“Wait. Who’swe?” I’m having second thoughts about letting them be a part of this. “I don’t want an audience for this.”
“Come on,” Miles says, sitting on the bench. “Didn’t she say she wanted it to be a big surprise?”
“Yeah, but?—”
“Then let us help,” Jaxon coaxes. “I want to be part of this before I leave town.”
I glance around at these guys—the brothers who’ve had my back through everything. They fought for me this whole season and celebrated when Scarlett and I finally got together. Of course they want to be there when I propose.
“I’ll agree,” I say with a sigh. “Under one condition?—”
“What’s that?” Jaxon asks.
I give them each a look. “Don’t mess it up.”
“When have we ever messed anything up?” Leo asks with a smirk.
The room goes silent.
“Fine.” He throws up his hands. “But this time will be different.”
Scarlett
When Brendan picks me up from the cafe that evening, I can tell something’s different. It could be he’s still flying high from the Crushers’ big win, but he’s wearing a nice button-down instead of his usual Crushers hoodie. He looks so handsome, I almost wish we weren’t meeting the team to celebrate tonight.
“You look beautiful,” he says, pulling me into his arms and kissing me.
“I’m just in jeans and a top,” I say around a laugh.
“Still irresistible.” He kisses my temple slowly, long enough to send heat through me. “I can’t wait to go out with you.”
Things have been so busy the past few weeks, we’ve hardly seen each other.
“How was work?” he asks as we walk to his vehicle.
“Going well, actually. The food truck helped double our sales this month, which means we’re paying off more of Dad’s medical bills. And the doctor said only a few more months of treatment before he’s officially in remission.”
“Best news I’ve heard all day.” He squeezes my hand.
“So where are we going tonight?”
“The location is a surprise,” he begins, getting the car door for me, “and before you say you hate surprises—you’ll like this one, I promise,” he finishes, before closing the door.
He seems unusually confident about it.
“Well, I’ll do it for Jaxon and the team,” I say. “Even though I’m surprised you want to celebrate the same man who took me to the team Christmas party.”
“Hey, I got the girl in the end,” he says, taking my hand as he pulls onto the street. “Bygones.”
After we’ve driven a little way, I spot the lights of the Ferris wheel and know immediately where we’re headed. “Does this mean you’re going to win me another stuffed animal?”
He laughs. “I’ll try, but no promises.”
As we walk through the entrance, I’m overwhelmed again with the magic of this place—the scent of fried food in Junk Food Alley, the music from the carousel, and the kids squealing in delight. It’s one of those places that makes you happy as soon as you step inside.
We see the team right away as Gabriella waves us over. “Hey, guys! You want to get some food? I’m starving.”
“I’ll join you,” I say. “I didn’t really get a chance to eat at work.”