“Uh, what’s going on?” Lukas asked.
Lincoln leaned back in his seat, a maniacal smile on his face as Josie winked at him. “I don’t know, but I’m damn sure going to have fun finding out.”
“Our daughters are up there, you asshat,” Grady said, smacking the man on the back of the head. It didn’t deter Lincoln one bit.
As the lyrics started, Olivia appeared between the other girls, casually climbing up onto the bar. Each of them swayed their hips to the beat, dancing in a perfect rhythm. It was clear they’d modified the routine, so it wasn’t too provocative for Harper and Charlie.
“Isn’t this from that movie?” Lincoln asked, turning toward me. “You know the one?—”
“Liv always did like the dramatics. Wonder how long they’ve been planning this,” Lukas said.
Bishop looked over at Lennox, who was miming the words. “So, that’s why she’s been pouting all night,” he said.
The guys and I watched the girls dance on the bar, hooting and hollering as they took turns in the spotlight. By the time the music cut off, we were all on our feet giving them the round of applause they deserved.
I walked over, holding my hands out for Olivia to take. She did, jumping down in front of me. “You better not have scratched my bar,” I said, giving her a kiss.
She smiled up at me, her blonde curls a sweaty mess. “Ourbar, baby. Remember that.”
“How could I forget?” I pulled her closer, letting her body melt against my own.
Her hand came up, playing with the hair along my neck as she whispered. “Is that a ring box in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?”
What. The. Fuck.
She pulled back, a knowing smile on her lips at my stunned expression. “I—Well, I?—”
“Oh, please. I found that thing the first time I did laundry, Duke. We really need to work on your hiding spots.”
Goddammit. My heart sank. Suddenly, it felt like the night was ruined. I wanted to surprise her. “You knew?”
“It has literally been killing me. Honestly, I’m glad you’re not making me wait anymore.” She slipped her hand inside the front pocket of my jeans and pulled out the small box. It lay flat in the palm of her hand.
I took it from her, pulling out the golden band before dropping to one knee. It wasn’t at all how I pictured it, but it was perfect all the same. Here, in our bar, surrounded by friends and family, I stared up at the most beautiful woman I’d ever known.
“I’m not good with my words, so you’ll have to bear with me as I stumble through this,” I said, eliciting a laugh from those around us. “A wise man once told me that regrets are for fools. Since then, I’ve taken those words to heart and tried my best to live by them. If you would’ve told me that I’d be getting down on one knee for the annoying girl I used to throw into the lake when we were kids, I’d have probably said you were crazy.”
“Hear, hear,” Lukas chimed. “Back when I was the most important Hart in your life.”
Olivia rolled her eyes, reaching over to pinch her brother. “You’re just mad because your best friend would rather play with me instead.”
Lukas scrunched up his nose. “Nope. I don’t want to think about that.”
I looked between the two of them, waiting. “Can I get back to what I was doing?” Lukas held up his hands as Olivia turned back to me, bright eyes shining as she glanced down. “But now, there’s no one else I could imagine spending the rest of my life with. You’re an amazing woman. An amazing mother. I’m so glad Harper and I get to share a life with you and Charlie.” I glanced around at all the tear-filled eyes trained on us. “And everyone else, too.”
“Oh, Duke…” she whispered.
“Olivia Hart, will you marry me?”
Olivia smiled, one side of her lips kicking up a smidge higher than the other. “That must have been one wise man.”
“He was pretty great.”
She glanced down at the ring and bit her lip, nodding. “I would love to marry you, Duke Bennett.”
The bar broke out in a thunderous applause as I stood and picked Olivia up, kissing her senseless. She wrapped her legs around my waist, locking us together.
“Get a room,” Lukas boomed as I set his sister down. He pulled me into a hug, clapping me on the back. “Proud of you, brother.”