“You guys!” Natalia sniffed, trying to stop her tears.
“Nat…” My ex-fake-wife and current-fiancée-to-be-real-wife took a seat next to her friend, hugging her close.
“Congratulations,” Kali smiled at me, opening her arms.
“Thank you,” I chuckled as I gave her a hug. “I assume we got your approval then?”
“One hundred percent!” Kali smiled bright, turning to Francesca as she got up. “I’m so happy for you!”
While Francesca, Maria and Kali looked at the ring, I walked over and took a seat next to Natalia, who was at the end of her pregnancy.
“So, how are you feeling?”
She smacked my arm, making me laugh. “Uh, congratulations, smartass!” I laughed as she pulled me into a tight hug. “Ugh, I’m so happy for both of you. I wish you all the happiness in the world!”
“Thank you, Natalia.”
She pulled back and looked me dead in the eye. “Are you happy?”
I smiled. “I’ve never been happier.”
She returned my smile and slapped my arm. “Take good care of my best friend.”
“I do.”
“Okay, I’m done.” Francesca flipped her hair, taking a deep breath. “We can celebrate you now.”
Maria laughed hard, throwing her head back as Francesca wrapped her arms around her.
“Happy birthday!” My wife cheered. “I’m sorry, I just had to tell you.”
The real reason we were here, was to celebrate Maria’s birthday. With Natalia having less than a month until her delivery, we all thought it would be nicer this way.
“I love you. This is the best gift you could’ve given me.”
Francesca pulled back with a raised brow. “Girl, don’t lie. I got your Dolce & Gabbana right there.”
Maria gasped as she spotted the huge bag in the entryway, trying to peek over her shoulder.
Francesca hugged her tighter. “You can look later!”
All the girls started laughing, making me chuckle too.
“What’s with all the shrieking?” Trevor asked, bringing a bowl of fresh fruit for Natalia, taking a seat next to her.
Francesca allowed herself to fall into my lap, knowing I’d catch her with ease. Wrapping my arms around her waist, she held onto my neck as she flashed her diamond to the guys.
“Matteo and I are engaged!”
Zach’s brows shot up with a laugh. “What?”
Trevor slapped his shoulder, his mouth open in shock. “No!”
Zane laughed, the first one to step up and congratulate us.
The room was still buzzing – laughing, disbelief, joy – when Gìo walked in from the kitchen.
Francesca was still curled comfortably in my lap, warm and light and real, her ring catching the afternoon sun as it streamed through the penthouse windows.
