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Like she belongs here.

Like we belong here.

The silence stretches. I finally look around. Every single person is staring at us.

Koa looks amused. Luca looks fucking delighted. Tank's mouth is hanging open. Dane has that smug married-man expression I have developed a profound hatred for over the past several hours.

The women are worse.

Dani's eyes are enormous. Finley has both lips pressed together like she's physically fighting a scream. Annabeth looks ready to melt. Chiara is grinning.

And Carolina—Carolina knows me too fucking well.

Her gaze drops deliberately to my hand on Layla's waist.

Then back to my face. Her smile is positively evil.

“Damn, boss man.”

Here we fucking go.

“I didn't think you had it in you.”

Layla glances around. Finally, she notices.

“What?”

Nobody answers her. They're too busy staring at me like I've just announced I'm selling Knight Global and joining the circus.

I sigh.

“Don't encourage them.”

“Encourage what?”

“Them.”

“That doesn't answer my question.”

“Welcome to my life,” Dane mutters.

Carolina elbows him without looking away from me.

“What?” Layla asks again.

Dani breaks first.

“He kissed you hello.”

Layla blinks.

“Yes?”

Like she genuinely doesn't understand the significance. That does something stupid to my chest.

Finley points between us. “In front of people.”

Layla looks at me. Then at her.