Lucas’s eyes bulged. I laughed.
“I want to marry Sienna, and I wanted you two to know that before I propose.”
They were close, more than siblings usually were, always looking after each other.
Chloe squealed. Lucas laughed, shaking his head.
“Man, you really worked hard at winning Chloe over. She’s your number-one fan.”
“I do what I can,” I replied.
“Well, every report I received was that Sienna’s happy, so this is a great thing.” Then he groaned.
“What?” Chloe and I asked at the same time.
“Nothing. Wondering what the cut-off age is... before they start getting on my case about a steady girlfriend.”
“Lucas. You’re seventeen. I think you’re safe for now,” I said.
“You never know with the Bennetts.”
Truer words were never spoken.
Chloe grinned, rubbing her hands. “I didn’t know you were afraid of that. This is excellent blackmail material. If you bug me, I’ll give them ideas.”
Lucas groaned again, but he was smiling. “I leave for half a year, and she forsakes me as her brother.”
“No... just... you know, filling my Lucas-free time with the Bennett girls.”
“Yeah... I can see you’ve gone over to the dark side. Let’s order.”
We ate three courses. Chloe gave me tips about rings the entire time, with Lucas looking at her as if she’d grown an extra head.
By the time I arrived at Bennett Enterprises, I was already feeling very confident about my plan. Christopher was waiting for me in the lobby. He’d insisted on going with me and spouted off survival tips—his words, not mine—the second I joined him.
“Did Pippa already drill you about rings?” he asked.
“No, she doesn’t even know why I’m coming.”
I’d been in the building a few times since signing the papers for the partnership.
Christopher threw his head back, laughing. “For your sake, I hope you’re right. But decades of experience tell me you’re not.”
The creative department was bewildering, at least compared to the floors above, where everything was orderly and everyone had a separate office. This was an open floor plan with sketches and prototypes scattered on the desks. Pippa was waiting just by the door, hands clasped together.
“Already got the rings on my desk. I have the newest collection here, as well as some of my personal favorites. Plus, Sienna’s favorites.”
I was... stunned.
“How did you know I’m coming for a ring?”
She flashed a cat-ate-the-canary smile. “There are two main reasons anyone ever comes here. One: to talk budgets. Two: pick a ring.”
“That is scarily accurate,” Christopher pointed out.
I laughed. “Well, then. Let’s get started on choosing that ring. I can see it’s a group activity.”
Christopher grinned.