When I finally finish cleaning her off, I grab a towel and wipe my hands.
“So, now what?” she asks.
“Now I leave, and your real masseuse comes in here to give you what you paid for.”
Brooklyn cocks her head. “Leaving so soon?”
“Only for a little while,” I tell her softly, tipping her chin with one finger and looking down at her.
She smiles up at me, and my chest swells with a warmth I can’t quite name.
Brooklyn
Chapter 25
It’s the night of Luka’s birthday, and I’m feeling elated: I finally managed to arrange a celebration special enough to be worthy of the Zorics. After talking to the hotel’s resident event planner, I booked the whole family a private dinner on the beach in a tent that’s decorated with softly glowing candles in glass votives, a crystal chandelier hanging overhead, and big bouquets of palm fronds and local flowers. The sound of ocean waves crashing against the sand meshes with the music of a calypso band playing on an outdoor stage further down the beach.
The five of us are seated on thick cushions around a low table, close together and intimate. For the first course, we devoured the freshest seafood platter I’ve ever had, and now we’re midway through a heavenly lobster bisque topped with champagne crème. The candlelight shines on all our faces, adding a warm glow, and everyone is relaxed and happy.
Luka hadn’t expected this fancy catered dinner any more than he’d known about this trip. He’s joking easily with his family beside me, while nursing a glass of sparkling water.
My instinct is to pull out my phone and start snapping away, adding a few filters and then uploading all the best shots of this twinkling tent and my gorgeous husband to my social media. But as my finger hovers over the camera app, I hear a peal of laughter from Emzee and realize that I’ve just missed a great joke—and that’s when it hits me. I don’t need my phone to capture this moment. All I need is to keep my eyes and ears and my heart open, to live in the here and now. My experiences with these people mean far more than the photos I was planning on getting.
I tuck my phone away and give Luka’s hand a quick squeeze.
Honestly, I love seeing him like this. Over the course of our relationship, we haven’t had many moments where he’s let down his walls and given in to his softer side. At one point he reaches over to run his hand under my shawl and up my bare back, then strokes his thumb against the sore spot on my neck where my halter straps are tied in a knot. It sends a shiver down my spine, making me wonder what else might be in store once we’re back in our suite tonight…
“I’d like to make a toast,” Stefan announces, leaning forward and raising his wine glass.
“Hear, hear, brother,” Emzee says encouragingly, raising hers.
The chatter dies down as all eyes turn to Stefan. “I’m going to make this quick before the main dish arrives, or I have too much to drink and forget everything I wanted to say,” he goes on.
“Don’t say anything too embarrassing now,” Luka warns, grinning. “I’d like to be able to look my wife in the eye tomorrow.”
Everyone chuckles. Stefan settles his glass against his chest and looks at his brother.
“A year ago, I never would have guessed that my baby brother would ever get his shit together. The clubs, the booze, the fast women and faster cars. I spent sleepless nights and days worrying that he might get hurt. That we might lose him, and not get him back.”
It’s gone quiet now, the mood more serious. I give Luka the side-eye. He’s watching Stefan intently, his expression unreadable. I wonder if this is about to be a lecture or an actual toast. From what I know of the oldest Zoric sibling, it will likely be a combination of the two.
“It took a major revelation in all our lives for us to sit and regroup and figure out what path to take. After the business fell to me, Luka stepped up to say he was ready to stand at my side. He swore he’d do the work, do whatever it took to get the agency and his life back on track. But as much as I wanted to believe him, I wasn’t sure he’d be able to follow through.”
Heaviness fills my chest, an ache punching me right in the center, when I think about how lost Luka had been back then. Partying. Drinking. Numbing himself against his life, against his tyrannical father. And all this before he even knew about his dad’s criminal activities.
“I’m not an easy man to please,” Stefan goes on, glancing at his wife. “But I’m here to tell you that nothing has made me prouder, or happier, than watching Luka transform into a sharp, dedicated, intelligent business partner. Because that’s what you are. A partner. Effective immediately, I’m appointing you co-CEO of Danica Rose Management.”
I hear a gasp and it takes a second to realize that it came from me. Reaching for Luka’s hand, I hold it firmly in both of mine, so full of pride I feel about to burst.
“Whooooo!” Emzee yells, spilling wine as she thrusts her glass in the air.
Stefan laughs and goes on. “Little bro, the man you were a year ago is unrecognizable. I like this new version a hell of a lot better, and I hope you do, too. So cheers—” He raises his glass again and we all follow suit. “To your hard work, your good heart, and your new life.”
We all have a drink. Blinking back tears, I notice that Tori claps instead of raising her glass, then wipes at her eyes. God, all of us women are going to be blubbery messes if this keeps up. I’ve barely taken a celebratory sip when Emzee sits up with a flip of her midnight hair.
“My turn, my turn! I won’t be as eloquent, only because I’m not drunk yet.” She turns and raises her glass to Luka.
“Growing up, I always knew I’d get one of two things out of you, Luka. One, an ass kicking for getting in your way, or two, an ass kicking for stealing the candy bars and action figures you kept hidden under your bed.”
