West-End Boys (Naïve Mistakes) (14 page)

Maria?

Yeah, you ain't seen crying yet. All those tears before didn't compare shit to what was happening now.

I looked down over the terrace railing, to the ground, still incredulous, thinking I was imagining things, that I was somehow in a dream. There they were, the people I loved the most in my life. Even my mom was there! Only Trey and Alex weren't but Conall was on his phone now.

"For you," he said.

"Congratulations, little sister!" screamed Alex, "I'm so fucking happy for you!"

Oh, damn. Yeah, I cried some more!

I looked down. My dad had his thumbs up at me, shaking his fists. He looked once at Conall, nodded that manly nod. Conall did the same. My mom was cheering, wiping a tear from her eye.

"Hey, wait a minute... You... Your trips," I said to Conall.

Conall shrugged. "Business in the US. Very important. I couldn't darn well propose without asking your father's permission first, now could I? He's a tough man to please, I might add. I think he did a background check on me. He doesn't give a hoot about my money, said if I wanted to marry his daughter I'd better be a real man. Scared the hell out of me, I must tell you."

We hugged, kissed once more under the moonlight.

I held him, the sounds of cheering muffled as I buried my ear against his chest.

All we need now is fireworks
, I thought.

And that's when they began.

I couldn't believe it. "You think of everything, don't you?"

"I try."

"And what did all of this set you back?" I asked.

"I didn't pay for the fireworks, just planned it with Trey that he'd get married on the same day that Zermatt was having a show."

"And timed the proposal precisely so we'd have the fireworks right on time?"

"Used a Swiss watch."

"And all those cheering people down there? Did they just happen to be in the neighborhood?"

"No, um, I paid for their flights. First class. And their chalets, helicopter rides, spa treatments...
It wasn't chivalry, I was trying to impress your dad."

"So, what, a few hundred grand?"

"Let's just say I'm
really
glad you said yes."

-2-

Actually, Kayla got married before us. She and Brad just couldn't wait anymore and so they pretty much eloped. They took photos with a handheld digital camera and Kayla picked some leaves from evergreen trees because it was deep in the winter and she tied them with an electrical wire she found on the floor to simulate a bouquet and then she shoved it in my hand and said, "There, you're next!"

Conall and I moved to West Sussex where the University of England was. Brad and Kayla could afford their own shack now and they moved next door.

We planned our wedding for the coming August.

But that's another story. For another time.

I'm not sure about ever after. But I was completely happy now. And now is what's important. Because lots of nows equal an ever after.

And Conall and I had lots of happy-
now
moments.

We still do.

THE BEGINNING

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My Other Titles:
 

Naïve Mistakes Trilogy

Finding North, #1 Naïve Mistakes Trilogy
East Rising, #2 Naïve Mistakes Trilogy

Girl-Nerds
Like it... Series

Girl-Nerds Like it Harder, #1 Girl-Nerd Series

Girl Nerds Like it Faster, #2 Girl-Nerd Series

Girl-Nerds Like it Deeper, #3 Girl-Nerd Series