Mom was shaking so uncontrollably that he almost couldn’t get the ring on her finger. He managed and they started kissing again.
I hugged Rayne tighter. I closed my eyes, took in a deep breath, and then let her go. “I’ll be right back.”
I walked over to my parents and embraced them both. The band looked like they were about to start back up but I motioned for them not to.
“I’d like to add something,” I said. “As the only child of these two wonderful people here, I must say that I couldn’t have asked for more loving and supportive parents. They’ve nurtured me and guided me throughout my life. While it hasn’t always been easy for any of us, we’ve managed to make it this far.”
I glanced at Rayne. She was so gorgeous, standing there in a royal blue flowing dress. “Many of you have met the new lady in my life, some of you have gotten to know her pretty well, but I want everyone to officially meet her now. Rayne, can you come here for a second?”
Rayne was hesitating and I saw Chance push her out in the middle of the floor. Rayne brushed her off and started taking tiny steps toward me and my parents. When she got close enough to hear my whispers, I said, “Don’t worry. None of them bite.”
I heard Dad laugh behind me.
I grasped her hand in mine and faced the crowd. Felix, Dwayne, and Mike had all snuck in at some point. Dwayne was with Opal; Felix and Mike were going solo. They were all staring, along with the rest of the crowd.
“Everyone, this is Rayne Waters. Rayne, this is everyone.”
She laughed nervously as they applauded.
“Why are they clapping?” she asked in astonishment. “I haven’t done anything.”
“Oh yes, you have,” I told her. When the applause ended, I said, “Rayne asked me why you were applauding us. She doesn’t feel like she’s done anything to deserve it. The fact is that she’s done everything; she’s changed my entire life. Before I met Rayne, I’d given up on finding true love. Every turn only meant more pain for me; more disappointment. But she’s changed all that.” I gazed into her eyes and spoke directly to her. “You’ve changed all that.”
I reached into my coat pocket and took out an identical black box to the one Dad had pulled out of his. I’d spotted the perfect ring for her—five carats on a platinum band—the day Dad had selected the one for Mom.
Rayne gasped and so did half the room when I lowered myself onto my right knee. “Listen to me, baby. I know it seems like all of this happened fast. In many ways, it did. But I love you. I’ve loved you all my life; even before I met you.”
She ran her fingers across my cheek. “I love you, too, Yardley.”
“I know you do, and that’s why I want you to marry me. I don’t want to live my life without you.”
She started crying. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes.” I took the ring out the box and slipped it on her finger. “Say that you’ll be my wife, the mother of my children. Say we’ll grow old together and make a ton of memories to tell our grandchildren.”
Arjay came closer to us and said, “Say yes, baby.”
Rayne glared at her. “Momma?”
“You know I’m the last person in the world who believes in marriage. It’s not for me, but it is for you. I see that now. He’s different, Rayne. He’s rare, and you better grab him while you can.”
I looked at Arjay and laughed, still kneeling. “You heard her. I’m rare.”
“You are rare.” Rayne clamped her eyes shut for a moment. Her entire body was trembling. “You’re rare, Yardley, but I’m not.”
“What are you saying?”
She pulled her hand away from me, took the ring off, and placed it back in my palm. “I’m saying that you don’t deserve this. I’m not good enough for you.”
I jumped up. “You are good enough for me.”
Rayne shook her head violently. Chance started walking up behind her. She warded her off. “Please, Chance. Let me do this.”
Chance stood there with this hopeless expr
ession on her face; one that probably mirrored my own.
“I’m so embarrassed. I wish you wouldn’t have asked me this in front of everyone,” Rayne said as tears started flowing freely down both of her cheeks. “I can’t marry you, Yardley. When it comes down to it, I’m simply not good enough.”