“I hope you don’t mind.” He shifts from foot to foot while giving an apprehensive smile. “I’ve got a huge favor to ask.”
“Anything,” I say as I lean in. “Leo, we’re family, and not because we’re both telesensual. Emmie is head over heels in love with you.”
He takes a breath. “That’s exactly how I feel about her.” He nods. “I’m going to do it. I’m going to pop the question on Christmas Eve, Bizzy.”
My mouth falls open, and I take in a never-ending breath.
He gives a nervous laugh. “I want you to help me figure out the perfect proposal, and I want you to help me pick out the perfect ring, too. I need this to be special, and nobody knows Emmie the way you do. Will you do it? Will you help?”
I toss my arms around him and give him a hard embrace as I sniff back tears. “You bet I will. I’ll get my wheels turning right away. Don’t you worry. Emmie Crosby is going to have the world’s most perfect proposal. Everything is going to be special. Thank you, Leo, for loving her the way you do. She’s lucky to have you.”
“I’m the lucky one.” He nods to someone from over my shoulder. “I’d better tell Jasper.”
I’m about to go with him when Huxley cuts me off at the pass.
“Hey, Biz, got a second?” He scratches at the back of his neck, a sure sign he’s nervous—and considering whom he’s with, I don’t blame him. Mackenzie probably has the power to make even her own mother twitchy.
“Of course, what do you need? An escape route?”
He shoots me a look. “All right, you’re very funny. I know that was a dig at Mack, but I want you to like her. In fact, I want you to love her. If I get my way, she’s going to be around for a very long time. I’m going to ask her to marry me, come Christmas Eve.” He blows out a heavy sigh. “And I want you to help me plan it.”
A hard groan comes from me, the kind that expels from you by way of a good sock to the stomach.
“Of course,” I hear myself say. I couldn’t deny my brother anything, least of all his delusions.
“Great.” He perks up a notch. “I’ll need help with the ring, too. Nothing too flashy. Underneath it all, Mackenzie is a simple girl.”
More like simple cheater.
“Fine. I’ll help pick out the ring, but nothing pointy that can be used against you later as a weapon.”
He bucks with a laugh. “You’re killing me.”
I want to say let’s hope Mackenzie doesn’t kill you first, but I opt to glue my lips shut instead.
He pats me on the back. “I need some more of that cider. Are you up for a cup?”
“No thanks,” I say as he takes off. As much as I want to join Jasper and his family, I’m afraid I’m needed elsewhere. I winnow Mackenzie out from a conversation she seems to be having with Juni, and I pull her to the side.
“I know what you’re up to,” I hiss. Mackenzie’s wild chestnut hair cascades down her back, and she’s wearing a cranberry pantsuit with matching heels, looking every bit the devil she is. “If you have any decency at all, you’ll break it off with my brother as soon as this party is over. I don’t appreciate you using him like your plaything.”
She squints hard over at me. “What are you warbling about? And what’s so bad about your brother being my plaything? I, for one, happen to know he enjoys it.”
“Gross,” I grunt as I pull out my phone and quickly riffle through my pictures until I come across the bomb that’s about to blow the lid off of Mackenzie’s cheating ways. “We both know you’re two-timing my brother, and you’re doing it with this man right here.” I shove the phone to her face, and her mouth squares out as she examines the picture.
“What in the hell?” She shakes her head as she steps back. “Are you following me?”
“I didn’t have to. You did that out in the open. And don’t play Ms. Innocent with me. I could practically read your mind that day. You didn’t want Huxley to see you.”
She cranes her neck past my shoulder for a moment. “Fine. You’re right,” she snips in my face. “I didn’t want Hux to see us together. That’s Elliot Timber, my cousin who happens to work at a jewelry store in Rose Glen. If you must know my business, I’m getting ready to propose to your brother.”
“What?” I squawk so loud the room quiets down to a hush before picking up once again with its pleasant din. “You’re going to propose?”
“Would you keep it down before you ruin everything? And yes.” She practically bites my nose off when she says it. “I’m going to propose, and I want you to help. I need you to get his class ring or something. I want the ring to fit when I give it to him.”
“Class ring?” I ask, stunned. “Fine.” I close my eyes in defeat. “I’ll ask my mother. I think it’s actually in her possession.”
“Never mind, I can ask her myself.” Her lips curl at the tips. “And once your brother says yes, on Christmas Eve, you’ll have a brand-new sister to look forward to—me.” She gives a malevolent wink. “I’ve always felt a connection to you, Bizzy. Something extra besides the friendship we once shared, and now I know why. It was destiny that we become family all along.” Her shoulders bounce. “Be warned, if you ruin my surprise, I’ll make you pay.” She stalks off, and I sag at the thought of being permanently leashed to Mackenzie Woods as family.
Before I can process any of it, Emmie and Jordy wheel in
