“She was driving up the price on purpose?—”
“Obviously she was driving up the price on purpose. That’s what makes it hilarious.” Bea throws her arms around me, squeezing hard. “I’m so proud of you. And also I’m never letting you live this down.”
“I figured.”
“I have so much material now. So much.” She pulls back, eyes bright. “Remember when you gave Seth my exact coffee order so he could impress me? Hazelnut latte, extra shot, oat milk?”
“I was being helpful.”
“You were being a meddling menace.” She grins. “Remember when you cornered Grayson in the driveway for the ‘protective brother talk’ and he just stood there looking bored?”
“He wasn’t bored. He was intimidated.”
“He texted me afterward and said ‘Your brother’s protective. I respect that.’ That’s not intimidated, Ben. That’s amused.”
“Whatever.”
“And remember when you texted me asking ‘which one are you into? taking bets’ like my love life was a sporting event?”
“I was showing interest.”
“You were being nosy!”
“The point is,” Bea says, poking me in the chest, “you’ve been the overprotective big brother my entire life. And now I finally—FINALLY—get to watch you be the lovesick idiot who spends a month’s rent on a romantic gesture.”
“I own my cabin. I don’t pay rent.”
“That’s not the point.”
“It’s a little bit the point.”
“It’s really not.” She’s grinning so wide it looks painful. “Welcome to the other side, big brother. It’s fun over here.”
Grayson steps forward. “For what it’s worth, that was smooth as hell.”
“Thanks.”
“Expensive,” Seth adds. “But smooth.”
River just nods, that quiet solidarity between alphas. “She looked happy. Tessa. When you won.”
I glance toward the stage. Tessa’s still there, talking to Mayor Bradley, but she’s looking at me. Even from across the room, I can see her smile.
“Yeah,” I say. “She did.”
“Go get her,” Bea says, shoving me toward the stage. “And Ben?”
“Yeah?”
“I really am proud of you.” Her voice is softer now. Sincere. “You deserve this. All of it.”
“Thanks, Bea.”
“Now go. Before I start crying and ruin my makeup.”
“You’re wearing makeup?”
“GO.”
