“Let me see again!” London grabs my hand and moves it so my engagement ring catches the light. “I love the pink! It’s perfect for you, Ellie.” She leans over and kisses my cheek.
“Thank you.” I feel like that’s all I’ve been saying for the last ten minutes.
The waiter returns with four champagne glasses and the chilled bottle of Prosecco. I suppose if you’re going to drink Italian champagne, the best place to do it is at a high-end Italian restaurant.
When our glasses are full, we raise them for a toast.
“I’d like to say something,” Jett announces.
“Oh shit,” I hear Kayne mutter.
“Shut up, idiot,” Jett snaps. “I just wanted to say that I’m elated this story has a happy ending. God knows we all needed it, not just you two.”
“Cheers,” Kayne says hastily.
“No,” Jett pulls his glass back. “Quit ruining my moment,” he spits.
“Fine.” Kayne drops his head and huffs.
“I want to relay something someone very wise once told me. A man’s most precious possession is the woman who walks by his side. And I don’t think you could have found a more perfect woman.” Jett clinks Kayne’s glass. Kayne stares at him idly with a glint in his eye and ghost of a smile playing on his lips.
“I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
“You couldn’t have said it at all. You suck at heartfelt speeches.” Jett gulps his Prosecco.
“I’m not so sure about that,” I grin behind my glass right before I take a sip. The champagne is delectably sweet, clean, and crisp. Delicious.
Dinner moves swiftly as we dine on flaky bread, fennel and aged pecorino salad, filet mignon with a balsamic glaze, and indulge in several more bottles of expensive Prosecco. By the time dessert rolls around, not only am I stuffed, but feeling no pain as well.
“You know what I think you guys should do,” London says as she drains the last drops of champagne from her glass, “and it may sound crazy, but I think you two should do it while you’re here.”
All three of us look at her strangely.
“Not that. I know you do that.” She sticks her tongue out and laughs. “I mean get married. You should totally find a deserted beach at sunset and get married.”
“I’m sure Ellie would want her family there,” Jett says.
I nod, glancing at Kayne. He’s staring at London stoically. A little tingle of worry runs down my spine. Did she just spook him? Is he coming to realize we’re moving too fast? Is he suddenly having second thoughts?
“Probably.” London drops her head into her hand dreamily. “It would be romantic, though.”
“We can always have a sunset ceremony. On Maui maybe?” I look at Kayne apprehensively.
“We can have anything you want.” He smiles, but it’s a distant expression.
I internally panic, but I’m not going to dwell. If there’s something to be worried about, I’ll find out soon enough.
Once the bill is paid, we move outside to the patio where oversized couches surround a large brick fireplace; dark-red lanterns hang overhead and sweet smelling cigar smoke lingers in the air. London and I park on a couch while Kayne and Jett stand by the bar and cut new cigars. I never found it appealing—a man smoking a cigar—until now. Until I watch Kayne wrap his lips around the thick brown Churchill and elegantly puff one O out after another.
“You happy, Ellie?” London asks as she lazily twirls a piece of my hair around her finger.
“Yes. Are you?” I ask surprised.
She smiles, her eyes glassy from all the alcohol. “Deliriously. Even if Jett and I never get married, he could make me happy for the rest of my life.”
“Well, that’s good to know. I’d hate for you to spend it with a man who makes you miserable,” I laugh.
She laughs, too, her head resting comfortably against the thick maroon cushion. “You’re funny,” she says as she gazes at me, the fire illuminating her dark-red hair and crystal-blue eyes. “And really beautiful, you know that?”
