it impossible not to fall in love with you and your determination and your beautiful, creative mind.” I squeeze her hand, and she squeezes back. “I want you at my side every day. I want your good days and bad. I want your fight and your warmth and your effervescence lighting up my world. I want your forever. Marry me, please.”
“Of course I’ll marry you.”
I slip the ring on her finger and push to a stand. “She said yes!”
Everyone bursts into raucous cheers as I wrap my arms around her waist. I kiss her, probably longer than is appropriate with the number of people watching. But I don’t care, and neither does she, apparently. We’ve found forever in each other, and now I never have to let her go.
Blaire
6 months later
“One year ago today I stepped in a pile of dog crap.”
My stylist, Frangelica—yes, like the liqueur—meets my gaze in the mirror briefly and smiles. “Oh?”
Daphne snorts and takes another photo.
The cameraman steps to the right, presumably so he can pan in on my face.
“Is this the story of the first time you met?” Tori asks.
She popped in as soon as my makeup was done so she could get a few minutes with me while Fran finishes up with my hair. It’s my wedding day and I’m clearly nervous since it’s going to be livestreamed on Tori’s YouTube channel.
“It is.” I’m about to nod, but remember Fran is working on my hair.
“Oh! I’ve only heard Ronan’s version! I want to hear yours!” Tori claps her hands excitedly.
So I tell her my version, including all the little details, the bang we thought was an earthquake, the broken unicorn glass, the way I lost my ability to speak and string together logical sentences because he was so disarmingly handsome and ridiculously composed. I recall how annoyed and flustered I was, so much so that I stepped in the dog poop I’d marked with a flower and forgot about. Recounting the story helps settle my nerves.
So much has happened in the past year, but the last six months have been an amazing whirlwind. Lars recorded Ronan’s proposal and shared it on social media after I said yes. From there things went a little crazy, especially with the incessant requests from people who wanted to see us tie the knot live.
So we agreed to let Tori do the honors, in part because of her role in bringing us together. Yes, there were other variables and factors at play, but if we hadn’t been competing against each other, and then eventually banding together to outdo D&B, we may not have fallen in love. Shoddy plumbing shut D&B down after the Love Is in the Air event, and they ended up relocating to another end of town. The building across the street has been turned into a software company with fifty new employees, which means more business for us.
Which means The Knight Cap & Cupcakery is thriving.
When we opened the wall between B&B and The Knight Cap we needed to find a way to blend the two very distinct, very different themes. Instead of a complete overhaul, we found a way to work the plaid into my side and the whimsy of cupcakes into his without emasculating it entirely.
My family shows up as I finish the story. There’s a whole lot of hugs and hands flapping in front of faces to ward off the tears. My parents have really come around in the past year, offering support and praise without trying to take over. Although Ronan is pretty good at standing his ground and politely telling them to back off. I’ve even gotten better at it, too.
Eventually we shoo everyone out of the back room—it’s not really made for more than two or three people—so Daphne can help me into my dress.
My dress isn’t quite the typical bridal gown. It’s far more representative of me and Ronan and where we met, which is here. It’s champagne colored and the entire bustier top is red and black plaid. It matches Ronan’s tux with his red vest and plaid tie.
“Ronan is going to lose his freaking mind when he sees you in this dress,” Daphne mutters. “Let’s hope he can make it through the reception instead of dragging you into the office.”
I snort indelicately, as though the idea is completely ludicrous. “As if.” I can feel my face going red, especially since my mom is also in the room with us.
“Not according to Lars,” she mumbles.
“What did you