I loved the idea. Seeing all of Caine’s good-looking friends in suits was absolutely mouthwatering. Rebecca was gorgeous in a simple baby blue dress. Coley looked exquisite in a scarlet gown that flowed to the floor. Kendall stood next to Matt wearing a simple black dress. Everyone looked amazing, and it was fun to see everyone so well dressed.
The house was astounding. Caine had gardeners arrive to hang white lights all over the backyard. Chinese lanterns were casting light throughout the entire yard. Caine had insisted on a caterer to provide all of the amazing food spread out amongst the tables. Light music played in the background, and the mood was one of love and friendship.
Caine never left my side as we greeted all of our friends. His hand possessively rested in the curve of my lower back, constantly reassuring me.
All of our guests had seemed to arrive, and Caine decided it was time to make our announcement.
“Can I have everyone’s attention?” Caine boomed. His powerful voice instantly took command of the room.
Caine pulled me close to his side. “Neely and I have thrown this party to announce to all of you that we are engaged to be married. I have asked this beautiful woman to be my wife,” Caine gushed.
The party became full of applause and congratulations. Coley came running up to us about to burst. “Oh my God! I’m so happy for the two of you!” she screamed with tears in her eyes.
Kendall and Matt walked up together; Matt had his hand possessively wrapped around Kendall. Matt shook Caine’s hand and pulled me into a friendly hug.
“Congratulations,” Matt offered.
Kendall smiled bright. “I’m so happy for you both.”
I was surprised to see that Kendall didn’t have a drink in her hand and apparently hadn’t been drinking all night. I looked at Kendall searching for answers. I still hadn’t spoken to her since hearing about her and Matt. She smiled warmly and just nodded. I had never seen her so content, so happy and so stable. She no longer looked like a lost little girl, covering her fears and insecurities with a party façade.
Caine and I spent the next hour accepting everyone’s congratulations until Caine excused himself. He pulled Coley into the next room, leaving me with the happy guests. Rebecca took this moment to pull me into her arms.
“You did it right this time. Know that this one is for good,” she encouraged.
I nodded. “I do. He brings out the best in me and makes me feel happier than I could imagine,” I replied.
“It’s obvious by the way he looks at you that he is deeply in love. You’re really lucky to have found that,” Rebecca commented.
Caine and Coley reentered the party. Coley was beaming from ear to ear. She looked as if she had been crying.
Caine walked up to me and kissed me lightly on the lips. He looked deep in my eyes and asked, “Are you happy, Neely?”
I nodded my reply. Caine enclosed his arms around me and held me tight for several moments. Our embrace was interrupted by Coley, Rebecca and Kendall coming up to us.
“Neely, can we speak to you for a moment?” Coley asked.
I looked at my friends puzzled and slightly concerned as to why they all needed to speak with me. I looked at Caine to see if it were all right to leave him.
“Go ahead. Girl talk,” he encouraged.
I kissed him one more time and followed the girls into what once was my room.
“Is everything all right?” I asked concerned.
Coley shut the door behind her and answered, “Better than all right. I have something I want to give you, and I wanted the girls here with me.” She paused, visibly fighting tears. “I want you to have this.”
She handed me a simple platinum ring made for a man. I looked at it a bit perplexed.
“It belonged to my father. I want you to give it to my brother when you marry,” Coley explained.
Tears filled my eyes as I looked into Coley’s watery green eyes, which were full of love.
“Oh, Coley, thank you!” I gushed. “This will mean so much to Caine, and it means so much to me that you would think of this.”
The moment was interrupted by a knock at the door. Kendall opened the door to Matt, Vance and another man I had just met tonight named Max. The gentlemen walked in and announced that everyone was ready. Matt hooked his arm in Kendall’s, Max did the same to Rebecca, and Vance followed suit by hooking his arm into Coley’s.
I stared at my friends confused. Matt walked over with Kendall in one arm and extended his other arm to me.
“It’s time for a wedding. May I?” Matt explained as I looped my arm around his.
“What…a wedding?” I stammered.
“Yes,” Coley answered softly.