We weresurroundedby Daddies and their boys, and even if nobody had said so, I was sure Santiago was a Daddy, too. So surely he’d understand? Or at least not laugh at me. That didn’t seem like a thing a good Daddy would do, and if he was friends withourDaddy, he had to be a good one, right?
Okay, settled.
I’d tell Daddy the truth.
If I ever hoped for Jules to trust him completely, and I did, then I had to do the same.
“I was just, um, getting a little worried about what would happen when you went back home, Daddy,” I admitted, my cheeks flaming with embarrassment despite my inner pep talk.
On Daddy’s other side, Jules froze, so I knew I was speaking for both of us even though that was usually Jules’ job.
“Thank you for telling me that,” Daddy said, seriously, his arm tightening around me. And probably around Jules, too.
“Okay, this sounds like my cue to give you three some privacy,” Santiago said with an easy smile. “I’ll just go see if any of the boys I played with over the weekend have made it down to the ballroom yet.”
“Santiago, wait for a moment,” Daddy said as the man turned to walk off. “I’d like you to hear this, too. And I still haven’t formally introduced you to my boys.”
“Hear what?” Jules asked sharply. “Were you waiting to spring something on us? Because if you think I won’t make a scene in public—”
Daddy’s hearty laughter cut Jules off mid-sentence, and Jules had the grace to look a little sheepish, probably remembering the brunch incident, just like I was.
“You can make all the scenes you want, gorgeous,” Daddy said, kissing Jules on the cheek. “I’m here for all of it.”
“But… you’re not,” I blurted, crowding as close as I could to him, as if I could soak up his proximity now to tide me over when he left. “You’re going back to New York.”
“I am,” Daddy agreed gravely. “But Santiago’s firm has been trying to woo me over here for a few years now—”
“Wait,” Santiago cut in, his eyes lighting up. “You’re not telling me you’ve decided to say yes? You’re accepting our offer?”
I held my breath, not entirely sure I was following because it didn’t seem possible that it could mean what it sounded like it did.
“I am,” Daddy said, leaning down to kiss the top of my head. “And as soon as possible.”
Santiago’s mouth dropped open, making him look like a sexy (but not as sexy asourDaddy) fish out of water. Then he snapped it closed and grinned so wide his cheeks creased.
“When did you decide this?” he asked Daddy. “Because the other day, you said…” His eyes flicked to me, and then to Jules. “Ah, I mean, surely you don’t… that is, is the decision… recent?”
“Yes,” Daddy said, laughing at the man’s stumbling attempt not to put his foot in his mouth. “It’s recent. And yes, it’s entirely because of these two. My boys. Santiago, this is Isaac Abrams—”
I blushed, but smiled at him, reeling a little as Daddy’s words started to sink in.
“—and this is Jules Ferreira,” Daddy continued, “the other reason I’ve decided to relocate to London.”
“Wait,” Jules blurted, whirling on Daddy and grabbing his shirt in both hands. “What are you saying, Roman?”
“DaddyRoman,” I corrected him, feeling like my whole body was filled with champagne bubbles.
I’d known it was real, Ihad. But hearing Daddy make itreallyreal like this? I couldn’t believe it.
No, Ididbelieve it.
I was just… I was sohappy.
“Sweetie,” Jules said sharply, his head whipping in my direction. “Don’t be silly.DaddyRoman just told this man he’s going to give up his whole life in another damn country, for two boys he just met this weekend?” His attention snapped back to Daddy, his eyes narrowing. “I don’t know what kind of head game you’re trying to play, but no one believes you would really—mmph.”
Daddy kissed him.
Just hauled him right in and shut him up with his mouth.
