Page 75 of Her Three Tech Bros

“What do we do now?” Jade asks.

Clearly, the dinner didn’t exactly go as planned. Sure, things seemed to cool down a lot towards the end, but I’m no fool. I know that the judgment is far from over. I would never go as far as to say that our families are now completely supportive. The one silver lining is that the dinner ended calmer than I could’ve hoped after it nearly went off the rails.

After an evening like this, exhausting physically and emotionally, there is only one thing to do next.

“Let’s go home,” I say in response.

I take Jade’s hand and lead her out of the restaurant, with Ryan and Logan in tow. The warmth of her skin against mine starts to radiate up my arm.

I have never been so sure of anything in my life. Meeting Jade, entering a relationship with her, and sharing her with Ryan and Logan is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Not one ounce of regret stirs in my mind.

While some members of our families just spent tonight trying to tear the relationship apart, they only succeeded in making me feel closer to Jade than ever. All the anger I felt at every cruel word hurled at her was just my love making itself known.

Tonight also brought Ryan, Logan, and me together, stronger than ever. Working together to defend Jade has solidified our bond more than I ever imagined possible. We’re all locked in on this arrangement, together forever.

At the car, I help Jade in and close the door behind her. I then turn to look at Ryan and Logan. We all share a silent glance between the three of us, and we’re instantly on the same page.

I hop into the driver’s seat, and the four of us are off. No one speaks again for the entire car ride back. The tense silence continues once in the apartment. It’s obvious that no one is sure what to say.

Everything, both good and bad, was said by everyone back at the restaurant. The next step, the next move, is uncertain.

Or at least it was.

Out of nowhere, the next step hits me like a bus. Of course, this is the answer. This is what needs to happen next. I couldn’t be more sure.

I was hoping for maybe a nicer day. Somewhere a bit more romantic than the apartment. But at this moment, I know none of that is truly important.

Words are cheap. Anyone can verbally defend their relationship to their judgmental family. It takes a real man and a truly deserving partner to put everything on the table and make it real. Jade deserves nothing less.

“I’ll be right back,” I mutter to the room as I hurry out of Jade’s apartment.

I rush outside to my car and hop inside. Quickly, I open up the glove box and move some things to the side, and there it is. The engagement ring I bought Jade last week. I had been searching for a necklace to buy her, but when I saw this ring, I couldn’t stop staring at it. I knew that I had to buy it.

So the guys and I got together and came to an agreement. Some might say it’s too early for this, but I know in my heart that it’s right.

Tonight is the night. I’m going to make this real with her. She will fully understand, without a shadow of a doubt, how committed I am to her and this life we’ve found ourselves in.

Thank fuck I accidentally left them in my car. Otherwise, I’d have missed out on this perfect moment.

I rush back to Jade’s apartment with three ring boxes in my pocket. My heart is racing so fast. Part of me is worried that I won’t be able to find the strength. But another part of me knows that one look into Jade’s eyes, and I won’t be able to stop the words from flowing out of my mouth.

In Jade’s apartment, I find the same tense silence that I left. Jade sits alone on the couch. Logan is at the window, looking out at the city. Ryan is in the kitchen.

Quietly, I hand the guys their rings. They look at me wide-eyed, but I’m pretty sure they understand what’s about to happen.

Then I go right up to Jade. I don’t bother taking her somewhere private. Logan and Ryan should be here for this, too.

“Ethan?” Jade asks. “What’s that look on your –”

I stand before her and drop down onto one knee.

“Oh my God…” The happy tears start to well in Jade’s eyes.

I take Jade’s hand in my free one, the other clutching the ring box. I feel Logan and Ryan’s eyes on me. I can feel their approval radiating from across the room.

“Jade…” I start to say, but one look into her eyes and I’m lost.

Her gorgeous hazel eyes shine alluringly like a nebula in deep space. I could look into them for the rest of my life and never want to look away, never want to leave them.

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