Page 71 of The Billionaire Invitation

Zander hung back with Dante. “Are you okay?”

Dante rolled his shoulder, not sure how to answer that. “If by okay, you mean am I sober, yes. If by okay, you’re asking if I have a speech planned, don’t worry. I’ll come up with one.”

“By okay, I am asking you if your issue with Dad will affect your ability to concentrate on what you need to do up there.”

“I am pissed off at him, but it’s nothing I haven’t navigated before.”

“I’ve seen you two square off over the years, but you always do it silently. What made you speak up today?” Zander slowed his pace, staying a few steps behind Ike and Dottie.

“He got in a few jabs about my noble devotion, and then threw in some bullshit about how Honesty is immune to my charms.”

“He said that?”

“He texted it.”

Zander let out a humorless chuckle. “Hate to break it to you, little brother, but you can’t take his texts seriously.”

“No? What about the things he said out on the balcony. He told me I didn’t need to stick around LA because my mother doesn’t need anyone. Then he said she never needed him. What the fuck am I supposed to do with that?”

“Stay out of it. He’s not you. You’re not him.”

And on Zander’s enigmatic reply, they reached the top of the stairs. Ike and Dottie hung back so as not to ruin the surprise for Reagan.

“See you in there,” Ike whispered with a wide smile and two thumbs up.

Brody beelined for the balcony, but Reagan was at the table instead. She was holding their baby girl in her arms and laughing with Dante’s mother. When Brody reached her, he carefully took his daughter and handed her to Simone. A quiet conversation between him and Reagan followed.

Dante watched every micro expression on her face. First her eyebrows drew down as if in confusion. Next, they lifted and her entire face softened. Then her hands covered her mouth and her eyes welled with tears.

Dante had to smile. It was beautiful to watch.

When she nodded her “yes,” Brody turned and called out, “Ike. Dottie. Come on in.”

Ike did as requested, his hand linked with Dottie’s as he stepped into the room and waved. Reagan ran to hug them both, swiping at her tear-streaked face as she went.

“Everyone pay attention,” Brody announced. The room went silent. Which, in a room full of Cranes was an impressive feat. “Reagan and I are getting married right here, right now. Because we love all of you and we want all of you present. And we’re done waiting. If you have any objections about it happening somewhere other than here, or the fact that my mom is not here, do not worry. Keaton Killdeer will be planning the biggest, most obnoxious party imaginable in the city. That date is to be announced. For tonight, everyone we need is here. Including my best man, Dante.”

Simone clapped, her eyes filling with tears. Whether it was the whiskey or not Dante couldn’t be sure, but being singled out by his older brother in a positive way felt pretty fucking great.

While Zander readied himself at a makeshift altar near the head of the table, the waitstaff wheeled in the cake. Dante’s attention strayed to the balcony where Jaylyn, Chloe, and Honesty were standing at the threshold.

Honesty was grinning from ear to ear. Jaylyn let out shriek of laughter before skipping over to Reagan, Chloe at her heels.

In the midst of an impromptu wedding, Dante was struck with a lightning bolt of clarity. Brody knew exactly what he wanted, and he’d stepped up and decided to have it. Not only when he’d asked Reagan to be his wife, but also asking her to marry him right here, right now.

Anyone else would have balked at the timing. Reagan had just given birth, but there had been no complaints about waiting until she felt or looked a certain way. She hadn’t asked about the cake or the seating, or worried about what she was wearing. She’d simply leapt with Brody because he’d asked her to jump. And Brody had asked because he had trusted Reagan to say yes.

“Well, this is exciting,” Honesty said as he approached her.

“You don’t happen to have a best man speech on you, do you?”

“Sorry, no.” She laughed as she tucked a strand of wavy dark hair behind her ear. “At least I dressed for the occasion. It would have been a nightmare if I’d worn white.” She skimmed her hands down a short black dress that showed off her legs.

“You look amazing. You are amazing.”

Her eyes sparkled at the compliment. Her sweet smile might be the end of him. She truly was the most remarkable woman.

Suddenly, another bolt of clarity hit him—different from Brody’s but no less profound. He wasn’t ready to leave Chicago yet. There was more to do. And he was not like his father—he didn’t walk away before things were wrapped up.