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“I’m excited for the future and what difference we’ll be able to make together as a work family. Before I wrap this up, I want to give a special thank-you to the love of my life, my other half, my wife. Thank you for standing beside me when no one else did and for always giving me hope. I love you, darling,” I say, meeting her eyes.
She blows me a kiss, and I catch it, shoving it into my pocket.
The ballroom erupts into applause as the who’s who of business give a standing ovation. Tonight, we ate incredible food, danced, and celebrated Calloway Diamonds. Somehow, with everything that’s happened, we stayed on schedule with the transition. My first week was incredible.
Right now, as I look around the room, I’m pleased, happier than I thought was possible. I have everything I’veeverdreamed of.
I had faith it would work out even when everything was falling apart. Somehow, there was always a silver lining—a window opened when a door was closed.
As I walk off the stage, random people shake my hand, and I’m polite, but I make my way to Lexi. She’s my safety net, and she calms me in a room full of strangers.
“Charming. Charismatic. All Calloway,” she says, standing to meet me.
I smile against her mouth, then move to her ear. “Can we escape?”
“Yes, please,” she says, breathing out. “Lovethe way you think.”
I make eye contact with Weston; he grins and knows I’m leaving. I said my speech, so the spotlight is back on my father, where it should be. While he’s decided to stay as an adviser to the company until he’s no longer needed, for the most part, he’s hands off after tonight.
Before we leave, I take one last glance around the room. My father sees me, and I nod at him. He returns the gesture, and then Lexi and I exit. There will be plenty of ballroom parties for us to attend.
When we step outside, the valet is waiting with the Mustang. I slide into the passenger side, and she pumps her fist in the air.
Lexi climbs inside, removes her high heels, and hands them to me. Then, she shifts into first gear, taking it easy until we’re on the road.
“Damn. Sexy Lexi,” I say, reaching over to run my fingers through her hair as I massage the back of her scalp. “There’s something hot about a woman who can drive a stick.”
She laughs, giving it more gas, burning rubber as we take a turn. “Sorry,” she singsongs, but I know she did it intentionally—my little rule breaker.
“The contract really said all that shit?” she asks.
I chuckle. “I banked on you not reading it.”
She shakes her head. “I’m kinda sad I didn’t. It was comedic gold in a nerdy way.”
When we arrive at the diamond in the sky, our mouths and hands are on one another.
“I’m so proud of you,” she says between kisses and nibbles.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“You’re welcome,” she says, taking my hand and leading me upstairs.
Lexi sits me on the edge of the bed, and my arms wrap around her waist as she stands between my legs.
“Close your eyes,” she whispers. “I have a surprise for you.”
I smirk up at her and do as she asks. Lexi walks away from me and then returns.
“Give me your hand,” she says, placing something in my palm. “You can look now,” she says.
I glance down and see a white stick. A pregnancy test. I bring it closer and read a plus sign in the tiny window.
“Lexi,” I whisper, looking up at her. “Are you?—”
“Pregnant. Yes.” She beams.
I drop to the floor, wrapping my arms around her, kissing her belly and holding her tight against me. I inhale her; the moment is everything. Elation fills me, and I feel tears—my tears—as emotion takes over. “This is the happiest day of my life.”