He flicks through the rack. “If I have to,” he grumbles, unimpressed. The look on his face is almost comical, it’s filled with so much disgust for the fine clothing in front of him.
I stifle a laugh; this is clearly not his thing either. Where Asher excels in selecting fine suits to wear to work, Cruz and Jagger would prefer to be in their jeans, tees and kutte. I comeacross a black tuxedo with bow tie and all. “I found the perfect thing.” I pull it out and hold it up for him to see, knowing he will probably either ignore my suggestion or hate it.
He raises a brow, looking less angry. “That will do.”
“You’re not going to try it on? What if it doesn’t fit?”
He throws me an unimpressed glare. “A suit’s a suit. If it doesn’t fit, I can wear something else.”
“Until you look like a clown because it doesn’t fit you right, bro.” Asher shakes his head for my benefit. “He has no class.”
I stifle a giggle, knowing how right he is. But it’s kind of what I like about Jagger, he’s unapologetically him. I shrug and glance back at the dresses. I get that it’s a casino and an engagement party that said the dress was formal on the invite, but they all look so over the top, and the thought of getting that dressed up right now just makes me feel uncomfortable. I’m with Jagger on this, something simple and comfortable would be so much better.
“Try the red one,” Jagger snips.
“Fine.” I take the dress off the rack, knowing he won’t give up until I do, and head into the gym where Cruz is still checking himself out in the mirror. “A little privacy,” I mutter in his direction.
“Nope. You watched me dress.” He grins all cheeky toward me.
“You stripped in the living room,” I complain.
He shrugs, his grin widening.
I shake my head and spin away from him, pulling my summer dress over my head. Then I unzip the sparkly number and step into it and shimmy it up and over my hips, my arms sliding through the arm holes cautiously, careful not to damage the fine fabric.
Cruz steps in behind me, zipping it up my back. “Well, fuck me.” He grins all stupidly at my reflection. He looks way toohappy about me in a dress. Normally that kind of reaction would be saved for me naked.
I run my hands over the shimmering fabric. The sleeves sit just off the shoulder, giving me a plunging neckline that shows off plenty of cleavage. The waist is fitted, and the skirt hugs my hips before flaring out at the bottom. There’s also a thigh-high split on my left side. It’s sexy as hell, and even I have to admit I look incredible even without my hair and make-up done.
Cruz wraps an arm around me and forces me to do a little spin for him, then he dips me, his lips finding mine. “It’s perfect. We might not make it out of the house with you looking like this.”
I laugh at his dramatics.
From the doorway Jagger clears his throat. He holds a black box. As he walks toward me, I feel giddy, like how the hell is this my life now. When I saw that rack of dresses, it made me feel sick, with flashes of my past coming back to haunt me. But it shouldn’t have. Because this isn’t like what I had with Valentine at all. This is something entirely different and kind of special. These boys care about every little detail when it comes to me. They see me, all of me, and make me feel alive. I’m not arm candy to them, seen and not heard. They want so much more from me, and even though I know I shouldn’t be allowing myself to get swept away, I want so much more from all of them.
As Jagger approaches, I feel the cool weight of the diamond necklace as he fastens the clasp behind me. The crazy-big diamonds glitter, catching the faint light of the gym. I meet his gaze in the mirror, not able to help the stupid grin. “Maybe I have a little class after all,” he mutters.
I smirk back at him. “Maybe a little.”
Asher wolf whistles from the doorway. When I glance his way, I see he’s holding a much smaller box. Butterflies take off throughout my body. I know this is just a marriage ofconvenience, one set up to keep me safe, but I have real feelings for him and he me, so it’s hard not to let the lines blur. As he walks toward me, he gives me that damn charming grin, the one that makes it to his dimples. “Not the most romantic of places to propose, but this is hardly a conventional situation.” He pops open the box. The solitaire gleams back at me. “Jagger picked it. Nearly came to blows when I wouldn’t agree, but I guess I see why he liked it now. It’s elegant and beautiful just like you.”
“Smooth, asshole,” Jagger snips from behind me, and I know he’s wishing it was him proposing to me. Part of me thought after last night he would find some way to change the rules of the game and marry me instead of his brother, but he hasn’t tried. I wonder if I should be suspicious.
I glance back at Asher, a little teary. It’s not real, Daisy, stop it. But I can’t. I’m getting swept away with all of them. I want this promise they’re offering me. All of them and a future together. “Are we really doing this?”
“Just say yes.” Asher grins.
I raise a brow. “You didn’t ask me.”
He gets down on one knee and grins up at me, holding out the ring. “I know this isn’t conventional, but you know it’s the real deal. I love you with all my heart, and I know both Cruz and Jagger do as well. Will you marry me and make it official?”
I glance back at Cruz then Jagger, feeling like I’m floating. Last night with all of them was a lot. But I want this, a future with all of them and whatever that means. I know I can handle it as long as they’re in my life. “Why not.” I grin back at him, all sassy.
He slides the ring onto my finger then stands. Pulling me into him, he picks me up and spins me around before kissing me.
I know it’s silly and I shouldn’t get swept up in the moment, but I do. I never in my wildest dreams could have imagined the happiness I could feel knowing they want me to be theirs forever.Have I really found my place? A home that can be mine and people who love me? It all feels so surreal.
Chapter 22
