
“You’re right.” She nodded, frowning a little. “It’ll be our secret until after their wedding.”
We walked into the barn and everyone turned to cheer for us.
“Sorry,” Shannon hollered over the noise, waving. “We hate to be late.”
“Someone check her hair for hay,” Fiona yelled. “Bet they were in the loft again.”
Everyone laughed and razzed us more as we found our seats next to Josh, Zoe, Fiona, and Eli.
The caterers quickly filled our glasses with champagne and Josh stood up to make a thank you toast celebrating his love for his wife-to-be and thanking his sisters for their support. By the time he reached the end of it, he had everyone misty-eyed.
“To family,” Josh said in closing.
Everyone murmured in agreement and the sound of clinking glasses filled the room until a shriek pierced the cocktail noises.
“What isthat?” Fiona asked, loudly enough to attract everyone’s attention.
She was pointing at Shannon’s finger with her mouth hanging open.
“Oh, uh, it’s… surprise?” Shannon stuttered, blushing and smiling as she clutched her left hand to her chest and covered it with her other hand.
I looked around the room and realized that everyone had gone silent while they waited for an explanation. I stood up slowly.
“I’m sorry for stealing the spotlight, that wasnotour intention, but I asked Shannon to marry me tonight. Actually, we asked each other.” I couldn’t stop the grin. “And we both said yes.” I lifted up my left hand, showing off the ring I was wearing.
The barn exploded in noise and before I knew what was happening, Josh had jumped out of his chair and pulled me into a bear hug. I could see Fiona and Zoe trapping Shannon in a three-way hug.
“Sorry, bro,” I said in a low voice when Josh pulled away.
“Why in the hell are you sorry?” He whooped. “You’ve always been my brother, now it’s going to be official!” He threw his arm over my shoulder. “Raise a glass, friends, and let’s toast to my little sister and my brother-to-be!”
Everyone at the main table paused the joyful hugging for long enough to clink glasses and drain the rest of the champagne.
“Hey, waiter,” Josh shouted with his hand cupped around his mouth. “Pour another round for everyone. We’ve got a lot to celebrate tonight!”
