Waterfall Kisses (The Kisses 9)

I could hear him chuckling as he walked down the hallway.

“I'm in the Twilight Zone,” I said to Leo. “Somewhere, someone is narrating my life with a weird twist ending.”

Leo plopped onto the foot of the bed, staring at the doorway again. “I guess we aren't nearly as secretive as we thought.”

“Did everyone but the two of us know this was going to happen? No one seems even remotely surprised.” I stabbed my eggs with a fork. “Wish they would've shared that with me.”

Leo chuckled and put his hand on mine. “I don't know... I think things worked out pretty well.”

I looked up from my breakfast into his kind, blue eyes. The sun shone on his hair and there was a sparkle in his eyes that made my chest fill up with longing and joy.

“You're right,” I said softly, smiling as I looked at the man I loved. This was perfect and if it had happened any other way, I wasn't sure it would feel this good. “I wouldn't change this for the world.”

Chapter Twenty

It had been a good morning. A very good morning.

I grinned as I approached the mansion, humming to myself and feeling good about the world and everything in it. Leo and I were officially a couple and my brother was okay with it. Things were finally going the way I had always imagined.

A security guard waved as I approached, recognizing me and opening up the main gate. I walked in, shaking my head at the massive house in front of me.

Soon, this mansion wouldn't be ours anymore. It had been sold as part of the auction, and in a few weeks, all of the furniture would be gone and we'd be back in New York. I was actually okay with selling it. I loved the location of the mansion, as well as the view, but the building was far too big and gaudy. It screamed wealth and money and that was the last thing I cared about.

I much preferred the idea of a cute little two bedroom bungalow on the beach to the massive monstrosity full of old artwork and antique furniture designed to impress. I liked comfort more.

I stepped inside and nearly tripped over a pair of sandals. They weren't the right size or style for Bastian, but were most definitely men's sandals. And there was a pair of women's flip-flops alongside the door. I stared at them for a moment before remembering that Ava's father and his girlfriend arrived yesterday.

I knew I'd have to say hello to them later, but for now, I needed to get to work. Despite being in the Caribbean, there were things that needed to be done. Billions of dollars didn't just keep track of themselves.

I ran up to my room and changed into some light cotton slacks and a silk blouse. Even though I'd be working from home today, I wanted to look professional. Besides, if I was dressed for work, I wouldn't be tempted to leave because I'd have to change.

I knocked on Bastian's office door before going in to check with him what he needed for the day. He was sitting at his desk while Ava lounged on the couch next to him with a book. Both of them looked like cats that had found the cream.

“What's up, boss?” I asked, pulling out my tablet. I still had some things that needed to be done with the phone app, but Bastian's news this morning that the beta testers loved it was incredibly encouraging.

“Those reports you asked for are in,” Bastian replied. “I also need you to schedule a press release.”

I looked up from my tablet. “A press release? For what?”

Bastian looked over at Ava and ginned. He looked happier than I'd ever seen him. “Ava, you want to tell her?”

Ava jumped up from the couch and hurried over to me, holding out her left hand. A big, shiny rock glittered on her left ring finger. “We're engaged!”

I let out an inhumanely high, excited SQUEE!!!! and began jumping up and down while trying to hug her. “I get a sister! I'm so excited for you two!”

Ava laughed, hugging me back and jumping with me. “It won't be for a while. We want a longer engagement, but...” She looked over at Bastian and grinned.

“But there just wasn't a good reason to wait to ask,” Bastian finished. He smiled back at her and I could feel the love in the room.

“That's why you had me fly Ava's dad out, isn't?” I asked, finally

stopping my jumping. “So you could ask him permission?”

“I felt it was something I should do in person.” Bastian paused, his smile faltering. “I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I figured when you said that I should marry Ava, that you were serious and-”

“-and you were right,” I cut him off. I let go of Ava and ran over to hug my brother. He held me tight and I could feel the happiness radiating off him in waves. “I'm so happy for you, Bastian. So. Happy.”

He released me, and I realized he had picked me up off the floor in his bear hug. “Thank you,” he said with a bashful grin. His eyes flashed over to Ava and his smile softened into something that melted my heart. He walked around his desk and put his arm over Ava's shoulder. She instinctively leaned into him and smiled.