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I look over at Elisabetta, and she’s frowning slightly.

“Romeo, what are you doing?”

“Honey, I love you, I love you, I love you, and you are admirable for going through with this craziness. I don’t know how you’re doing it, but if that man wants to put a ring on your finger and expects me to come to the wedding, I’m going to need to know that he put a lot more into this engagement than just signing a couple of pieces of paper.”

“I mean, I did also transfer millions of dollars to your father’s bank account.”

“First off, he’s not my daddy, he’s my step-daddy, and he’s already cut me off.”

“Oh, no, I didn’t know that,” Elisabetta says. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine. I’m an in-demand model right now. Have you ever heard of those supermodels in the 80s who didn’t even wake up unless they were offered ten grand? Well, that’s me, darling. I’m getting twenty grand a day. Who knew?”

“I knew. You’re fabulous.”

“Well, thank you. So, I don’t need your father’s money. I’m living my best life. But anyway, if this man is a real gentleman, like his accent would lead one to believe, then he’s going to need to get down on one knee and propose to you. Because my darling sister is not marrying any man without at least a real proposal.”

“You know this isn’t a real wedding.”

“Ah, it may not be a real wedding, but was the fucking that you did with him recently real?”

“Romeo!” She sounds shocked as she looks at me.

I grin at her. “Yes, your sister and I do have sex, and it is amazing, and yes, we’re dating, and…”

“And nothing,” Romeo says. “I know you guys are trying to compartmentalize this weird-ass relationship, and I’ve spoken to Sissy almost every day. I also know you’re making her happy, but I don’t care that you guys are doing this as some kind of business deal. This is my sister and best friend’s first wedding, and I need to hear that you proposed to her in the most bomb-ass romantic way. You hear me?”

“I hear you.”

“And if you break her heart or do anything that leads me to believe you’re a jackass, I will personally make your life miserable. Do you understand?”

“Completely,” I say. “Absolutely and completely.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Elisabetta

"Oh my gosh, I'm so excited for you." Skye grabs my hands as we dance in the middle of the street.

"Don't be too excited. You do realize that?—"

"I know, I know. It's not a true marriage, but still, it's cool."

"What do you mean?" I say. "You don’t think it's weird?"

"No. I mean, Liam's a hunk, and I have to admit that I was really glad when you told me that he was being a jackass to me and Juniper and Lila on purpose because when I thought you were falling for the biggest, grumpiest douchebag in the world, I was really worried about you. To be honest, Kingston, Max, and Remington are all very concerned."

"Why?"

"Because while they love Liam as a client, they don’t really think he has the best reputation."

"Why, because he's a ladies' man?"

"No, because none of us girls liked working for him, and, well, you know Kingston knows about your past."

"Oh my gosh, don't remind me about that evening."

"Well, because of that, he tends to think that you don't make the best decisions when it comes to men."