“Everyone here is like family to me,” Damien said, turning his gaze on Anna. “But there’s someone here who shouldn’t be like family. She should be family…”
When Anna started to understand what was happening, her expression completely changed, a mixture of shock, joy, and love.
“She should have my last name. She should be the mother of my children. And she should be the person I grow old with.” He set the glass down and fell to one knee, pulling out a ring from his pocket. He held it between his fingertips as he looked her in the eye. “Will you be my wife, Annabella?”
She covered her mouth and gasped when she saw the enormous rock he presented to her, the ring I’d convinced Damien to get instead of the modest one he’d originally picked out, and her reaction was purely genuine.
You’re welcome, Damien.
“Oh my god…yes.”
He smiled before he slipped the ring onto her finger.
We all clapped and shouted, getting even louder as we celebrated.
Dad seemed to be the happiest, staring at his son with joy in his eyes, like he’d wanted this moment longer than anyone else…and he was thinking of my mother at the same time.
I wanted my father to look at me the same way when it was my turn, and if I married Heath…that would never happen.“Girl, that ring.” Sofia grabbed Anna’s wrist and turned her hand. “Jesus, that is the size of a boulder.”
“I know,” Anna said. “My hand is already sore.”
“It’s stunning,” I said, so happy she liked it. “You love it?”
“It’s gorgeous,” Anna said, examining her own hand like she couldn’t stop staring at it.
I wanted to tell her I’d helped my brother pick it out, but I didn’t want to make it about me, so I kept my mouth shut.
Dad came over and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Now, I have two girls, equally beautiful.”
“I disagree with that,” Damien said from the other side of the room.
“If my wife were here, she would love you,” he said. “Absolutely love you.”
“Thank you, Richard,” Anna said quietly.
“Dad, she is here,” I said. “She’s always here.”
He gave me an affectionate look before he placed his hand on my shoulder. “Come with me for a second…”
“I already had a piece of cake, Dad,” I said, assuming he was directing me to the dessert table.
“No.” He guided me right to Ash. “I was getting to know this nice young man, and he’s a delight to talk to.”
Ash turned to me, his eyes serious but the corner of his lip slightly raised, like he knew exactly what my father was trying to do and found it amusing.
I found it a bit horrifying.
“He plays the guitar,” Dad said. “Why don’t you two…?” He pointed at us both before he ditched me—then grabbed another slice of cake from the table.
I watched him go with a sigh before I turned back to Ash. “He’s already had one piece of cake, which was too much. Now he’s going for a second, and he knows better.”
Ash held his glass of champagne at his side, filling out his clothes the same way Hades did. “It’s a special night. Let him celebrate.”
“I know, I just want him to live for all the special nights.”
He slid his hand into his pocket and looked at the floor for a moment, like he didn’t know what to say. “I’m flattered your father likes me enough to force his daughter into a very uncomfortable situation.”
I chuckled, liking his sense of humor. “Don’t be too flattered. I think he’s trying to marry me off fast now that my brother has settled down.”
“This is new for me. Not a lot of people are pushing me to marry their friends and sisters.”
“Why?” I blurted, finding him even more attractive than his brother.
He shrugged. “I’m not really marriage material. Maybe your father should have asked me that first.”
“I’m surprised he didn’t pull out a list of questions from his pocket.”
Now it was his turn to chuckle. “I don’t think you need help finding a man anyway. And I don’t need help finding a woman.”
He was definitely more arrogant than his brother, or just more honest. “Actually, I’m seeing someone.” We’d never established if we were in a relationship, and it would be smart to get out of it before it really turned into something. But when I was faced with a possible suitor, Heath was the only man I could think of. I felt obligated to state that he existed…because I was committed to him.
“Oh? Your father doesn’t like him?”
“No. Doesn’t know about him.”
“Does Damien know?”
“Yes, he’s not a fan.”
“Now I understand,” he said as he gave a slight nod. “Damien doesn’t seem to like anyone, so I guess that doesn’t surprise me.”
Well, this time, it was actually legitimate. “Thanks for putting up with my father. He sees a handsome man and immediately tries to play matchmaker.”