“Jesus,” he growled, flipping me onto my back, and before I had a second to think about what was going on, he was inside me.
“Sophie? Sophie?”
“Wh…what?” I ask, snapping out of the memory.
“Wow, that man must have it going on if you can stand in a room full of people and still be with him somewhere else.”
“It wasn’t that.” I blush, lowering my eyes.
“Uh-hummm. Whatever you say, girl, but I know that look anywhere. Hell, I plan on wearing that look later tonight.”
“What are you to talkin’ about?” Devon asks, walking up and putting his arm around Maggie’s waist as Nico does the same around mine.
“Girl talk, and you know we can’t tell you.”
“You and Sophie’s girl talks always mean trouble,” Devon says with a smirk. “Man, you gotta watch out for these two. They’ve always been nothing but trouble.”
“That’s a lie.” I laugh. “You were always trying to get us in trouble.”
“I’m a cop. I take offense to that.”
“Whatever.” I roll my eyes and shake my head.
Devon was always trying to talk us into doing things we weren’t supposed to. Job Corps was very strict; we weren’t allowed to leave the grounds unless you had earned it. We had a curfew and other rules as well, and he was always breaking them and dragging us along with him.
“Sophie loved the drama.” Maggie smiles.
“Anyways, are you excited to go to the Bahamas?” I ask, changing the subject.
“Yes! Two weeks of beautiful beaches and sun. I love Seattle, but I hate that it rains all the time. It will be nice to get out of town,” Maggie says, leaning deeper into Devon’s side, smiling up at him. It used to make me jealous watching them, but now I have that kind of love for myself.
“That’s one thing I don’t miss. I love Tennessee,” I tell them, feeling Nico’s fingers flex on my hip.
“We’ll come visit after you have the baby,” Maggie states, and Devon looks at me, his eyes getting big. Crap.
“You pregnant, Sophie?”
“Yes,” I say quietly.
“How did this happen?”
“Well, you see, when a man and—” I start flippantly.
“Cut the crap. You gonna marry our girl?” Devon asks, glaring at Nico. Nico—being Nico—glares back at him, putting his arm around my shoulders.
“You really want to ask about that at your wedding?” Nico asks.
“Hell yes. Everyone in this room loves Sophie, and no one here will be happy to know she’s pregnant with no ring on her finger.”
“That so?” Nico asks, looking around at the people in the room, who have all started to watch us.
I can feel my cheeks heating up. I know Devon thinks of me as family, but this is crazy.
“Devon, please sto—” I start, but suddenly Nico gets down on one knee in front of me. “What are you doing?” I whisper, watching as he pulls a small, turquoise box from inside his suit jacket.
“I knew from the moment I saw you that I would do everything within in my power to make myself worthy of you. I was going through life one day at a time, and then you came along and gave me a reason to plan for tomorrow. Every second, every minute, and every day, I will prove to be a better man, a man worthy of you, a man who will love you the same way you love me—for who I am, not what others see me as. I promise to love and protect you until my last breath, Sophie Jean Grates. Will you marry me, baby?” he asks, pulling a diamond solitaire ring from the hinged case in his hand, dropping the box on the floor, and pulling my hand towards him.
Before I can even think or he can get the ring on my finger, I tackle him. “Yes.” I push him backwards, climbing on top of him and kissing him all over his face. “Yes,” I repeat, holding his face between my hands and looking into his eyes. “I love you, Nico Mayson.”
“I love you too, baby.” He slides his hands through my hair, pulling my face down to his. Loud applause fills the room, and I feel myself turning red as he kisses me again, only to pull away and whisper against my lips, “Let’s get off the floor, crazy girl.”
I nod and climb off of him, fixing my dress. As soon as were both up, he slides the ring on my finger, pulling it to his mouth and kissing it then kissing me.
“I love you, girl,” Maggie says, pulling me into a tight hug.
“I love you too. I can’t believe he asked me in front of everyone,” I say, still in shock.
“We knew yesterday,” she tells me then moves to Nico before I can ask her what she meant.
Devon holds his arms open to me; I automatically go to him, wrapping my arms around his waist.