“I’ve always wanted to,” I admit. “Twitch taught me first, and I couldn’t get enough. I needed a hobby, something to focus on outside of work. Riding has been perfect.”
“I’m so jealous,” Sophie murmurs, her eyes locked on my bike. Then she yells across the yard, “Viper!” He glances over, raising an eyebrow. “I want one!” she declares, pointing at my Harley.
Viper laughs, shaking his head. “We’ll see,” he says, but the amused look on his face tells me Sophie will probably get her way.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Sophie says confidently, crossing her arms.
“It’ll be fun to have another woman to ride with.” I laugh, imagining the two of us cruising down the road together. “I’d love that.”
As the celebration continues that evening, I find myself surrounded by the people I care about most. The ol’ ladies are already planning a celebratory dinner, and the sweet butts are chatting excitedly about the engagement.
Twitch makes his way back to me, his eyes soft and full of love. He wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me close. “Are you okay?” he asks, his voice low and intimate.
I nod, leaning into him. “I’m more than okay. I’m happy.”
He smiles and brushes his thumb over my cheek. “Good. That’s all I want.”
Reaper approaches us again, his expression serious but not unkind. “Twitch,” he says, his tone firm. “Take care of her.”
Twitch straightens, his grip on me tightening slightly. “Always.”
Reaper nods, satisfied, and turns to me. “And you—don’t let him get away with anything.”
I laugh, the sound light and carefree. “Don’t worry, I won’t.”
Reaper smirks, then pulls me into another hug. “I’m proud of you, Milly. You’ve been through a lot, but you’ve come out stronger. You deserve this happiness.”
Tears prick my eyes again, but I blink them away. “Thank you,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.
EIGHTEEN
PARTY TIME
Milly
A week after Twitch proposed,we decided to throw an engagement party. Twitch is eager to get married as soon as possible, and honestly, I’m just as excited. We chose a local bar for the celebration so everyone could relax, enjoy themselves, and not have to worry about cooking or cleaning. The ol’ ladies took charge of decorating the entertainment room, filling it with balloons, streamers, and a big Congratulations sign. They even hired a DJ, which has added a fun, lively vibe to the night.
A waiter walks over with a tray of champagne glasses, and I take one, savoring the feeling of being wined and dined. “Thank you,” I say with a smile, and take a small sip. The bubbles tickle my nose, and I glance around the room, soaking in the joy and laughter of everyone here to celebrate with us.
I’ve been planning another vacation with Twitch, but this time, I’m paying for it. I earn good money, and I want him to know that I value him and our relationship. He doesn’t need to feel like the sole provider—I’m a successful woman, and I want to contribute just as much as he does. It’s important to me that he knows we’re equals in this partnership.
“You look beautiful,” Ava says, pulling me from my thoughts. She’s standing beside me, her smile making me feel even more confident.
“Thank you,” I reply, glancing down at my dress. I bought it specifically for tonight—a navy blue cocktail dress with a V neckline and flutter sleeves. “I’ve never spent this much on a dress before, but Sophie talked me into it. She was adamant it was made for me.”
Ava chuckles. “She was right. You look stunning.”
“Do you like the heels?” I ask, extending my leg to show them off. I rarely wear heels, but these matched the dress perfectly, and I have to admit, I like how they make me feel.
“I love them,” Ava says, her eyes sparkling. “You’ve really gotten your confidence back. You’re glowing.”
Her words warm my heart. “I really appreciate that,” I say, glancing down at my engagement ring. “I’ve never felt this good.”
“It’s because you found the right person to spend your life with,” Ava says softly. “I settled for my first husband, and it was the worst mistake of my life. He made me feel like a failure, no matter how hard I tried. But with Reaper...” She lets out a contented sigh, her smile growing. “He makes me feel beautiful and wanted. He’s shown me what love truly is. When you feel true love, you just know you’re meant to be with that person forever.”
Her words resonate deeply with me. Twitch has always made me feel beautiful, even when I’m in sweatpants with a messy bun. He’s never made me feel like I had to be anything other than myself.
Zara walks over, her hands resting on her round belly. She looks radiant, and I can’t help but smile. “How far along are you now?” I ask, reaching out to gently touch her belly.
