Page 109 of Only You
At that moment, she didn’t care that they were in a public place and had an audience. All that mattered was that she was in Jack’s arms again, and it wasn’t just for show. Jack reluctantly broke the kiss, and the woman started clapping. Then she stood and gathered her bags. “Congratulations,” she said, smiling sweetly at them.
“Thank you,” Kayla and Jack said in unison.
After the woman wandered off, Jack said, “How do you like the ring?”
“I love it!”
“Try it on just to make sure.” Jack removed the sparkler from the box and slipped it onto her left ring finger.
“It fits perfectly. How’d you know my ring size?”
“I asked your mom,” he said casually.
Kayla gaped at him. “My mom knows about this?”
Jack held up his hand. “Now don’t get mad.”
“I’m not mad, but how … when …?”
He chuckled. “Yesterday, I went to your parents’ house to apologize. We had a nice long talk, and then I told them I was going to propose to you.”
Kayla chuckled. “I can only imagine how that went over.”
“Surprisingly well, after they made me promise to never break your heart again.”
Kayla smiled. “Sounds like them.” Then she sobered. “What about your parents? Do they know yet?”
Jack nodded. “I went to see them next. After another long talk, and a lot of groveling, they forgave me. When I told them I was proposing to you, it was like the icing on the cake. Speaking of cake, my mom knows a baker who makes wedding cakes.”
Kayla laughed. “I can’t believe you did all this.”
Jack lifted her left hand to his lips and kissed the back of it right above her ring. “Believe it. I’m never letting you go again.”
His eyes shone with emotion, and it took her breath away. “I love you, and I can’t wait for us to be married,” she said softly.
“Thank God. Otherwise, what happens next would be incredibly awkward.”
“What happens next?” she asked.
“Come with me and you’ll see.”
“Another surprise?”
“Mmm-hmm. You’ll like it. I promise.”
They strode out of the mall holding hands. A few minutes later, Jack pulled into the parking lot of Yard House, and it all made sense.
“We’re meeting Josie and Ryan here to celebrate,” she deduced.
“Yes,” Jack confirmed.
Inside the restaurant, Jack gave his name to the hostess.
“Your party is waiting. Right this way,” she said.
They followed the hostess through the restaurant to a table in the back, but it wasn’t only Josie and Ryan waiting there. Kayla’s and Jack’s parents stood, and everybody surrounded them. They were enthusiastically hugged, kissed, and congratulated on their engagement.
“Let me see the ring,” Sue demanded. Kayla held out her hand, and her mom peered at the ring with awe. Then Sue patted Jack on the arm. “You did good!”
