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“I do.” His voice almost broke at those words. Enough so that I found myself looking at his face. He was staring back at me with those glowing eyes, so full of emotion. “I feel like you brought me back to life, Macie.”
He gave me a soft smile and held the necklace up to me. A silent request.
I turned around. I felt him press into my back as his arms came around my front, his fingers brushing along my collarbones as he clasped the necklace behind my neck. His hand lingered there briefly, his lips meeting my ear. “When you look up at the night sky, and its only source of light is the moon and the stars and the cosmos, I want you to remember that there is someone out there who thinks you’re brighter than all of it. When you feel dulled, I want you to remember thatIthink you’re brighter than all of it.”
I brought my hand to the necklace, letting my fingers graze over the star that hung at the center of my chest. “It’s beautiful,” I whispered. “Thank you.”
He kissed my cheek lightly. “We should get going.”
I nodded, letting him lead me out of the apartment.
I turned to lock the door behind us just as another opened at the far end of the hallway. Juan and Dante stepped out of it, both dressed more casually than Dom and I, but still looking far better than I do on an average day.
“My goodness. If you weren’t standing right in front of me, I wouldn’t believe that was you, Macie,” Juan said as they reached us.
“I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or an insult.”
He smiled. “An insult. Always.” He looked me up and down. “You do look beautiful.”
“Those words don’t come easily to him, so know he means it,” his husband added.
I chuckled. “Oh trust me, I know.”
Juan’s gaze then settled on Dom. “Your date istoopretty, though.”
“That’s rich coming from you,” I chimed. “But sadly, I’d have to agree.” I rolled my eyes at the man next to me. I felt his fingers curl into the fabric of my dress at my low back as he smiled at Juan and Dante. “This is Dominic.”
Dom held out his arm to shake Juan’s hand. Juan flicked his gaze between Dom’s arm and his face, before reluctantly returning the shake. “What do you do for a living?”
Dom flashed his million-dollar grin. “I’m an agent for Pacific Crest Realty. So, if you’re ever in the market to buy, let me know.”
Juan humphed. Dante tried to hide a chuckle as if he read Juan’s noise and knew exactly what he’d say next. “Well, I won’t pretend that physical threats are of any consequence to you.” He waved his hand up and down, referencing the clear difference in height and stature between himself and Dom. “But, I can write a scathing Yelp review. So, upset my girl and you’ll regret it.”
My brows rose, the shock in my face apparent. “That threat might be the nicest thing you’ve ever done for me.”
Juan shrugged. “I’m not a particularly nice person, Macie. Yet somehow, you’ve weaseled your way into my cold, black heart. A feat very few are capable of accomplishing, as Dante would have you know. Which means, unfortunately for you, I’ll be mother-henning you for the rest of my life.”
“I think Mace can use a little mother-henning from time to time,” Dom said.
“Ain’t that the truth?” Juan muttered his breath.
I clicked my tongue at both of them before Dom let out a chuckle. “I’ll ensure any Yelp review you write about me is five stars. Both on the professional front,” he tugged me closer to him, wrapping his arm more firmly around my waist while brushing his lips against my temple, “and the personal one.”
Chapter 24
Aswepulledupin front of the hotel a valet opened my door for me. Dom handed the keys over to the workers and gripped my hand as we entered the hotel. “Well, I’m in for a difficult night. I can tell already.”
“What do you mean?”
The lobby was crowded, dozens of people filtering in and out of what appeared to be the large double doors that led to the ballroom. Dom let go of my hand, lightly pushing me in front of him and keeping a grip on my waist. “Those guys at the valet could not take their eyes off you. I’m going to be fighting men off all night, I think.”
I shook my head, hiding a laugh. “Shut up.”
“How does it feel to be the most beautiful person in this building?”
We shuffled into the room and paused momentarily to take it in. One half of the room was littered with round tables, ornately decorated with white linen, candles, and flowers. The other side of the room was a dance floor, and a bar that sat in the back corner. Huge sparkling spheres hung from the ceiling throughout the room, gold streamers accenting them. The far side of the room was entirely paneled windows, and a few doors that led out onto a massive balcony overlooking the city.
I glanced at Dom, who still had an arm held against my waist. His eyes were glimmering as he smiled down at me, and I realized I hadn’t responded to him. “You tell me,” I said breathlessly.
