38. Gracelyn
Christmas is a week away. I have one last appointment before I hang up my stylist apron for the holiday break.
Of course, the appointment’s running late.
Dammit.
All I want to do is go home and take a nice hot shower, wash away the knots in my shoulders then snuggle on the couch with Mack. He promised he’d watch a cheesy holiday movie with me—his words, not mine—and I’m so ready for it.
The door chimes and I check my watch. Fucker’s ten minutes late. I’m not even certain who’s showing up. My mom booked the appointment last minute, before she headed out the door for a White Elephant gift exchange with her book club.
“About damn time…” I mutter under my breath, spinning to face the tardy client.
And there’s Mack, in jeans and a button down, looking fine as hell.
“Well, hello there, handsome. You’re not my 6:30, are you?” I peek around his shoulders, trying to see if anyone else came in behind him.
“I am. But I don’t need a haircut. Close up shop—we have plans.” He shoots me a grin, all white teeth and gorgeousness, and heat unfurls in my belly.
I love this man.
Who would ever have thought my mom’s broody next-door neighbor would be hella romantic?
I hurry to close up, clicking off the lights and locking the door. Mack grabs my hand and together we walk down the steps.
“Where are we going? What are we doing?” I’m practically bouncing with excitement as we walk down the sidewalk to his truck. I love surprises.
“Thought it would be fun to catch the lights in town. See the Christmas tree. I know how much you love the holidays.”
He helps me into the truck, then we take off into the night. He turns on the radio, Parker McCollum singing about being my man, and I sink back into the comfy leather seat, happy and content. We drive through the neighborhood, every house lit up with holiday lights, a few lawns sporting those gigantic inflatable snow globes. Nobody does Christmas better than Thunder Creek.
Mack takes a left turn, then another left, until we’re in the center of town. He parks at the square and together we walk across the lawn toward the giant Christmas tree.
Sparkling with white lights, the tree’s massive and beautiful, strung with gold and silver tinsel and decorated with red, green, and gold ornaments. The shops around the square are decorated too, each storefront strung with glittering lights.
“I love the holidays.” I rest my head on Mack’s broad shoulder, snuggling into his warmth. “They’re so magical.”
He kisses me on the top of my head, his arm wrapped around my waist.
“They are. Oh, look—that gift is for you.” He points at a giant box beneath the tree, with a huge gold bow and a tag reading Gracelyn .
“You planned this.” I swivel my head toward him, eyes narrowed.
He shrugs. “Maybe. Grab the gift.”
I bend down and pick up the beautifully wrapped box.
“Go on, open it.”
Holding my breath, I tear through the shiny red paper. I lift the top and find another, much smaller box, wrapped in identical red paper with the cutest little gold bow.
Mack’s hand at my back, I rip through the tape of the smaller gift. The red paper falls to the ground, revealing a plain box. I raise the lid and gasp.
Inside sits a beautiful, sparkly Princess-cut diamond ring.
“Mack—” I breathe, lifting my gaze from the jewelry.
He’s on one knee, reaching for my hand.
“Gracelyn, I love you. You are the most genuine, loving, bubbly person I’ve ever met. You make the sun shine brighter, the wind blow lighter, and the days feel better, just because you’re there by my side. Where I want you to be today, tomorrow, and all the rest of our days. Gracelyn Troublemaker Reynolds, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
He fixes earnest jade eyes on me, wide and serious.
I’m speechless, the breath sucked from my lungs.
I love this man with all that I have, all that I am.
“Yes, Mack. Yes. I would love to be your wife.”
With a steady hand, he plucks the ring from the box and slides the glittery diamond onto my finger. A perfect fit.
Rising, he kisses me long and slow on the lips, right there in the square with the Christmas tree in the background.
This is the most perfect moment of my life and I’ve never been happier.
I take a deep breath, inhaling the heady scent of the tree and Mack and all his goodness.
I love this man with all my heart and I can’t wait to be his wife.
Everything is going to work out.
Gracelyn and Mack.
Together, we’ll call the shots and live happily ever after.