Page 81 of The Backup Groom

There was no turning back now.

ChapterSeventeen

Scotty

As Stella and Dean disappeared down the shore on the most gorgeous evening of the year, I couldn’t help thinking this would have been the perfect time to propose to Amber. With the full moon illuminating the sand all around us, and the crashing waves and crackling fire as our soundtrack, there couldn’t have been a more romantic moment for me to drop to the sand and wait for her to turn around. Then I would profess my love and ask Amber to make me the happiest man in the world by becoming my wife.

That was in a perfect world, where dreams actually came true.

Instead, I was being held hostage by the court system, with each tick of the clock taking me one step closer to losing the woman I couldn’t live without.

Stay positive. Everything will work out fine.

Maybe that needed to be my mantra.

I closed my eyes, took in a deep breath of the ocean air, and visualized myself being happily married to Amber and living that dream.

Stay positive. Everything will work out fine.

I exhaled slowly, opened my eyes, then blinked twice, lowering my gaze.

What the heck was Amber doing down there?

She was down on one knee in the sand, looking up at me, an expectant look in her eyes. There was a silver men’s ring in her hand.

Wait a minute . . .

I couldn’t believe what was happening.

Amber was proposing to me!

I stood there—gobsmacked, certain I was dreaming.

My heart banged in my chest as thoughts swirled around in my mind. Had I actually manifested this magic moment with my mantra or was it just my lucky day?

“Scotty . . .” Her eyes were full of hope and, dare I say,love? “Will you marry me?”

This was my dream come true.

I opened my mouth to answer and—

“Look at those two!” a man called out in the distance.

“She’s proposing to him,” a woman said. “I can’t believe it!”

“That is so adorable!” another woman yelled. “Say yes!”

Soon, there were chants of “Yes!” from the crowd that had gathered around us.

For some reason, I felt giddy and started laughing, still trying to comprehend the surreal moment that was unfolding before my very eyes.

“We have an audience now,” Amber said. “Don’t disappoint me.”

I glanced over at the crowd that was growing bigger by the minute. “Why do I get the feeling we’re going to go viral on social media?”

“I wouldn’t doubt it at all.” She winced. “Would you please say yes? I’m starting to get a cramp in my pinkie toe.”

“Answer her, you idiot!” a man called out. “Or I’ll marry her myself!”