I grinned, but let it go. I’d thought my relationship with Rafe and Jordan had been complicated in those early days? We had nothing on the train wreck of Mattie and Zach. I was still pretty sure she would end up killing him and feeding the body to sharks.
Mattie finished my makeup off with some dramatic false lashes, then stood back to admire her work.
“Come on, my gorgeous friend. Let’s head out and drink until we vomit.” She beamed at me, all too excited by that idea.
I shuddered at the mere thought, but it would be nice to have a night out and relax. Mattie’s driver was waiting out front for us, and when he opened the door, I squealed at the familiar face inside. “Nolan!”
Leaping out, he wrapped his arms around me, hauling me off the ground as he twirled me. “I missed your gorgeous-as-fuck face,” he shouted loudly enough that every single person staying in the swanky Swiss Hotel would have heard us.
Nolan had gone on to play soccer for a New American team, sticking it to the royal traditions of crown heirs. Personally, I loved his life choice because my base was between New America and Switzerland, so we saw him all the time. “I didn’t know you were going to be here tonight,” I said as he dragged me into the car.
He scoffed. “You wound me. I would never miss one of my sister’s birthdays. Not for a fucking billion dollars.”
Mattie snorted out a dark laugh. “Remember when we were sixteen and you missed my birthday because you were off fucking around with that hot yoga instructor.”
Nolan blinked at her. “Look, I just forgot. It happens. And… he was really flexible.”
Mattie glared at him. “We were born on the same fucking day! How could you forget?”
I settled back, my joy at hearing them bicker suddenly the best thing to happen on my birthday. Only seeing my princes would make this day any better, but since that wasn’t happening, I’d just have to think of the video sex I’d had with both of them this morning—separately of course—when they’d each called to wish me happy birthday.
“We’re here,” Mattie squealed, interrupting mythoughts.When we emerged, cameras flashed as the media took photos of us. All of us ended up online way more than I enjoyed, but there was a certain notoriety that came with being best friends with royals and dating two of them, not that the world had quite figured it out yet.
A lot of people knew, but nothing had been confirmed, and so far we’d skated under the radar—something I hoped continued for a long time.
The long line out the front of Fantasy,the hottest nightclub to grace New York, was bypassed by my best friend as she dragged me right up to the security at the front. We were waved inside without a second glance, and Nolan was already moving to the heavy beat that encased us as we entered.
“Drinks first,” Mattie shouted, and we made our way to the VIP area. There was no point in staying in the main throng of people—we’d end up getting mobbed and the night would be no fun at all as the security around us dealt with them.
The life of a royal. A life I was growing used to.
Once we’d made it past the barrier, ascending to the platform above the main floor, I started to relax and look forward to my first drink. My heels weren’t even hurting, and I took that as a good sign that I was going to enjoy my birthday dancing the night away.
Mattie led us to a private booth; nearby, waiters stood around with alcohol-filled trays ready for us. “Come on, Vi,” my friend said, hurrying forward.
I laughed, but the sound was cut off as two figures stepped into view, side by side, decked out in suits.
Fuck.
My knees buckled, and if Nolan hadn’t caught me, I’d have ended up on the floor.
“Don’t you fucking cry,” Mattie warned me as I scrambled up. “You’ll ruin my makeup.”
My feet were moving, and I pushed through the crowd until I could throw myself into their arms. Despite Mattie’s warning, hot tears spilled over as they held me close, the familiar scents of my princes washing over me.
“I love a happy ending,” Nolan trilled from behind us, and another sob escaped me.
When I pulled back, I examined their faces like I hadn’t seen them—in the flesh, that was—for years, when in reality it had only been a month. Rafe was darker and harder than he’d been in school, maturity turning him into the sort of dangerous man that no one wanted to fuck with. So, actually, a lot like he’d been in school, only hotter.
Jordan, too, had grown up a lot. His father’s near-death had forced him to step into a role of leadership, and he was already beloved by his people.
They were both loved by me as well, and even though on occasion I feared that one day they were going to tell me they had to move on and get married to a nice royal that could give them heirs, neither of them had ever indicated that was the case.
They talked about forever with me. I wanted forever.
“How are you here?” I asked, my hands gripping both of their suit jackets as I held them close to me. Jordan’s hand was on my back, Rafe’s on my hips, and they held onto me with the same desperation.
“We will never miss your birthday,” Jordan rumbled, his lips dipping down to press against mine. I opened my mouth and accepted the kiss, drowning in his taste and in having him back in my arms once again. When we pulled apart, Rafe moved in for his turn.
