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My head drops and I smile to myself in triumph. It is sexy as hell. The strapless top plunges down into a sharp V between my breasts and the entire gown fits like a second skin.
“I’m going to have to sit at my table all night as I’ll have a hard-on just looking at you,” he grumbles but he’s totally teasing.
I see Danica and Brienne near the stage and I want to wish them good luck since they’re both speaking. Sparing Bain a quick glance, I give him a sympathetic smile. “Don’t look at me, then.”
“Impossible,” he mutters.
I wink at him before walking away and I can feel the heavy weight of his stare on my backside. I give it a little extra sashay for his benefit alone.
When I reach Danica, I take her wrist, forcing her to turn my way. Brienne’s talking to an assistant and doesn’t pay me any attention.
Danica’s eyes light up and she leans in so we can hug. When I pull back, I give her a once-over, admiring her black silk gown. “You look fabulous.”
Her eyes peruse me critically. “Pot calling the kettle black. I can only imagine what Drake is going to say when he sees you in that outfit.”
I level a dramatic eye roll at Danica, causing her to giggle. “One day my brother will learn that he’s not the boss of me.” I wave my hand to punctuate that he’s of no consequence to this discussion and ask, “Are you ready for the big speech?”
Danica gives a tiny shake of her head. “In a million years, I will never be ready for this speech.”
I grasp her hand and squeeze it. “Speak from the heart. It’s what you do best and you’re going to be fine.”
As Brienne’s assistant climbs the steps onto the stage and moves to the podium to test the microphone, Brienne turns to me and eyeballs the gown. “That dress is amazing. Please tell me I can borrow it sometime.”
Laughing, I touch her arm. “I love the irony of this. Drake will hate it when he sees it on me, but he’s going to love it when it’s on you.”
“That’s because he knows no one would dare leer at me when he’s by my side, but he can’t keep his eyes on you twenty-four seven.”
God, if Drake ever found out about the things that happen when his eye isn’t on me, he’d have a heart attack. “What my brother doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
Brienne winks at me. “That will be our secret.”
“I’ll hold you to that if the need ever arises,” I say and then turn to Danica. I give her another hug. “I better go find my table. You’ve got this. I’ll be silently cheering you on.”
I move through the ballroom and one of the attendants directs me to my table. I’m actually relieved to see Bain’s table is on the other side of the room. I don’t want to be distracted by him and if he’s within ten feet of me, I won’t be able to concentrate on what anyone else is saying.
I am seated between two couples who are exceptionally outgoing and sweet. They’re obviously impressed I’m Drake McGinn’s sister and we spend time talking about how he outed his relationship with Brienne to the press. I love how people have embraced my brother and Brienne’s unconventional partnership and it makes me even more excited for when he pops the question.
Dinner is spectacular and I eat far too much. My favorite, of course, is dessert, a chocolate mousse cake because chocolate is only the best thing in the world. As we’re eating, various speakers take the podium. Danica as the director of the foundation leads, followed by Brienne and then a host of other people who have compelling stories about how this new foundation will help those in need.
After dinner, the lights are set to a warm glow and a DJ spins tunes before a parquet dance floor. Bidding farewell to my dinner companions, I swipe a signature champagne drink from a passing waiter. It has elderflower liqueur and fresh strawberries in it and it’s light and refreshing. Just what I need after that incredibly filling dinner that I’m quite sure is causing my tummy to pooch out a bit.
Oh, well… worth it.
I mingle, talking to various players, wives and girlfriends I’ve come to know. Drake finds me, and Brienne will be happy to know he doesn’t say one thing about my dress. Probably because he knows I’d kick him in the balls if he did.
He takes me by the elbow and leads me away from a group I’d been conversing with. “Valentine’s Day,” he says in a low voice.
“What about it?” I ask.
He rolls his eyes. “When I’m going to propose.”
“Oooh,” I exclaim and then clap my hand over my mouth so I don’t squeal. “What are you going to do?”
“No idea,” he says with an easy wave of his hand. “I’ll think of something good. But I’ll need your help with the boys.”
“Got it,” I say with a firm nod. Valentine’s Day is a completely overrated holiday in my opinion and I won’t mind spending it with my three favorite boys.
Drake leans down and plants a kiss on top of my head. “Going to find my girl for a dance.”
