The world was still golden around us when the first sound broke through—two pairs of hands clapping in sync.
Startled, I turned toward the sound.
"Bravo," Aria's voice rang out, delighted and proud all at once. "Absolutely nailed it."
My head whipped toward the shadows. Out from behind the hedges came Aria, her curls bouncing, grin wide as she strode forward like she owned the moment. Cameron followed at a slower pace, hands shoved in his pockets, pretending he wasn't deeply invested but failing miserably.
I blinked, wide-eyed, tears still streaking down my cheeks. "A—Aria? I thought you said you had that family meeting tonight?"
Aria swept in and hugged me tight, laughing into my shoulder. "That's no way to talk to the person who basically co-directed your proposal, sweet cheeks." She pulled back just enough to see my shocked face and smirked. "What, you thought Mr. Tall, Dark, and Repressed here planned all this by himself? Please. He needed me."
