Sister of the Bride (Fool's Gold #2.5)(24)

"For how long?"

"Until I'm back." He headed for the door.

"Howie--"

He turned around. "Mom, you have to stop calling me that. I'll explain everything as soon as I can. Just help me."

"All right. But I don't know what I'm going to say."

"You'll think of something."

"This is stupid," Courtney said, sipping champagne and pacing by the edge of the ballroom. "I want to throw the bouquet and get on with my life."

"Mom and Tina were really clear. They want us to wait."

"Fine. But only five more minutes. Then I'm doing what I want."

And damn the consequences, Katie thought wryly. Courtney had her moments of caring about other people. Unfortunately they were widely spaced.

"I'm hope you know I said what I did for your own good," Courtney said.

Katie stared at her blankly. "What are you talking about?"

"Jackson and Ariel. Did you look at her? You don't have a shot. I know that sounds cruel, but it's true. Better that you get over him now than he breaks your heart."

Katie told herself she would sleep better if she assumed the best about her sister. "I appreciate the warning, but Jackson and Ariel aren't together. They didn't sleep together."

Courtney's eyes widened. "Of course they did. Both nights."

"No," Katie said calmly. "They couldn't have. Jackson was with me."

Courtney flushed. Her mouth opened and closed. "Ariel said they did. She said she was telling me because she knew how much I loved you and thought someone should warn you. I've been trying to figure out how to tell you." Her expression cleared. "I'm glad it's not true."

Katie couldn't have been more surprised if the stemware started talking. "Um, me, too."

Courtney hugged her. "Now I really want you to catch my bouquet."

Still feeling slightly stunned, Katie got halfway across the dance floor when she heard Jackson call her name.

She stopped, her heart pounding hard in her chest. Love filled her. Love and hope and the knowledge that this man was the one. She turned toward him.

"Hi."

"I didn't sleep with Ariel."

He looked serious and worried, as if he'd genuinely been concerned. Which was exactly like him.

"I know."

"I wasn't even tempted."

"I believe you."

There were guests all around them. A few were pretending they weren't listening while others moved in closer.

Jackson pushed up his glasses as he stared at her. "I know this is fast and maybe a little crazy, but, Katie McCormick, you're the most amazing woman I've ever met. You're who I've been waiting for. It kills me that our moms were right, but we're going to have to live with that. At least I'm hoping we will. I love you."

Maybe there was other noise in the room. Music from the orchestra, a gasp or two, but all she heard were his words. Magical words that made her feel as if she could float.

"I've loved you from the second I saw you," he continued. "It's okay if you have to think about it, but please don't tell me no."

Then Jackson Kent, the most devastatingly handsome, sexy, wonderful man she'd ever known, dropped to his knee and held out a diamond ring.

"Katie, will you marry me?"

A thousand thoughts flashed through her mind. That if this was a dream, she never, ever wanted to wake up. That she hadn't known it was possible to love anyone as much as she did right now. That her sister was going to want to kill her. But mostly that every fiber of her being begged her to accept.

She crossed to him and crouched in front of him. After cupping his face in her hands and allowing herself to get lost in his green eyes, she smiled.

"Yes."

The room erupted in cheers and applause. Jackson stood, drawing her to her feet, then he pulled her close and kissed her.

"I love you," he whispered against her mouth.

"I love you, too. From that first second."

He pulled back long enough to put the ring on her finger. She stared at the massive diamond.

"Were you just carrying this around? Random diamonds in case you wanted to get married?"

"I got the hotel manager to get the jewelry store guy to open for me. We can get you something different, if you want. Maybe a little diamond football helmet or baseball."

She laughed. "This one is perfect. Just like you."

He swung her around, then kissed her again. "Not perfect. Just very, very lucky."

Katie hugged him. Over his shoulder, she saw her mother and Tina both dabbing at tears. Courtney hung on to Alex and waved her flowers.

Katie drew back slightly. "About the wedding," she began.

"I was thinking we'd elope."

"You read my mind."