Page 126 of The Penalty

“He’s so nice,” Killian gushed. “And, like, a regular person. Not some me, me, me celebrity. So refreshing.”

“I think we lost our audience,” Maxim teased, nudging my foot under the table. “Are you okay, Victoria?”

I reached for a piece of bread and smiled. “I’m good. Hungry, tired, the usual.”

“How’s Xavier?” Max’s dark eyes glinted in the candlelight.

Stressed, exhausted, ready to burn down the world for me. “He’s good.”

The boys shared a knowing glance. Both of them knew when I didn’t reveal the entire truth. For some odd reason, they didn’t gang up on me this time and let my non-answer slide.

“We have something exciting we want to tell you.” Killian put his hand on Max’s. “We’re doing the thing.”

“The thing?” I started to bite into the bread, paused, and pulled it out of my mouth. “Oh my God. The thing?” My heart leapt into my throat. “You’re getting married? For real?”

“One hundred percent for real.”

“Oh Killian.” Tears filled my eyes. “When? Where?”

“New Year’s Eve. Right here in Manhattan.”

People seated at the tables near us stared at me when I squealed and jumped up to hug them. Happiness isn’t a strong enough word to express how I felt. Killian and Max have been together nearly six years and always hinted at marriage but kept putting it off.

“What changed?” I asked, kissing each one of them on the cheek before returning to my seat.

“We wanted to get ours out of the way so yours could be front and center on all the society pages.” Killian’s smart ass grin glowed in the dim lighting.

“I’m not engaged.” I calmly sipped some wine. “I don’t plan to be any time soon.”

Both of them snickered. I loved them to pieces but come on. Marriage was the furthest thing from my mind these days.

“Keep telling yourself that, baby girl. The public is obsessed with you two. How many followers do you have now?”

Two hundred thousand. “Good thing I don’t equate my self-worth with the number of people who follow me on social media.”

“That many, huh?” His gray eyes sparkled. “My branding services are available to you at the family and friends discount. Just saying.”

Max elbowed him. “Leave her alone.”

Dinner with the boys was just what I needed. I even tried to get Hannah to come out with us. Her polite refusal didn’t surprise me. She’d been quieter than usual lately. Then again, I ran out of the stadium like my ass was on fire after the post-game presser last night without saying a word to her. I made a mental note to schedule a girls’ night before the home opener. Or maybe a spa day.

“Oh!” I exclaimed. “Let me see the ring. Or rings.”

I glanced at their hands. A silver ring glinted against Max’s dark skin. Killian propped his hand up because if there’s anyone who loves to be the center of attention as much as Xavier, it’s Killian. He wiggled his fingers, showing off a ring with a thin row of glittering diamonds.

“Platinum?” I asked.

“Of course.”

“Do you mind if I splash it all over social media?”

“Sweetie, I’d be pissed if you didn’t.” Killian slung his arm over Max’s shoulders and smiled.

They are, without question, the most attractive couple I’ve ever seen.

Killian flagged down our server so I could be in a photo with them. By this time, several tables surrounding ours lifted a glass of wine or water or whatever they were drinking in celebration. I posted the photos with the caption My loves are getting married. No need to be pithy when the truth is way better. Within a few minutes, an incoming text chimed.

Mildly Hot: Tell the lads I said well done

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