As Derek drove them home after the interview, Evelyn looked out the window, her mind still swirling with thoughts of the incredible day they''d had.


    The live proposal had been thest thing she''d expected, and her cheeks still hurt from smiling so much.


    She reached for Derek''s hand, squeezing it lightly. "I still can''t believe you did that on live television," she


    teased.


    Derek chuckled as he parked the car in front of their house, "I wanted everyone to know how much I love you."


    "Still, that was... surprising," she said with a grin, and Derekughed.


    "I''m d I could surprise you," he said as he got out of the car and opened her door.


    Before Evelyn could get out of the car, Derek leaned inside and kissed her, "You know I love you, right?" He asked, and she grinned


    "Yeah. I know. And I love you, too"" she said as she got out of the car, and they both headed for the front


    door.


    "I''m going to have to give Rayna a call so we can officially start nning the wedding. I wonder if she saw the interview. She''s going to be so upset you didn''t carry her along," Evelyn said with a giggle, which died on her lips the moment Derek opened the door, and a chorus of voices shouted, "Surprise!"


    Evelyn froze in the doorway, her eyes widening as she took in the scene before her. The living room had been transformed into a warm party space. Twinkling fairy lights adorned the walls, soft music yed in the background, and a table near the corner wasden with a beautifully decorated cake, trays of pastries, and an array of food and drinks.


    Her parents stood near the center of the room, beaming with pride. Derek''s parents were beside them, their hands sped as they exchanged knowing smiles. Rayna and Ethan waved from their own corner, and Maya stood near the food table with Liam, both grinning widely. But it was Samantha, holding a bouquet of daisies and bouncing on her toes, who stole Evelyn''s heart.


    "What... what is this?" Evelyn asked, her voice a mix ofughter and disbelief.


    Derek slipped an arm around her waist, guiding her inside. "This, my love, is our engagement party."


    "Surprise!" Samantha yelled again, making everyoneugh. She hurried over to join her parents and kissed Evelyn''s belly, saying hello to her younger sibling before handing the bouquet to her mother.


    "Thank you, darling," Evelyn said as she took the bouquet from Samantha and kissed her forehead.


    Evelyn turned to Derek again, her eyes sparkling with surprise. "When did you even have time to n this?


    How did I not know?"


    Derek shrugged, his grin mischievous. "I didn''t want you to know. That''s the whole point of a surprise." Evelyn turned to Rayna, narrowing her eyes yfully.


    "And you? You knew about this, didn''t you?"


    Rayna giggled, looking entirely too pleased with herself. "Of course I did. I baked the cake and pastries!"


    Evelyn gasped, pointing an usatory finger at her friend. "And yet you were the one asking me to propose to him just yesterday! You''re terrible!"


    Raynaughed, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I was just pulling your leg. Besides, it was so much fun watching Derek steal the show. Congrattions, you two," she said as she embraced Evelyn while Ethan pped Derek''s back as he congratted him.


    Their parents came forward to embrace and congratte them and then Maya stepped forward, pulling Evelyn into a tight hug. "Congrattions, Evelyn! You deserve all the happiness in the world."


    "Thank you, Maya,, Evelyn murmured, her heart full.


    As Maya stepped back to congratte Derek, Evelyn nced past Maya to Liam, who was standing with his hands in his pockets, with a small smile on his face.


    "Liam! It''s so good to see you."


    Liam stepped forward, shaking her hand warmly.


    "Congrattions, Evelyn. I stopped by to convince Maya to hang out with me, but I walked into a party instead. They invited me to stay, and, well, here I am."


    Evelyn chuckled, her smile soft. "I''m d you stayed."


    "Come now, Evie. We,dies, have to start nning the wedding at once," Reba said, and Evelynughed as she followed them while Derek joined the men, leaving Maya and Liam no choice but to part as well.


    As thedies discussed the wedding n, the men drank and talked about everything ranging from business to sports and politics, and each of them contributed adequately to the conversations.


    Samantha darted around the room, happily delivering


    slices of cake to everyone while the soft strains of music kept the atmosphere light and joyful.


    After some time, they all converged again, and Reba announced, "So, we''ve chosen a date for the wedding."


    "Already?" Evelyn''s father asked, and theyughed.


    "Yes. The wedding will be in three weeks," ire said with a wide smile.


    "Honey, what about your birthday party?" Derek''s father asked his wife, and she shook her head.


    "I won''t be celebrating my birthday party as nned.


    This is all the celebration I need. I''ll hand out the wedding invitation instead of my birthday invitation," she said with a proud smile.


    "Will three weeks be enough to n a wedding?" Ethan asked thoughtfully, hoping his hand would bepletely fine by then.


    "Even a week is enough to n a wedding if you have the money and know what you want," ire assured him.


    "Don''t worry about a thing, Evie; all you need to do is rx and tell us what you want. Between your Mom, Maya, Rayna, and me, you don''t need a nner," Reba said, and Samantha pouted.


    "Me too," she said, eyeing her grandmother with disapproval for not including her.


    "Oh, my darling. How could I leave you out? Of course, you''re the best nner in the house," Reba corrected, and they allughed


    "What if my arm is not healed by then?" Ethan asked Derek with a frown.


    "It should be. If it''s not, I''ll stand in for you," Liam suggested with a teasing smile.


    "And deprive me the chance of looking dashing before my girlfriend? Never!" Ethan said, and thediesughed.


    "Here I was thinking you were


    worried about your arm because you were concerned about not being able to assist me properly," Derek said dryly with a shake of his head and Ethan grinned at him.


    "Hopefully your arm will be fine by then. The doctor said it needs a week or two to heal, Rayna assured Ethan.


    "Although we won''t be having a long train, but you two should be part of the train," Evelyn said, looking from Maya to Liam, "and you guys need to bond over the


    nning," she said, referring to Derek and Liam.


    "Guys don''t bond over wedding nning. We bond over drinks and sports," Ethan said, and Derek eyed him.


    "If my FIANCEE says we should bond over nning, then we will do that," Derek said, and everyoneughed.


    "Good. I see you two having a very sessful home and happy family with that attitude. Women like to be right even when they''re wrong," Derek''s father said, his wife raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? When am I ever wrong?" She asked, and he shook his head.


    "Never. You''re always right," he said, and everyoneughed.


    The evening passed in a blur ofughter, heartfelt toasts and stories as Derek''s and Evelyn''s parents talked about how they met and their proposal stories.


    As the party wound down, Maya saw Liam off to his car when it was time for him to leave for his shift at the clinic.


    "I will admit," Liam began, leaning against his car. I wanted to spend some time alone with you tonight,


    but this was a pretty great party."


    Maya smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.


    "It was."


    Liam''s gaze softened. "Samantha is so happy. I''m happy for them."


    Maya nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I''ve been thinking, Liam. About us."


    Liam straightened, a flicker of hope lighting his eyes.


    "And?"


    She hesitated, then smiled softly. "I think we should be friends..."Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "No way. I''m not interested in being just friends with you," Liam cut in immediately, and Maya raised a brow.


    "I thought you wanted us to be friends?" She asked, and he shook his head.


    "Yes, I did. But that was before I realized I had feelings for you. I don''t want to just be friends with you," Liam said, and Maya rolled her eyes yfully.


    "As I was saying before, you rudely interrupted," she said, and Liam chuckled.


    "I think we should be friends for a while. Maybe we can spend a few weeks getting to know each other better. And if you''re sure about how you feel after that, we can think about dating. If you don''t mind dating a student, that is."


    Liam didn''t miss a beat. "I don''t mind dating a student as long as that student is you," he said with a grin.


    Mayaughed, taking a step back when he moved closer with a naughty smile. "Don''t jump the gun, Liam. Remember, we''re starting as friends."


    Liam smirked, his voice low and teasing. "Friends who kiss? ''Cause that''s the only friendship I want," he said, winking at her as he pouted his lips for a kiss.


    Maya''sughter rang out, bright and carefree. "Not a chance! Everyone''s inside, and I don''t need them watching."


    "I don''t care if everyone knows how much J love to kiss you," Liam said, his tone light but sincere.


    Maya shook her head, stillughing as she backed toward the door. "Goodnight, Liam. I''ll see you tomorrow."


    Before he could respond, she disappeared inside, leaving him smiling after her.


    When Maya returned to the living room, all eyes turned to her, grins and knowing looks spread across their faces. "Someone looks awfully happy," Derek teased, raising an eyebrow.


    Mayaughed, flopping onto the couch. "Leave me alone."


    The room erupted intoughter, the warmth and joy of the evening wrapping around Maya like a nket.


    "You both look really good together," ire said with a grin.


    "Yeah. He''s a fine young man. They


    both kept gazing at each other from across the room. If I didn''t know better, I''d think it was also their engagement party," Derek''s mother said, and everyoneughed while Maya blushed.


    "You''re all terrible" Maya murmured shyly, making themugh even more.


    Maya had a wide smile on her face as she watched them all, her heart swelling with gratitude. She was surrounded by love,ughter, and the promise of a bright future. She was grateful for the turn that her life had taken.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!