"No champagne for me. How do you know her?" I push because I've never seen Julian so flustered. He's always the one who is in complete control. Yet, right now, perspiration is dotting his upper lip and his hand is fisted so tightly around the tumbler of scotch he's holding that I'm certain it's going to shatter into a million pieces at our feet.
He takes a drink from the glass. "Why all the questions?"
"I want you to be as happy as I am." I glance over to where Smith is deep in conversation with two men. "I love you and I want that for you."
"I love you too." He leans forward to brush his lips against my cheek. "I am happy."
"Does Isadora make your heart pound the way it does when you look at Maya?"
"My heart isn't pounding, Brynn."
I glance at his neck and the vein that's visible over the collar of his starched white dress shirt. "Don't lie to yourself, Julian. You don't have to stay with Isadora forever."
"I care for her."
"I'm crazy in love with Smith," I counter. "I race home from work every day, so I can see him. I can't imagine a day withoutkissing him. He's in my heart, Julian. I can feel him in there with every beat it takes."
He glances back at Maya. "I'm happy for both of you."
I exhale harshly. "I trust you to know what's best for you. I'm always around if you want to talk to me, you know that, don't you?"
"I'm here for you too." He squeezes my hand. "When are you going to make an honest man out of Smith?"
I'm wondering the same thing myself. We've taken every step but the one where my great-grandmother's ring lands on my finger. Pike and I moved in with Smith four months ago. I put my place up for sale and helped Sydney move her stuff into the extra bedroom at Adley's apartment. They hit it off immediately and now when I go see one of my best friends, I get to see them both at the same time.
"I have a surprise for him tonight."
He eyes my face. "Whatever it is, he's going to love it. He's a good man, Brynn. The best man I know."
He is. He's helped me immensely these past few months. He's gone to therapy with me so I can finally let go of the grief and anger that has haunted me since my grandma died.
Smith's been by my side as I've reconnected with my family. He's gone to Sunday dinners at my parents' apartment with me and held my hand while I made small talk with my dad.
Things are in a better place with Fulton and me now. We lunch together every second Wednesday at a deli we used to go to when I was a little girl. He leaves his phone at his office and focuses every ounce of his attention on me.
We have a long road to get things to where we want them to be, but we're moving forward.
"Did he tell you that he got a tattoo?" I ask, proud of the fact that Smith chose to a get a tattoo on the left side of his chest thatmatches the one on my elbow. It's a simple heart with the wordfamilywritten inside of it.
I took inspiration for mine from a drawing my grandma did inside the birthday card she gave me when I was fourteen. Smith took inspiration for his from my tattoo.
Julian laughs. "Smith? He did that? Tattoos hurt like hell. I didn't think he had it in him."
"How would you know how much tattoos hurt?"
He shoots me a look. "That's none of your business."
I giggle as I kiss his cheek. "You're a tough one to figure out. I like that about you."
"Wereyou and your brother plotting the takeover of more of Manhattan's real estate?" Smith pulls me into a quiet corner of the now crowded room. "I was admiring you from afar when you were talking to him. Jesus, woman, your body is killer in that dress."
"You like?" I spin around so he can catch of glimpse of me from all angles.
"I love." He tugs me into his chest. "I want to go home."
"You have tomorrow off." I look down at the silver watch on my wrist. "No early beddy-bye time for my man tonight. You'll enjoy yourself at this party and then I'll blow you on the ride home in the backseat of the car."
He glances down at the front of his tuxedo pants. "Thanks for that. My cock is at full attention now."
