I don’t share intimate details, but I no longer feel any need to keep secrets from her or anyone else. I’m looking forward to spending a fun day with Lacy, helping her prepare to be a mom.
“I’d like to see you in maternity clothes,” Cade says as he gives me a hand up from the floor. He pulls me close to him once I’m standing.
“Someday. Maybe next year.” The five of us have talked about children, and I know the Evans brothers will be amazing dads, but for now I’m looking forward to being an aunt. I also like the idea of having the men all to myself for a little while longer.
“Cade and I have a tee time with your dad tomorrow morning,” Knox reminds me. Though my father was fairly surprised at my choice of partners – and quantity of partners – he gets along great with all four of my men. He’s also pretty thrilled to be able to go golfing anytime he wants. He jokes with Lacy and me that he’d been hoping for at least one good son-in-law, and he ended up with eight.
“Have you heard from your dad lately?” I ask.
“He called last week,” Knox says. “Apparently, Carol is planning a big wedding for the fall. When I find out the date, I’ll let you know.”
“That will be nice. I’ll look forward to meeting her.”
“Would you want to marry us, B?” Ryder asks. “If we could, I mean.”
I blink a few times quickly, feeling a sting of emotion prickle at my eyes. “Of course I would,” I say quickly. “I want us to be together forever.” We’ve never talked about marriage before, and I know it’s not a legal possibility for the five of us.
“We want that too,” Knox says.
“We could have some sort of commitment ceremony,” Cade suggests.
“I don’t need a ceremony or any sort of fussy event. I just like the idea of us being bound together.”
“Like with ropes?” Logan teases. “We can definitely get into some bondage, if you want.”
I give him a playful shove, though I absolutely would not mind being tied up by these men.
Three nights later, I get home from visiting my parents’ store to find a note at the door.
Go to the bedroom.
I’m expecting to find my men waiting there for me naked but instead there’s a garment bag lying across the bed with another note:
Put this on.
The bag holds a long, sheer white dress accented with small hints of lace and delicate beads. It fits well, and it’s beautiful and formal, but with a beachy vibe that I love. I freshen my makeup and twist my hair up in a style that complements the dress.
When I exit the bedroom, there’s a new note on the floor just outside the door.
Come to the pool.
We often eat outdoors at the big table by the pool. Maybe they planned a special dinner, like the one I made for our anniversary?
It’s a beautiful night, not too warm, with a soft breeze.
When I round the corner, I find all four of them. They’re standing in a row, all of them wearing suits, and looking more stunningly handsome than ever. They’re impeccably groomed, and they look … nervous?
Walking over, I notice that the dining table is bare except for a few tealight candles.
“Hi,” I say, suddenly feeling a throwback pang of shyness. Each of the men returns my greeting, and up close, I can definitely confirm that they do look slightly nervous and very serious.
“Hi,” Knox says, his eyes softening. “You look beautiful in that dress.”
In the ocean air, the bottom of the dress swirls gently around my legs. The other three men voice their agreement.
“Thank you. You all look especially gorgeous yourselves. But what’s going on?”
Knox’s smile soothes my nerves. He steps forward and takes my hand. “Bianca, we want to spend the rest of our lives with you, and we each want to make that commitment to you.”
He pulls a small box from his pocket, and opens it to reveal a delicate band featuring a round diamond. From his other pocket, he produces a tissue and uses it to wipe the tears that I can’t contain.
“I love you, Bianca, and I want to be with you forever. To protect you, cherish you, and make you smile every day.” He slides the ring on my finger, kisses me tenderly, and turns toward Logan, who’s standing next to us.
Logan’s holding a ring identical to his brother’s in one hand; he reaches for me with the other. “I love you, Bianca. Being with you has made me a better man, and I promise to always be the man you need. One of four, anyway.”
All of us laugh at Logan’s joke and I swipe at fresh tears as he puts his ring on my finger, nestling it against Knox’s.