“Um, hell yes it’s scary.” I bubbled up a laugh. “I mean, this guyapologizesright away for his mistakes and holds himself accountable. I didn’t think men still did that.”
My sister laughed. “The good men do.”
“So it’s getting serious, huh?” Deke asked. He was looking between me and Javier. Javier wrapped an arm around me as he gave me his attention, waiting for my response.
“We’re not putting any titles on it,” I said, holding his gaze a few seconds before focusing on Deke. “But it seems to be getting there.”
“Well, don’t get any ideas about proposing to her at my wedding, Valdez,” Deke said.
Javier scoffed. “Why would I do something like that?”
“I’m just saying.” Deke tossed his hands into the air. “Some people do it and think it’s a romantic gesture. That shit is selfish—unless you ask the bride and groom, of course. Can’t just take away from their big day like that.”
“Can I hook up with somebody at your wedding?” EJ asked, smirking.
“Absolutely not,” Davina countered. “Keep it in your pants.”
Deke snorted. “Get the fuck outta here.”
EJ threw his hands into the air. “I swear I can’t win, man. Next time we do this, I’m bringing a girl. I feel like a third wheel right now.”
“What girl?” Davina asked. “Is there someone in particular?”
EJ seemed to hesitate. “No. Just whoever.”
I looked at Davina at the same time as she looked at me. We both knew he was lying.
A group of women shrilled in the distance, and EJ examined them over his shoulder. Three women eyed him right back, smiling and batting their lashes.
“I think that’s my cue, ladies and gents.” EJ rose from his chair. “A foursome sounds about right, doesn’t it?”
“You are terrible,” Javier groused with a slow and exhausted roll of his eyes.
“What happened to not getting yourself trapped?” Deke watched EJ push his chair in. “’Cause that, my guy, looks like a huge trap.”
“One more night of living won’t kill me.” EJ took off just as quickly as he spoke, ducking under the velvet ropes to leave the VIP section.
A waitress appeared and set down a new round of drinks. I had no idea when someone had put another order in but was grateful for it.
“Let’s make a toast,” I said, raising my glass.
“Okay.” Javier picked up his drink with his free hand. “To what?”
“To amazing futures. To happiness ... and hope.”
Javier looked at me for so long I thought I’d said something wrong. Then a smile tugged at one corner of his mouth, and he lifted his glass. “I like that.”
“To amazing futures, happiness, and hope.” Deke lifted his glass too. Davina followed suit, and we all met in the middle with a clink, then sipped right after.
Being around my sister and Deke made me feel a whole lot better. Seeing them together made me realize just how powerful love and hope could be. Those two things were what fueled them, what had created their bond, and what had placed them exactly where they were now. Committed and 100 percent in love.
As Javier pulled me deeper under his arm and I rested my head on his chest, I thought for once that I could have it too.
Hope. Happiness. And eventuallylove.
Once we made it through this battle, we’d be stronger and better.
Nothing would be able to stop us.
