Numbness relaxed my hand on the phone. “I’m sorry, what?”
She chuckled a rich laugh that calmed my nerves. “We’d love for you to share your story. How you stood up for yourself and your relationship despite public scrutiny is exactly what I’m looking for. You took control instead of hiding away and letting others define you. That’s exactly the kind of message we want to promote.”
Wow. I mouthed the word at Dante, who kissed me and rocked us side to side.
“I’d be honored.”
We finalized details and I hung up, clinging to Dante and laughing so loud Julian and Alexander spilled from the bedroom, still rumpled and sleepy with pillow creases on their cheeks.
Julian ran a hand through his hair. “What happened?”
“Harper’s a badass who saved the company.” Dante handed me off to Julian, who swung me around in a bear hug. “And I think this calls for a celebration. I’m thinking Marcel’s.”
“Definitely.” Julian patted my ass and grinned. “There are new dresses in the closet.”
“Can Lila come too? I want her to celebrate with us.” I clutched my phone to my chest, the giddy excitement fizzing in my veins like champagne.
Alexander twirled me toward him. “Of course. She is always welcome.”
Hours later, we entered Marcel’s to a fanfare of welcoming smiles.
Lila lingered behind me in a stunning burgundy gown, her brown eyes going wide. “Wow. I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“Me either.” I tried to keep my mouth from hanging open, but the Michelin star restaurant lived up to its reputation. Exposed brick warmed with the shifting flickers of candlelight. Soft music played in the background and the wineglasses probably cost more than my rent.
A man in a tux led us to a private table at the back, away from prying eyes and curious stares.
Dante sat on my left, Alexander on my right, and Julian across from me with Lila beside him.
I ran my finger down the edge of the gold-embossed menu and sighed. “It’s all so pretty.”
“You’re pretty.” Julian cupped his chin in his hands and winked at me. “Green is a good color on you.”
I blushed and picked at the emerald green skirt. I’d almost gotten lost in the closet, the sheer number of dresses turning my brain to mush. I’d settled on the green because of the flowing skirt and I liked how the material felt against my skin.
Lila caught my eye and wiggled her eyebrows.
I reached for my water glass and caught Dante watching me with that intense expression that made my stomach flip. “What?”
“Nothing.” He shrugged, but one hand found mine under the table and laced our hands together. “Just thinking about how lucky we are.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Julian sipped his wine and grinned at me over the rim.
Alexander cleared his throat, and I glanced his way in time to see him sliding a hand behind me. He gripped the back of my neck and ran his thumb across the exposed skin, sending a shudder of heat down my spine.
“Harper,” Dante said my name in that commanding tone that never failed to make my knees weak. “These last few months have been the hardest of our lives. Losing you, then finding you again and fighting to keep you has forced us to reevaluate everything we thought we knew about love.”
“And what we’re willing to do for it.” Alexander tapped his fingers along my spine, the slow cadence delicious against my bare skin. “I spent my entire life making sure every decision was the right one. You walked into our office and turned everythingupside down. You made me realize that being safe does not equal happiness.”
Julian lowered his hands from his chin and met my eyes across the table. “I’ve always been the reckless one, but you’re fearless in ways I’ve never known. You stood up to the world for us, for our family.”
Our family. I loved the sound of that. My throat tightened, keeping me from responding.
They moved as one, bringing their bodies closer and closer until all three knelt in front of me. Three gorgeous, powerful men on their knees in front of me while Lila squealed and clapped.
I’d never experienced anything more surreal. This could not be happening.
Dante reached into his jacket and pulled out a small velvet box. He opened it facing me, and I forgot how to breathe. Three rings nestled inside the box, each one unique but designed as a set. A sapphire surrounded by diamonds sat between a ring with a pearl center in an intricate gold setting and another with an emerald that caught the candlelight and twinkled.
