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When we move closer to them, Billie is already smirking like she saw the diamond on Harper’s finger from a mile away, but she doesn’t say anything.
“Happy you’re back in the city,” Billie says, hugging Harper. “I was scared you two were going to move there.”
“We were gone for a week,” Harper says.
“A week too long,” Billie tells her as I grab a drink from the tray behind her.
“You know you were occupied with Banks while we were gone,” I say to her with a brow lifted.
“It’s not a lie.” Asher raises his glass in a lazy salute. “Welcome back, lovebirds.”
Billie gives Harper a once-over. “You look radiant. That’s either post-sex glow or a facial. Knowing you, it’s both.”
I glance at Harper’s flushed cheeks and the way her mouth twitches with the effort to not give herself away.
I lean into her ear. “You want to tell them, or should I?”
She smiles, then lifts her hand subtly, just enough for the light to cast little rainbows from her finger.
Billie’s mouth drops open a full inch before she recovers. “Finally.”
Asher grins and gives Harper a side hug. “Welcome to the Calloway club. Careful, they’re cranky.”
Billie gives him a playful smack, and I shrug.
“No lies detected,” I say. “You’re lucky I’m in a good mood.”
We don’t have long to enjoy the moment before I hear the unmistakable sound of Weston with his loud laughter and exaggerated storytelling. He rounds the corner with Carlee on his arm, grinning like he owns the room. He does. No matter what, Weston is the life of every party he attends.
“Are we celebrating something?” he calls out, eyes scanning the group of us as he approaches. He’s wearing a green velvet blazer, no tie, and the kind of tailored pants that sayI know my angles.His charm hits like champagne—bubbly, a little too much, but entirely effective.
Carlee has that effortless grace she always carries. Her hair is up, and her emerald earrings catch the light.
“Look who decided to show up,” Weston says, squeezing my shoulder before pulling Harper into a full-body hug like she’s his favorite person on earth. “You’re glowing. What did he do? Or do I want to know?”
Carlee raises a brow at Harper, then at me, then back again. Her eyes narrow like a woman who can predict what Harper will say.
“You’ve got thatI said yes to something biglook,” she tells her in a soft voice.
Harper lifts her hand again, slower this time, the smile stretching across her face. “Guess I’ll be a Calloway after all.”
She sticks her tongue out at Weston. There was a time when she tried to date Easton and then Weston, but they turned her down. The thought makes me laugh now.
“Yes! I knew it! Easton owes me a hundred thousand dollars!” Weston shouts, taking two dramatic steps back and throwing both hands in the air like he’s been personally attacked by joy. “I love this for me and for you too! Congrats!”
Harper’s laughing so hard that she has to lean into my side for support.
Carlee pulls Harper into a tight hug. “I knew it! Congratulations. So happy for the two of you. Truly.”
I nod. “Thank you.”
“No, thankyou,” Weston says, grabbing my hand and shaking it like I just saved a civilization. “Billie and I were both losing patience.”
“I was not,” Billie chimes in, sipping her champagne. “I was waiting with elegance and judgment. I knew it would happen. I’d wished it would.”
Weston turns to Harper, takes both of her hands, and kisses the air beside each cheek. “Did you elope?”
“No! You’re so annoying,” Harper tells him, smacking him. “Control your brother,” she says to Billie.