Page 126 of Van Cort

“What. The. Fuck.”

I move closer until I’ve got her shaking arm in my hand and guide her to the sectional. “Hmm. That’s probably a good response. Solid.”

She takes some time looking between us over and over again, which makes me back away from her until I’m beside my brother, and she can process that vision however she wants.

“You asked her then,” I murmur.

“I did.”

“I could have said no.” He looks at me, a brow arched. “Fine, but I did think about it.” He turns to look back at her, not believing me for a second. “Did she turn you down?”

“Unsure.”

“Where did you do it?”

“Vault.” I look at him.

“We have a vault here, too?” He nods. “Why didn’t I know about it?”

“Because you disappeared, West.”

“Fair point.” Although I frown. “Why the vault?”

“What?”

“What fucking idiot asks the woman we love to marry him in a vault?” He walks closer to Andie, trying to dismiss the conversation and concentrate on her. He shouldn’t. It’s the least romantic proposal situation I’ve ever fucking heard of. I mean, this was big, huge, a moment to be savoured and respected, and he did it in a fucking gold vault? “You didn’t think a beach maybe? Some sunset? Moonlight? Champagne? Did you forget she’s claustrophobic?”

He sits on the coffee table in front of her. “The ring was in there. It was the most important place I could think of.” Oh. That makes sense, then.

“Did she know that?”

“Not at the time.”

She’s still sitting, completely bewildered, and still looking between the two of us like none of this can be real.

“River?” She whips her face back to looking at him rather than me. “This is what you didn’t understand.” Her mouth opens, but she shuts it again. “It was only me at first, and I hadn’t seen West for a very long time, so I never expected what this now is to happen, but it did, and we’re both in love with you.”

“Bo… both?” she stutters.

“Yes. Both.”

She looks between us again and then gets up to cross the room. “Both?” He walks towards her. Her hand goes up, feet backing away. “No. Stay there. Both of you. I don’t… I don’t understand and…” Words fail her, and she backs up until she’s nearly tripping over a drinks tray. “What the hell is going on? What is this?”

I walk for the drinks tray she’s moving around to pour us all something and watch as she moves further away. “That’s pretty clear, Andie. We’re twins. Same wants. Same needs.” Her mouth opens again, but this time, considering the venomous glare she sends my way, I’m expecting an argument. “And yes, you’ve been sleeping with both of us. And yes, some dates were me and some dates – if you can call them that because my brother knows very little about romance – were him. Any other questions?”

“I do know romance,” he cuts in.

I glance over my shoulder at him. “Really? Name one thing you’ve done with her that’s romantic.” He doesn’t.

My point is made.

“I proposed.”

“In a gold vault. Not romantic.”

I finish pouring three tumblers of anything available and place one in front of her. By the time I’ve taken Rhett’s to him and turned around, she’s downed hers and is slamming the glass back down. “Another?” I ask.

“Screw you,” she snaps.