"I need to go," she whispered to Brent, who looked at her like she'd grown two heads. "I need to find Reece."
"In
case it escaped your notice, we're starting the contest in fifteen minutes."
She shifted her weight from foot to foot, feeling frantic. "But I have to tell him--"
"Jenna." Brent's voice was harsh and no-nonsense.
She froze. "I'm losing it, aren't I?"
"Just a little. Come here." He pulled her into a hug. "Look, I know this thing with Reece is hard, but he's still going to be an asshole later tonight or tomorrow morning. Find him then," Brent continued, as Jenna giggled. "Right now, we have a contest about to start, the press in the audience, and a video crew from the local news ready to put together what we hope is one hell of a story. So get it together, okay? Because you need to enjoy this amazing event you organized."
"Right," she said. "I know."
But try as she might, she couldn't focus. Thank goodness she'd delegated. Everyone had a key job except her, as she'd planned to simply watch the audience. Fortunately, she'd asked a few others to do the same, because she was only hearing about half of what Beverly was saying on stage, and only noticing flashes of the buff, shirtless men who paraded up the red carpet and then across the stage.
Or, she was only half-paying attention until she heard Beverly say, "We have one last-minute contestant." Then Jenna started to stand, because what the hell? But Beverly kept talking, and Jenna had to sit again, because her knees were too weak to support her.
"A man who'd initially turned down an invitation to compete in the contest, but I know you all will be happy he changed his mind. Please welcome Reece Walker!"
The music started, and the crowd applauded as Reece strode down the red carpet, climbed the stairs to the stage, and pulled off his shirt--to the absolute delight of the women in the audience.
Reece smiled and flexed his muscles, but Jenna knew him well enough to know he was just going through the motions. What he was really doing was searching the crowd.
He was looking for her.
She wanted to wave. To stand. To do something. But she was too numb. She had no idea what he was doing up there, but she sat glued to her seat, desperate to find out.
"So I guess this is the part where I say something," Reece said. "And I should start by saying that I'm not actually up here to be a contestant. That's why I'm not on your ballot. But I have something to say to someone, and this was the best way I could think of to do it. And since I'm a manager here at The Fix, I have a little pull. So please, don't let my theatrics draw your attention away from our amazing contestants."
He cleared his throat and shifted his stance. To the audience, he probably looked cool and confident. But Jenna could see the nerves.
"I'm here tonight to apologize. To tell the woman I love that I screwed up. That I was so busy staying stuck in my ways and looking at the world through one boring lens, that I forgot to shift around and change my perspective."
He drew a breath. "The thing is, love is supposed to open us up, not close us off. I let my fears blot that out. I've been with the wrong woman so many times that I was scared to admit the right one was in my arms. And I was looking at other people and judging our relationship by them.
"I'm not saying it'll be easy," he continued. "It'll probably be hard at times. But I know it will be an adventure. Love always is, right? Anyway, I should have written this down, because I'm getting lost in my words. I'm not a speaker, and I don't particularly like being on stage. But I had to say this tonight, right now, because I couldn't wait any longer to tell her that I love her. Jenna Montgomery, I love you. I want you. More than that I need you. And even though I screwed up, I'm hoping that you will do me the very great honor of agreeing to be my wife."
She couldn't move. Her body was frozen to the chair, and tears were streaming down her cheeks. And when the spotlight found her--she was going to kill Taylor!--all she could do was nod like an idiot and soundlessly mouth, I love you.
Around her, the crowd burst into applause and Reece leaped off the stage, then hurried to her. He pulled her into his arms, cradling her as he continued toward the back of the bar, and the whole place was on its feet around her, laughing and applauding as Beverly, bless her, took control of the crowd.
He took her through the bar and then outside to the alley where he finally--finally--put her down and kissed her hard, the feel of him against her almost making her melt all over again.
"I can't live without you," he said when they came up for air. "I'm sorry I was a jerk."
"You weren't. I was. I don't want to force you to do something that makes you uncomfortable. I've been calling you all day to tell you that. I just want the two of us."
He pressed his hand to her belly. "Three."
"Yeah," she said, putting her hand over his. "Three."
They kissed again, long and lingering. "I mean it," she said, cupping his face because she had to keep touching him. Had to claim that connection. "I'm okay with not getting married. It's you I want, Reece. Only you."
"I know. I believe you. But you want a wedding, too. And I want to give it to you."
He dropped to one knee, then held out a small box. "I already asked on stage, but now I'm asking just you. Jenna Montgomery, will you marry me?"