“Started?” I ask Kingsley as we follow Layla into the bedroom.
“We’re going to make you look so hot, Lake’s going to dissolve into a puddle of drool,” Kingsley teases.
“Eomeo!” I press my hands to my cheeks. “I want to impress his parents, not make them second guess their decision to let me marry their son.”
Layla let’s out a chuckle then she looks at me. “Oh good, you’ve washed your hair already. We came just in time. I love how in sync we all are.”
Kingsley brings the chair from the desk in the living room and places it in the bathroom. Then she pushes me toward it, and once I sit down, they both get to work. Layla dries my hair, and Kingsley starts with my makeup.
A couple of minutes later, Layla lets our a burst of laughter. “You should see your faces. Whenever Kingsley pouts, you pout. If she raises her eyebrows, you do the same. It’s so cute.”
My eyes dart from Kingsley to Layla’s reflection in the mirror. I’m so thankful for them.
Lake’s family and friends are becoming my family and friends. It makes me feel like the richest person on earth.Lake“That was the best meeting I’ve ever been to,” I mumble from the back seat.
“You can say that again,” Falcon agrees.
“Guys,” Mason says, “Do you realize what just happened?”
“You got the investment,” I say, my voice filled with relief. “You did it.”
“We did it,” Mason corrects me.
“We fucking did it,” Falcon adds.
Mason slaps a hand against the steering wheel while he shouts, “Hell yeah!”
I lean back against the seat and cover my face with my hands as emotion washes over me, flooding my eyes with tears. I feel utter relief that I can tell Park to fuck off. Overwhelming gratefulness for Mason and Falcon, because without them I’d be half the man I am today. And love… so much love for Lee.
“Buddy, are you crying?” Mason asks.
“Do you blame me?”
“Not one bit. I feel like crying myself,” he admits.
When we drive through the gates of Trinity Academy, I think of the profound way our lives have changed this past year.
Our group grew. Lee, Layla, Kingsley, and Preston taught us so much.
Mason dealt with Jen’s death.
Falcon reunited with Julian and Mr. Reyes.
And me… I finally realized what I wanted to do with my future.
I glance over my shoulder to where West’s car went over, and I feel a pang of guilt for not remembering him sooner. Our lives went on while his ended.
Wherever you are, I hope Jennifer found you. I hope she gave you the forgiveness and peace you were looking for.
Looking back in front of me, my eyes go to The Hope Diamond, and I smile.
Grandpa, I now understand why you called it The Hope Diamond. I’ve found mine, and she’s up there waiting for me right now.Chapter 18LakeI knock on Lee’s door, and when Layla opens the door, I grin. “I’m here for my fiancée.”
“Brace yourself, Lake,” she says, a proud look on her face. “She’s going to sweep your feet from under you.”
“Yeah, what did you do?” I ask as I step inside.
I shut the door behind me, and as I turn to look at Layla, movement from the bedroom door catches my eye.
And then I forget to breathe.
I can only stare for a moment.
Lee’s wearing a light, peach-colored dress with three-quarter sleeves and a square neckline. Silk pads the lace down to her thighs and then it’s just a waterfall of lace.
I have to pull my collar away from my neck as I take in her legs.
“What do you think?” Layla asks.
“I’m still looking,” I mumble as my eyes drift back up to her face. The girls curled her hair at the ends, and my eyes get stuck on one curl as it follows the curve of her breast.
“Don’t move,” I say quickly while I yank out my phone. I take a photo of her because I’m really not done looking.
“Aww crap, I got candy stuck in my tooth,” Kingsley complains.
“And there’s one of the reasons I almost remained a single father,” I mumble as I walk toward Lee.
Layla cracks up behind me, and I smirk because I can’t wait to see what affect Miss Sebastian is going to have on the girls.
Stopping in front of Lee, I reach for her hand. I have to force my eyes to stay on her face because with my height, I have a perfect view of her cleavage.
“You look breathtaking,” I whisper, and then I lean down and press a kiss to the corner of her mouth, so I don’t ruin her makeup.
Lee tugs at the bodice of the dress, giving me a worried glance. “The dress is so low. Won’t it offend your parents?”
“No,” the word bursts from me. “Definitely not. You look perfect in the dress.”