Page 90 of Finding Forgiveness

“I missed you last night. I couldn’t sleep without you beside me.”

“Aww,” I say, reaching up to cradle the side of his face. “It was a full-on day here yesterday, I’m pretty sure I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.” When he frowns at my reply, I smile. “If I wasn’t so tired, I would’ve struggled too though.”

“Hmm.”

When the master of ceremonies speaks, I glance at him over my shoulder. “Ladies and gentlemen, before we enter the marquee to be seated, the bride would like to throw her bouquet. Can I have all the unmarried women congregate over by the fountain please?”

“That’s me,” I say, turning back to Connor.

“Good luck,” he replies, placing his lips on mine.

“I don’t need it.”

“Why?”

“Never underestimate a woman on a mission. I’m prepared to take down anyone that gets in my way.”

Connor glances towards the fountain where a few women have gathered. “Even Angel?” he asks. She’s now joined the crowd looking awfully excited.

I shrug. “If she gets in my way, I’m taking her down.”

“Brutal,” he says, grinning.

“That bouquet is mine, Mr Maloney.” Reaching down, I remove my heels and hand them to him. “Hold these.”

“Go get ’em, tiger,” he says, slapping my arse as I walk away.

When Jacinta takes her place with her back to us, Angel moves forward, right in front of me and holds her arms up high. Would people notice if I used the pink sash around her waist to restrain them behind her back?

My eyes quickly scan over the guests, and unfortunately, everyone’s attention is on us. That immediately foils my plan. I swear if this dress had sleeves, I’d be pushing them up my arms right now. She’s a kid, so I can’t exactly bowl her over, but I’ll leapfrog over her head if need be.

I widen my stance when Jaz raises the bouquet above her head, but instead of throwing it, she turns to face us. My eyes narrow as she heads in our direction. I swear to God if she hands those flowers to Angel, it’s going down. She’s not even old enough to get married.

She stops right in front of her, and I clench my hands into fists. I’d never hit my BFF, but I am prepared to snatch those flowers from her if need be. My turmoil is short lived, because Angel suddenly steps to the side and Jacinta hands her bouquet to me.

I frown. Did she doubt my ability to win it fair and square? Despite my annoyance, I take it from her. “I could’ve caught it legitimately.”

“I know,” she says, smiling. She reaches up and for a second, I think she’s going to hug me, but instead, she places her hands on my shoulders and turns me around. I gasp the moment I find Connor behind me and down on one knee.

The prized bouquet in my hand is soon forgotten as I throw my arms in the air and it goes flying across the yard. “Yes!” I scream, diving in his direction and tackling him to the ground.

Connor is now flat on his back and my body is aligned on top of his. He’s smiling up at me as he says, “I haven’t asked you yet.”

“My bad, but the answer’s still going to be yes.”

“What if I was going to ask you something that required a no answer?”

“You were on your knees holding out an engagement ring, Connor. There isn’t a no in that equation.”

“I laid awake all night thinking of the perfect thing to say.”

My eyes narrow. “I thought you laid awake because you missed me.”

“It was a combination of both,” he says, chuckling.

I raise my chin. “Let me hear it then.”

“Can I get up?”