This might become one of the hardest nights of my life, but with them by my side, I know I can get through it.
FOURTEEN
Amelia glidesover to the ballroom, a vision in her long dress, and I can’t help but admire her grace. We follow a step behind, like loyal subjects to our queen. And in a way, that’s exactly what we are. She’s got us on an invisible leash, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’d be her guard dog or lap dog, whatever she needs.
Hell, I’d probably bark if she asked me to.
This feels right, like everything has fallen into place. Us surrounding her, Amelia being our center, our focus. It’s as if all these years of friendship with the guys were leading up to this moment.
She completes us.
It’s a forever thing.I can feel it in my bones.
We enter the ballroom, and the elegant strains of a violinist playing in the corner fill the air. People turn to stare as we pass, but I couldn’t care less.
Let them watch.
Let them be jealous.
Let them talk.
We’re beyond their gossip and judgment. Their whispers and sideways glances mean nothing.
Amelia leads us to a corner table that seats about six. I can’t help but smile.
Old habits die hard, it seems.
Sitting beside her, Oliver pulls out his phone. “Should I book us a flight for tomorrow?” he asks, his fingers hovering over the screen.
Seems like I’m not the only one done with this posh shit.
But I tense, worried we might be pushing too soon, that Amelia’s tendency to flee might kick in. But she just sighs, and I feel my shoulders relax a little.
“Yes, please. Then we have Sunday to try and get over the jet lag before we get back to work Monday…” She pauses, tension visible in her shoulders. “…ifI still have a job.”
“Don’t be silly,” I reassure her, unable to keep the hint of sarcasm from my voice. “Of course you do. Do you think we would have let you go away like that without ensuring that everything would still be waiting for you when we got you back?”
As if I’d let something as trivial as work get in the way.
Her eyes widen, a mix of surprise and gratitude. “You did?”
“It helped that you already submitted a PTO request. Grey only had to move it around a bit.” Misha chimes in.
Amelia catches my eye, and I shrug as if it’s no big deal.
It wasn’t.
Writing an email from“HR”to Langley about her earlier leave could be tricky if discovered. But they’ll never find out.
I’m too good for that.
I’ve covered our tracks better than a cat burying its business.
“Thank you,” Amelia whispers.
Reaching over, I take her hand and press a kiss to the back of it. Her skin is soft under my lips, and I savor the moment. “Thank you for coming back home with us,” I murmur, my eyes locked on hers.
