Cafe lights shimmered above the friends and family gathered to celebrate Cherie and Zach’s engagement. The setting was just as magical as her mom had promised.
Heart bursting with love, Cherie grinned over at Zach as her parents swapped stories with his parents. She could hardly believe it’d been two months since he’d whisked her away to the mountains and popped the question.
“This could go on all night,” Zach murmured, sliding an arm around her waist.
“No kidding.” Her dad was quite the story teller. “Let’s leave them to it and go visit.”
“Is it almost time for the cupcakes I keep hearing about?” he asked, his deep voice making her think of all the things they could do with the frosting.
“Hmm huh.”
Even though they’d had an amazing dinner, catered from their favorite BBQ joint, Zach’s sweet tooth had been on overdrive lately.
Across the yard, one of Zach’s old rodeo buddy’s had drawn Monica into conversation. Dwight was at the top of Cherie’s list of men to introduce Monica to so she was extra excited that the raven haired cowboy had seen to it himself. And with zero prompting.
Mary was in the kitchen gathering the cupcakes, which was just like her sister. Always busy.
Jackie and Jackson were dancing on the patio while Garrett mixed drinks. She worked her way over and requested a mocktail. Garrett put on quite the show and even though they’d been adamant he was a guest, she got the feeling he liked being in his groove.
The icy drink was the perfect mix of sweet fruit and fizz.
Cherie glanced down at the gorgeous antique ring. It had so much history and love woven in threads of gold, between the diamonds.
Zach squeezed her waist and she knew she’d been caught staring again. He’d found her doing that often lately, mostly because life felt like a dream. Marrying the man she loved like crazy, entering that fun phase of adulthood where life hovered between established and the gold old days.
“You’re sure you don’t want to run away to Vegas?” he murmured.
“Do you want to face my mother’s wrath?”
He grimaced. “Nope.”
Cherie laughed softly. “While there’s nothing I want more than to marry you right this minute, it won’t kill us to wait another month or two.”
It wasn’t like they weren’t living together already. Briar house was done and on the market. He’d planted a large tree in between the homes, blocking the view to her bathroom window.
As the song ended, they made their way to the edge of the yard where three of Zach’s friends stood, each, with a beer in hand. Cherie tried to snag Jackie’s attention so introductions could be made but her friend was following Monica into the kitchen.
“You cost me fifty bucks,” the blond said. Patrick, that was his name. He sent Zach a teasing glare.
“How’s that?”
“Remember our bet? You’re getting hitched first.”
Zach’s chin tipped up. “Lucky me.”
The smile he sent down to Cherie was so warm, filled with love and happiness that she nearly melted on the spot.
“Wow.”
Cherie turned to see what Shane was looking at, jaw dropped.
The cupcakes came out of nowhere. For a moment, the world geared down and everything happened like slow mo in a movie.
A dozen confectionary projectiles hurtled through the air, spinning end over end, aimed directly at Cherie and Zach. The white frosting and sanding sugar sparkled beneath the cafe lights.
One hit Cherie in the chest, another smashed into her knee. A burst of adrenaline shot through her and she caught one before it could do further destruction. Their guests gasped and Jackie’s eyes were as wide as the plates they’d just eaten dinner off as she hit the ground.
As the world ticked back to its normal rotation, Cherie glanced over to see Zach wiping frosting and sugar from the front of his shirt.
Before Cherie could get her muscles to move, Zach stepped forward and helped Jackie up.
“I am so sorry,” Jackie said.
Cherie’s mom rushed over, thrusted a napkin at Cherie and turned to Jackie.
“Are you okay?” she and Zach ask at the same time.
“I’m–”
Her friend straightened and seemed to take stock, shaking one leg and then the other. Cherie watched her closely. Jackie had injured her knee during soccer her senior year and the last thing she needed was another injury or more surgery.
“I’m fine. Just embarrassed.”
“Don’t be,” Cherie said, squeezing in between her mom and Zach. “I’m just glad you didn’t hurt yourself.”
“But I ruined your engagement party,” she murmured.
“No, you didn’t.” Cherie scoffed. “A tray of downed cupcakes is not going to ruin our party. You getting hurt, that would ruin our good mood. How’s the knee?”
The guests went back to chatting, though they seemed to be keeping an eye on the commotion.
“What she said,” Zach agreed. She loved the way he guided Jackie over to a chair and relieved her of the silver tray the cupcakes had been arranged on. “Besides, we’ve got more cupcakes and no one really needs all that sugar.”
“Speak for yourself,” Jackie said and shot him an exasperated look. She had a sweet tooth that would rival any kid on Halloween.
“Here, I saved you one,” Cherie grinned down at her friend and handed over the rescued cupcake.
“I’m so sorry,” Jackie said again. Cherie waved a hand as if she was dusting away a problem.
“Seriously, honey, not a big deal.” Monica and Mary finished depositing their trays of cupcakes on a table and rushed over to back Cherie up. Her parents fell into formation and continued to make sure Jackie was okay.
Zach slid an arm around Cherie’s waist and she snuggled against his side.
It didn’t take long for the remaining cupcakes to be devoured. Shane had asked Mary to dance. Cherie found herself int Zach’s arms, swaying gently to a slow song. In the distance, thunder rolled and rumbled.
But it didn’t dampen their spirits. It’d been a perfect night, surrounded by all the people they loved most. And once again, he’d proven why he was the perfect man for her. Caring and quick on his feet.
She laid her head against his chest. “I love you.”
“Love you too, babe.”
From the corner of her eye, she saw Dwight coaxing Monica onto the dance floor and her heart melted a little. A sigh pressed her breasts against Zach’s chest.
“Everything okay?”
“I’m happy that Monica is letting herself be entertained again. That she’s not still hung up on Garrett.”
In fact, her friend seemed to be grinning like a love sick fool. And though Cherie tried not to worry, she couldn’t help herself because her friends deserved to find the same happiness she had with Zach.
“Don’t worry. He’s not leading her on,” Zach said, reading her mind.
She tipped her head back and stared up into his eyes. His thick lashes made her knees weak, as did the whiff of his cologne. “You know me too well.”
He nodded. “I do.”
She grinned. “That has a nice ring to it.”
“And I’d say it tomorrow if you’d let me take you to Vegas.”
Cherie was secretly delighted by his eagerness. When the cowboy put the horse in motion, he really went all out. But at the same time, she wanted to savor this period of her life. Where they were officially official, counting down the days to a wedding. And yet, he wasn’t wrong.
Running away with him held its appeal.
She pressed a kiss against the corner of his mouth. “I’ll think about it.”