“Daddy,” I said, admonishing him.
“Offer stands.”
Pandemonium filled the room as the band paraded inside. Tommy was the first to greet the room, followed by Lance and then Ryan. My breath caught as the door opened again and Asher stepped inside. It was like an overhead light shone directly on his dark wet hair, spotlighting the man I loved.
I was used to seeing his joyful expression and was surprised when he scanned the room, a frown spoiling his handsome face. His eyes darted right past me, Mom, and Dad. Then it was as if everything in his head caught up to what he suspected he had seen. Asher’s face spun back around and landed on me.
Then that smile I’d been waiting for multiplied in size.
He moved quickly, like a cheetah chasing its prey. He even knocked Tommy out of the way to get to me. Then finally, I was in his arms, his face buried in my neck.
“Oh, fuck. You’re really here.”
“I am,” I said, my face pressed against his sweaty neck, but I didn’t care. I loved the smell of him.
He pulled back, eyes scanning my face as if to confirm that I was, in fact, here with him, then he yanked me back into his arms.
“Good show, Asher,” my dad said, smacking his hand on Asher’s bare shoulder and then he escorted my mom to the other side of the room to give us some privacy.
“Baby,” Asher said as he pulled back again, his hands cupping my cheeks. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Asher sealed his lips against mine, those little rings on his lips clinking against my teeth when his tongue begged for me to open. We kissed like we’d missed each other for the last two weeks. Like there was no one else in the room. I tugged on one as he pulled back again.
Sweetly he rested his forehead against mine. “Marry me, Addison. I’ve missed you these last two weeks. I don’t want to miss you again. I want you to be mine forever. Say you’ll marry me.”
“Yes,” I replied, wrapping my arms around his waist, my favorite way to hold him. “I would love to marry you.”
He pressed the softest of kisses against my mouth and then turned quickly to face the group, where they all waited expectantly.
“She said yes!” he shouted to the group and the room exploded in applause and congratulations. I saw that my mom and dad were walking toward us, both wearing sappy smiles. I tried to find Katy and Ryan, but neither stood out amongst the crowd.
“Congratulations,” Mom said as she reached out for an awkward hug. Asher kept his arm around my waist. It seemed he wasn’t going to let me escape any time soon.
“Congrats. I’m happy for you both and now I can officially welcome you to the family, Asher.” My dad held his hand out for Asher to shake, and when their hands connected, Dad pulled him in close. “But she’s still my daughter and I’ll kick your ass if you hurt her.”
“Understood,” Asher replied. “Want to go celebrate?” he asked me and I nodded enthusiastically. “We have a couple of days for a break.”
“To the cabin?” I suggested and Asher’s smile grew wicked.
“To the cabin.”