Chasing Carly (Holiday Cove 3)

“I’m so glad everything worked out, Leash. You’re going to be a great mama. I still need to come out to Phoenix and meet Brian.”

Alesha nodded. Since her return home, she and Brian had made up and were back together and planning to move in together to raise the baby as a family once Alesha turned eighteen and finished high school. Our dad wasn’t a hundred percent thrilled over the plan, but from what Alesha had told me over a series of late night calls, Brian and she were stronger than ever and he was really stepping up to get his place ready for them to move in. I was happy for her and I knew Dad and Kelli would come around eventually.

“What about you and Nick?” she asked, sneaking a cookie from the sheet of extras I had at the ready off to the side of the espresso machine.

“We’re good,” I replied. “Really good. We’re going on our first vacation next month once things slow down a little around here. He’s keeping the plans a surprise, but I think he’s taking me to Hawaii.”

“Sweet!”

I nodded and brushed the condensation from the pitcher off onto my jean shorts. “It’s a big step, in a way, but I think we’re ready for it. As it is, we practically live together.”

Alesha wrapped a hand around her belly, holding the bump absentmindedly. “I’m happy for you, Carly. You deserve a good guy and I know that Nick is.”

“He’s amazing.”

She smiled and took a step toward me and we embraced. Things really had come full circle since the beginning of the summer. It hadn’t turned out at all the way I’d imagined, but the outcome was well worth it all.

“Come on, let’s go out there before all the good pieces of chicken are gone.”

BBQ wasn’t my forte, so I’d hired a caterer to come in and do the heavy lifting while I stuck to my specialties: drinks and desserts.

I tucked an arm around Alesha as we went outside and saw that everyone was lining up to get the first batch off the grill. I deposited Alesha in line and then went off in search of Nick. I searched around the patio and went up the beach a few feet but couldn’t see him—or my father—anywhere.

The smell of the sticky sweet food wafted over to me and my mouth watered. I went to grab a bite since I hadn’t eaten anything all day because I’d been too busy getting everything set up for the party.

“Where have you been?” I asked, craning around to look up at Nick as he settled behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

He buried his face against the skin on my neck and breathed deeply.

* * *

“Now, I cleared this with the happy couple—” he gestured at Jack and Holly who were both grinning, “—just to make sure I wasn’t stealing their thunder. But with their express permission, I do have a question I’d like to ask our lovely hostess.”

Everyone, even my dad was smiling at me like they knew something I didn’t and my heart fluttered. He wasn’t…? No…

“Carly, baby, come here,” he reached for me and took my hands, tugging me closer.

“Nick, what are you doing?” I whispered, glancing around the circle of our friends.

He grinned at me and pulled a small box out of the pocket of his jeans. I gawked at it, wondering how I’d missed it all afternoon before realizing he must have disappeared to go get it while I was refilling the drinks.

“Nick!” My hands flew up to cover my mouth and tears immediately filled my eyes.

“Carly Janell Roberts, I am head over heels in love with you. You are the missing piece of my heart and I don’t want to wait another minute to make you mine for the rest of my life. Will you marry me and make me the happiest man in the world?”

He dropped to a knee in the sand, popped the top on the small box, and revealed a vintage art deco ring featuring a glittering diamond surrounded by brilliant sapphires. “Please say yes.”

At first, all I could do was nod my consent. My throat was thick with emotion, like a ball of socks had lodged in there. I extended my hand and let him slide the ring on, my eyes unable to leave his as he placed the symbol of our forever on my hand.

“I love you, Carly.”

“I love you too,” I choked out.