They’re standing just inside the barn having a serious conversation. I’m trying not to be jealous or worried. I know Dillon loves me. I know where I belong now.
“Awnt Amy. We do smows!”
“Yes, now don’t get too close to the fire. Let Aunt Amy help you.” I put a marshmallow on the end of the stick, turning it in the fire until it’s lightly browned. I slide it between two crackers with a piece of chocolate and hand it to Daisy.
“You wuv Uncew Dewan?” She asks between mouthfuls.
“I do.” I laugh. She is the cutest little girl. She squirms on my lap, swinging her legs and trying to reach her tongue to her cheek to lick the chocolate that somehow ended up there.
“I do too!” she exclaims.
“Okay baby, no more sugar from Aunt Amy. Time for bed little one,” Laney says, lifting her from my lap. I give her a guilty smile.
“Oh, Mommy!”
“Say night night.” Laney mimics a childlike wave to me.
“Night night,” Daisy says with her bottom lip poking out, waving at me like Laney.
“Night night Daisy.” We blow each other kisses, her chin resting on Laney’s shoulder as Laney carries her to the house.
Dillon finally heads over to me from the barn with a nervous smile on his face and I quickly glance over to see Candice walking into the arms of Matt. “Okay?” he asks me.
“Yeah. You?”
“You’re not mad that I was talking to Candice, are you?”
“No. I know you needed to say things to her and she did too. I trust you. Love you.” I kiss him on the lips as a smile spreads across his face and his dimples make a rare appearance. I do trust him even though I still have some insecurities that seem to surface around Candice.
“I love you too.” He eyes the red solo cup in my hand. “How much have you had?”
“Worried?”
“No. Just want you to remember everything tomorrow.”
“I’m not really drinking it.” I’ve been sipping very slowly. I just don’t want to lose control of myself again. I glance from my cup to his face. He’s acting funny. My gut clenches at the thought that something might have happened with Candice in the barn. I shake the thought away quickly. No way. He wouldn’t. He just seems nervous about something.
“Amy, you look so cute. Love those boots.” Tess interrupts my thoughts as she walks over to us hand-in-hand with Danny.
“Thanks Tess.” Tess and I have hung out a few times. She’s super sweet and we have alot in common. She had a tough childhood. Her mother died when she was young and her father drowned himself in alcohol so she didn’t have a typical childhood either. She just recently moved in with Danny. They both stand there beaming. It’s odd. What is wrong with everyone?
“Hey there kiddos.” Ray struts over to the bonfire with his thumbs in his front pockets and following behind him, Laney returns. They take seats around the fire and everyone else soon follows suit. Katelyn, Ben, Candice, Matt, Tess, Danny, Dillon and I gather around the flickering flames. The silence is unnerving and I think it’s strange that Ray and Laney are here.
Danny stands and passes out those game chips to everyone. I’m thinking, oh hell no way am I playing that game while Dillon’s dad and sister are sitting here.
“We’re keeping it clean, kids,” Laney announces. Come to think of it, she’s been distant. She has barely talked to me all night. Usually she can’t stop talking. I’m starting to panic. I look at Dillon. He is sitting next to me instead of pulling me into his lap like he normally would. He’s fidgeting with the chips in his hand. I glance around at everyone else and no one can seem to look at me. My body starts to sweat and my heart pounds. I haven’t been drinking, but I feel that sick feeling in my belly.
“I’ll start,” says Ben. “Never have I ever been to an amusement park on top of a mountain.”
Dillon hands me a chip so I can throw it into the pile and then he throws one in. He still doesn’t look at me. He runs his hand through his hair while staring into the flames and keeps taking deep breaths. I almost stand up and scream, What the hell is going on!
“Never have I ever been engaged!” Tess blurts out excitedly.
“Tess!” Danny reprimands her.
“What? I couldn’t stand it anymore.” She giggles into her hands. “She looks like she’s going to throw up.”
Everyone is now looking at me. Dillon exhales a loud breath of air and then holds his handful of chips out to me. I’m confused.
I look into his hand and a twinkle grabs my attention. In the middle of the pile of red plastic games chips sits a ring, a beautiful platinum band embedded with several sparkly diamonds. I cover my mouth with both hands to muffle my scream. When Dillon stands from his seat next to me and then kneels at my feet, I lose it. My shoulders shake with my sobs. I look into his glassy eyes as he holds his hand out for me. I place my hand in his, both of us trembling, and watch as he slides the ring onto my finger. I swallow the lump in my throat and leap into his arms. His arms wrap tightly around me as I straddle his lap on the ground and we both cry. Happy tears.