LITMIR.BIZ

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groaned. “This can’t end well. Mark my words. You’re screwed, my friend.”

      “Anyone ever tell you what a ball of joy you are?”

      Cam held his hands up in surrender. “Look, I’m just trying to warn you here. You should tell her the truth. No woman likes being made a fool of.”

      “And have her tell me to go to hell and take my proposal with me?” Devon demanded.

      He sighed and shook his head. Yeah, he knew Cam had been through the wringer in the past. He couldn’t blame his friend for his cynicism. But he wasn’t in the mood to hear it right now.

      “This deal is important to all of us. Not just me,” he continued when Cam remained silent. “Marriage isn’t my first choice, but Ash is a sweet girl. She’ll make a good wife and a good mother. Everyone gets what they want. You, me, Ryan and Rafe. Ashley, her father. Everyone’s happy.”

      “Whatever floats your boat, man. You know I’m behind you all the way. But remember this. You don’t have to marry her to make this work. We’ll find another company. We’ve suffered setbacks before. Not one of us expects you to martyr yourself for the cause. Rafe and Ryan are deliriously happy. There’s no reason you shouldn’t hold out for the same.”

      Devon snorted. “Turning into quite the rah-rah man. I’m fine, Cam. There is no love of my life. No other woman in the picture. No one I’d rather marry. I’ll be content with Ashley. Stop worrying.”

      Cam checked his watch. “Your intended bride is looking this way. I think you’re on.”

      Devon glanced over to where Ashley stood surrounded by friends and relatives. He could never sort out who was who because there were so many. She smiled and waved and then motioned him over.

      He handed Cam his wineglass and made his way through the throng of people until he reached Ashley.

      She sparkled tonight. She wore a radiant smile that seemed to captivate the room. But then she always drew people. She’d talk to anyone at all about anything at all.

      As soon as he approached, she all but pounced on him, took his hand and dragged him into her circle. He smiled at each of the women in turn, but their names and faces kind of blended. After a moment he bent to murmur in Ashley’s ear. “It’s time, don’t you think?”

      She all but quivered in excitement. Her eyes lit up and she smiled as she squeezed his hand.

      “Excuse us, ladies,” he said smoothly as he drew Ashley away and back in Cam’s direction. There wasn’t anyone standing around Cam. Cam had that effect on people. It was the perfect place to call for attention and announce their engagement.

      “Hi, Cam,” Ashley sang out as they walked up to his friend.

      She let go of Devon’s hand and threw her arms around Cam’s neck. Cam grinned and shook his head as he attempted to extricate himself from her embrace.

      “Hello, Ash,” he said before dropping an affectionate kiss on her cheek. “Come stand by me while Devon makes a fool of himself.”

      Devon sent a glare Cam’s way before taking Ashley’s hand and pulling her to his side. Laughing, Cam handed him a fresh wineglass and a spoon.

      “What, are you kidding me?” Devon asked. “You want me to bang on a wineglass to get attention?”

      Cam shrugged then tossed the spoon aside. Then he put his fingers to his lips and emitted a shrill whistle. “Everyone, I’d like your attention please. Devon here has an announcement for us.”

      “Thanks, Cam,” Devon said dryly. Then he turned to face the room filled with Ashley’s friends and relatives. And they were all staring at him expectantly. All wanting him to make this moment perfect for Ashley. Hell. No pressure or anything.

      He cleared his throat and hoped like hell that he’d manage to get through it without sticking his foot in his mouth.

      “Ashley and I invited you all here tonight to join us in celebrating a very special occasion.” He glanced fondly down at Ashley and squeezed her hand. “Ashley has made me the happiest of men by consenting to marry me.”

      The room erupted in cheers and applause. To the right, Ashley’s mom and dad stood beaming at their youngest child. William nodded approvingly at Devon while Ashley’s mother wiped at her eyes as she smiled at her daughter.

      “It’s our wish that you’ll all attend our wedding to take place four weeks from today and help us celebrate as we embark on our journey together as man and wife.”

      He held up his wineglass and turned again to Ashley whose entire face was lit up with a breathtaking smile. “To Ashley, who’s made me the luckiest man alive.”

      Everyone raised their glasses and noisy cheers rang out again as everyone toasted Devon and Ashley.

      “Quite an eloquent speech there,” Cam murmured in Devon’s ear. “One would almost think you meant every word.”

      Devon ignored Cam and slid an arm around Ashley as they braced for the onslaught of well-wishers pushing forward.

      His head was spinning as he processed face after face. Bright smiles. Slaps on the back. Admonishments to take care of “their girl” as everyone in the family seemed to have a claim on Ashley.

      She was everyone’s younger sister, daughter, best friend or person in need of protection. It bewildered him and annoyed him in equal parts that everyone in Ashley’s family seemed to think she was incapable of taking care of herself. Nothing in his relationship with Ashley had led him to believe this was an accurate assessment.

      Yes, she was flighty. She was too trusting, definitely. She was a bit naive. He grimaced. He supposed he could understand that in a family of business sharks she was an anomaly, and perhaps they were right to worry that she’d be swallowed up.

      But it didn’t mean she was totally incapable of taking care of herself. It just meant she needed someone who’d look out for her best interests and occasionally protect her from herself. Someone like him.

      Her hand feathered over his arm and she leaned up on tiptoe. He immediately lowered his head, realizing she wanted to tell him something.

      “We can leave anytime,” she whispered. “I know my family is a lot to take.”

      He almost laughed. Here he’d been thinking of how she needed his protection and she was busy protecting him from her overwhelming family.

      “I’m fine. I want you to enjoy yourself. This is your night.”

      Her brow furrowed and her eyebrows pushed together as she stared up at him. “And not yours?”

      “Of course it is. I only meant that you’re surrounded by your family and friends and I want you to enjoy yourself.”

      She smiled, kissed him on the cheek and then settled back at his side as they were besieged my more congratulations.

      “Ashley! Ashley!”

      Devon turned to see a young woman barreling through the crowd practically dragging a man in her wake. He looked a bit harried but wore an indulgent smile. Devon stared a moment and then realized that whomever the woman was, she bore a striking resemblance to Ashley and she had every appearance of sharing many of the same personality traits. Probably one of her many cousins.

      “Brooke!” Ashley cried. She put out her hands just as Brooke careened to a halt and Brooke grabbed hold, beaming from ear to ear.

      “Guess what, guess what?” Brooke said breathlessly.

      “Oh, don’t make me guess. You know I’m horrible at it!” Ashley exclaimed.

      “I’m pregnant! Paul and I are going to have a baby!”

      Ashley’s shriek of excitement could be heard over the entire room. Devon winced then quickly glanced around as everyone stared their way.

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