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Excuse me. I was not. Just because I ditched the supermodel he tried to set me up with. I don’t know why he’s complaining. He got laid.
Everyone’s eyes swivel to me when Max lets out a howl of laughter, reaching Ani and dropping a kiss on her cheek. “Nice ring.”
Timmy, Beau, and Ryan blink in surprise while Angie squeals with excitement. She launches herself at Ani, seizing her hand and examining the engagement ring from every angle. Max seems singularly unsurprised, while Beau and Ryan look shocked. Timmy recovers first, crossing the room and pulling me into a tight hug, clapping me on the back.
“Congrats, bro,” he murmurs in my ear. “Your questions about me letting Angie leave England without me make a lot more sense.”
Asshole. I flip him off as he steps back, smirking and crossing to where his wife is still sighing over Ani’s ring. Timmy looks over the ring in interest, his smirk widening into a grin as he drops a kiss on Ani’s cheek.
“Welcome to the family, Anica.”
She blushes and blinks up at him. “Y-you can call me Ani.”
Angie folds her into a tight hug. “I’m Angie, and this is Tim. We’re going to be sisters-in-law.”
Ani blinks at her in shock, like it had never occurred to her that my brother and his wife would be her in-laws.
“Of course,” Ani recovers, smiling and turning to Beau and Ryan. I cross to her, sliding my hand up her back as I guide her toward them.
“Ani, these are my cousins, Beau and Ryan. Guys, this is Ani, my fiancée.”
Beau recovers first, dropping a kiss on Ani’s cheek. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
I slap Ryan upside the head, and he moves toward Ani, dropping a quick kiss. “I look forward to getting to know you, Ani.”
Eh, it could be worse. He was a complete dick to Angie at first. We all were. They better not treat Ani like that. I’ll fucking throw hands.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
David
I clap Ryan and Beau on the back, taking Ani’s hand and leading her over to the staircase.
“Shall we head upstairs for drinks?”
Everyone recovers quickly from their shock that I’m engaged, following us up. The head caterer has moved behind the bar, and the other chef is laying the first course on the table. The caterer hands around champagne, and I raise my glass.
“To Ani. For agreeing to come back to New York, marry me, and improve my life.”
She giggles, her cheeks flaming as everyone murmurs, “To Ani.”
The food is ready, so we take our seats. I’m reminded of the last time Ani and I sat down at a dinner party here with her. When she was observing me. This is completely different. Ani is seated beside me, and my foot finds hers under the table, toying with it.
Everyone digs into the dinner, everyone but Angie, seated across from Ani, who leans over the table with a grin.
“So, Ani. When will the wedding be? Have you picked a location?”
Jesus. It’s been two days. Calm down, Angie. Ani’s cheeks heat again.
“W-we onlyjustgot engaged in the last few days.”
Angie brushes aside Ani’s explanation with a snort. “I was engaged for a matter of hours before Bill decided we were getting married in Chicago. I’m sure you’ve thought ofsomethings. Who are you going to ask to be your bridesmaids?”
I listen closely. I have no idea who Ani would ask. I’ve only ever seen her here in New York, and she was apparently friendly with one woman from the secretary pool, but Christine knew little more than that.
“Uh, JJ, my roommate from Chicago, and Alison.” Ani’s eyes dart over to my face, catching and holding mine. “She was my brother’s fiancée.”
