He drops the towel. “Only you get the reveal.” He trots over to his suits and then gets ready as I watch for another minute. “Lose interest?”
“Unfortunately, no. I have to finish getting ready.”
“I think you’re perfect the way you are.”
“Yes, but I still have to brush my hair, handsome. We all can’t towel dry our hair and walk out looking stunning.”
“Sorry.” He kisses my cheek and then pats my ass before walking away to sit on the bed and slip on his socks. There’s something so domestic about getting ready together that feels natural. I love it. My heart pumps out of my chest thinking about it.
****
We arrive downstairs, and the crowd has gathered at the restaurant. I can’t believe he did this for me. Standing front and center is Jack, with Petra on his arm. I smile slightly until I see his grow. Then his arms open up, and I can’t stop myself. “I’ve missed you, Jackass.”
“I’ve missed you too. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean what I said.”
“I know. I just…”
“Can we go talk for a minute?”
“Sure—that room over there,” Julien says.
“Thanks.”
Jack leads us over there before telling Julien to watch over Petra.
“So let me get this out before I forget my train of thought. That day, it had nothing to do with you. I know you were talented enough, smart enough to kill the competition, get any position you wanted. It was this man I didn’t trust. Yes, I trust him now. Hell, I left my wife in his care because I trust him now, but at the time, I didn’t know someone could love you the way you needed to be loved.”
“It happened for you and Petra.”
“Yes, and I knew how I felt. That was different….Petra was different. Fuck, Marilyn, I wasn’t a mind reader. All I knew was that you were drinking and the guy was after you, only to find out he was your new boss. It scared me because what if you used me as an example of love? I was Petra’s boss, and I loved her. Maybe you felt this guy was the same way.”
“So if he was only playing me, you’d feel as if you’re the one to blame for setting the expectation.”
“Yes.”
“What changed?”
“Well, you didn’t talk to me, but then I saw the video online and you two had no idea who the other person was. You met by chance, and the love between you looked real. Then he told me about his plan and how he wanted for us to fix our relationship because he knew it was upsetting you.”
“I didn’t tell him it was.”
“That’s the thing—you didn’t have to, sis. He loves you, so he knows.”
“I know he loves me.”
“Good, because I’m hoping to give you away tomorrow, if that’s okay.”
“I’d love that.” We hug and rush back out to the dinner party. I sit next to Julien, who can’t wait to touch me. Dinner is great, and my friends are ready to help me prepare for tomorrow.
Julien has now been relegated to another suite, and all the women have gathered in our suite.
“Ladies, thank you. I can’t believe we’re doing this.”
“Your man is insistent, and so is your brother. Between the two of them, we made it happen overnight.”
“So voila. Please choose whichever one you like best.” They show me an array of five dresses.
Slapping my hands to my cheeks, I shake my head and fight back the tears of joy. “I can’t believe it.”