Just then, Jimmy got the stereo turned on, filling the room with music. Moira stood and began a hip-wiggling dance. The other women soon followed suit, kicking empty boxes out of the way. The men sat back and watched, until Emma crooked her finger at Sean, who made a face but stood and went to her.
Without a word, Tommy followed suit, wrapping his arms around his wife. Kevin didn’t wait for an invitation. He stepped behind Kathy and gripped her hips to pull her to his body. He kissed her exposed neck, loving the way her body pressed into his in reaction.
She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Hi.”
“Still okay with everything?” he whispered.
“Way more than okay. I’m so happy we’re doing this.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
He held her close as they moved to the beat. With his lips on the shell of her ear, he said, “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
He’d never tire of hearing her say that, and in that moment, with her in his arms, declaring her love for him, surrounded by people who cared about them, the timing would never be more perfect. When the song ended and a new one began, he stepped away and said, “I’ll be right back.”
She smiled and waved as her hips swiveled to the rhythm. He ducked into their bedroom and dug through his briefcase. He’d been carrying the ring around with him for a couple of weeks. He hadn’t planned on proposing so soon—hadn’t even planned on getting a ring yet—but when he saw this one, he knew Kathy had to have it. He didn’t second-guess it or even feel a pang of nervousness.
He tucked the jewelry box in his pocket and returned to the living room. Kathy continued to dance alone and he grabbed her arm and pulled her into his embrace. He kissed her lips and with his forehead touching hers he said, “You have any idea how happy you make me?”
She smirked. “I might have some idea. Goes both ways.”
“There’s only one thing that would make me happier.”
She snorted. “That’s not happening with a house full of people.”
He laughed and shook his head. “Not even close.”
Then he dropped to one knee with the ring in his hand. “Kathy Hendricks, will you marry me?”
Everyone around them had frozen as soon as he hit the floor. Kathy’s hand flew to her mouth and her eyes grew wide.
He waited, but fear began to claw up his neck. His family stared at them for what felt like an eternity. He took her hand and stroked his thumb over her knuckles.
“How could you do this in front of everybody?” Kathy asked.
His hand wobbled the ring as he doubted the perfection of his timing. “I want everyone to know how much I love you.”
She tugged her hand and ran from the room.
Kevin stood.
“Bro—” Sean started, sympathy in his eyes.
Kevin shook him off and went after Kathy. When he entered the bedroom, her back was to him. He closed the door quietly. He hadn’t considered that they’d fight on the day he proposed, but if it was going to happen, he wanted it to be private. One humiliation per night was more than enough.
“You promised me no more running away.” As soon as the door clicked, she spun and threw herself at him. What the hell?
She kissed his neck, his cheek, and worked her way to his mouth. Her tongue caressed his and they kissed until a moan rumbled up her throat. He pulled back.
“You’re not going to yell at me?”
“Why would I do that?”
“I asked you to marry me and you ran away.”
She laughed. “Got you good, didn’t I?”
“Huh? You were playing me?”
“A little,” she said with a flirty smirk. “You should know me well enough by now that I don’t like to be the center of attention. And if I’m going to throw myself at the man I plan to marry, I sure as hell won’t do it in front of everyone we know.” Her fingers toyed with the hair at the back of his neck.
He held her hips and processed her words. “So that’s a yes?”
“Of course it’s a yes.”
“Yes, you’ll marry me?”
She laughed, a deep hearty laugh. “Yes, Kevin O’Malley, I will marry you.”
From the other side of the door a chorus of cheers and yells sounded. Kathy’s eyes popped wide again and she hid her face in the crook of his neck.
“Get used to it, babe. The O’Malleys will always be up in our business.”
“I guess that’s the price I pay for having people who love me, huh?”
“Yeah. That’s what family’s for.” His hand tilted her chin up so he could look in her eyes again. “Ready to go celebrate?”
“Yeah.”
He turned to open the door, but she held his elbow. “Wait.”
He stifled a groan. “What now? You can’t pull that card twice. I’m not falling for it.”
“It’s not official until I have a ring on my finger.” She held out her left hand and wiggled her fingers at him.
He took the ring from its box and slid it onto her finger. It was a little loose, but she closed her fist to keep it in place.
“Now let’s go show it off.” He led her out of the bedroom and they were immediately engulfed in hugs and pats on the back and congratulations.
Moira hugged him and said, “Get it right.”
“I will.”
Kathy nudged her friend and said, “He already has.”
Kevin kissed her again with a backdrop of cheers and yells from his family. It was about as perfect a night as he could ask for. It was definitely an excellent way to start their life together.
Keep reading for
more of the O’Malley Brothers
and more romance in
Through Your Eyes
by Shannyn Schroeder.
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Deirdre Murphy stepped out of the international terminal at O’Hare Airport, into the blustery wind of Chicago. She disliked the crowds and held no love for the cold, but as soon as she stepped to the curb, she felt freedom. It had been
