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“It was a ten-minute conversation with twenty minutes of shit talking.”
I smirk and take a step back, drinking him in. “Damn. Gucci looks good on you.”
“This suit pissed Easton off beyond belief. Worth it,” he says as he lifts a brown paper bag from the bakery I love that’s close to Calloway Diamonds headquarters. He stops when he sees Billie. “You’re still here?”
She shrugs. “Had a lot of catching up to do.”
He sets the bag on the counter, and when I glance at him, he winks, mouthing,You okay?
The smile that spreads across my face feels unshakable—a confirmation that, everything is perfect. I’ve finally found balance in my life.
He’s trying to act casual and failing miserably at it. He searches Billie’s face, then mine, then glances at the box I still haven’t moved off the counter. “I can leave if I’m interrupting.”
Billie shakes her head. “You’re not; Harper knows the good news about the engagement.”
Brody’s eyebrows lift with practiced effort. He gives a mock gasp. “Wait. You’re engaged?” The way he says it is a beat too slow.
I don’t even bother hiding my smile as I glance at him. “You’re a terrible liar.”
A small breath releases from him as his eyes crinkle at the corners. “The main reason why I stick to telling you the truth.”
Billie whips around to face him, eyes wide. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell her. Wow. Even I’m impressed.”
He shrugs unapologetically. “It wasn’t my news to share.”
Billie stares at him for another second before a smile breaks across her face. “The two of you are perfect together.”
“I try,” he says, pulling pastries out of the bag, one by one, like he’s done this a dozen times before. “The cinnamon rolls are still warm.”
“Ooh, my favorite,” Billie says, reaching for one without hesitation.
I lean back against the counter, watching them both, realizing this is my life. Brody catches my eye and gives me the smallest nod. Everything really does feel okay now, and without having to say it out loud, I know it is.
“When are you proposing?” Billie directly asks him.
Brody’s brows furrow. “Fuck off.”
She scoffs. “No way to treat your favorite cousin.”
He shrugs. “I dunno. Seems like Weston is taking the number one spot these days.”
Billie actually looks offended as she snags a turnover and makes her way to the door. “I won’t stop asking until you do it.” She glances at me. “Got your back, Harp.”
I giggle as she opens the door and leaves with a sassy swing to her hips. I turn to Brody, looking him up and down.
“Like what you see?” He adjusts the tie.
“I kinda want to peel that off of you with my teeth.”
I watch him as he moves toward me, completely unhurried, unbothered, and at ease here, like he’s always belonged. Maybe he has. Maybe this is the version of me that I was always meant to be. He runs his fingers through my hair and meets my eyes.
“How did it go?” I ask.
“Great. They were super supportive and very happy for us.”
He dips down and captures my lips, taking his time as our tongues twist together. He moans against me, and I melt into him fully. My eyes flutter open, and I stare into his blues.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks, voice low.