Page 48 of Winner Takes All

“You’re absolutely stunning tonight, Nik,” he whispers in my ear, his warm breath sending shivers through me.

“I was about to say the same to you. It isn’t often I see you dressed up,” I tell him. He’s wearing a white button-down shirt, a fitted vest, and crisp blue jeans. Slacks would be far too much to ask of my humble man. I think he’s perfect just the way he is, more than perfect, actually.

“I’d steal this woman away from you in a heartbeat if I could get away with it,” Robert says with a wink. “You got one of the last good ones left.”

“Trust me, I know,” Victor says. He then shakes Robert’s hand. “Tonight’s amazing. I’m so glad to have you and everyone we love here. This place truly couldn’t have happened without you.”

“Don’t be getting all mushy,” Robert says, but he’s beaming at us.

“That’s it for the mushy stuff,” Victor says before he steps to the bar and gets a drink.

Before I can add more, Sasha and Courtney arrive. “We’re stealing your girl,” Sasha says as she takes my arm and starts pulling me away. I laugh as I send a wave Victor’s way. He doesn’t try to interfere. There’s no stopping us when we’re on a mission, and my friends seem to be on one for sure.

They pull me away from prying ears as we step down onto the beach. It’s a nice break to get away from the noise for a minute. We turn and look back at the restaurant, at all of our friends andfamily enjoying each other’s company with delicious food and drinks, and soft music playing. From this view, the restaurant is even more beautiful all lit up. I can’t believe we’ve done it. I’m still in awe.

“What has you ladies dragging me away?” I ask.

“Your restaurant is open, and it’s been a year since you and Victor came together, and yet we still don’t see a ring on your finger,” Sasha says as she pointedly looks at my hand.

I let out a groan. “Really, guys? This is why you pulled me away?” I don’t let them know this sends a ping through my heart. I’ve been starting to wonder the same thing.

“This is important,” Courtney says. “Is it you or him? Is he dragging his feet? We can rough him up if it needs to be done.” The funny thing about this is it’s only partially a joke. My friends aren’t above beating someone up if they hurt one of us. This makes me laugh as I shake my head.

“Please don’t beat up my boyfriend. The two of us are just fine. We’re better than fine, actually, we’re perfect together. That’s all that matters in the end.”

Sasha narrows her eyes, studying me. “I know you’re happy, but don’t you want more?”

I give a sigh. There’s no lying to my friends. “Sure, I want more. I want it all, but there’s no reason to rush it. We’re happy, truly happy. Each day I’m with him gets better and better,” I say.

Courtney grins. “So, you do want to marry him, but you’re waiting for him to ask?”

I shake my head. “I’m not waiting. We haven’t even talked about it. If it happens, it happens.”

Sia appears, seeming to dance right out of the fog onto the beach. I laugh. She looks like a mermaid who just came from the ocean in her sparkly teal dress.

“You could always ask him,” she says with a mischievous grin.

I quickly shake my head. “Not a chance. I’m an old-fashioned girl in that area,” I say.

“I love when a girl asks a guy, but I have to admit, I’m old-fashioned on that as well,” Sasha agrees. “There’s something utterly romantic in a man dropping to his knees for the woman he loves.”

We all sigh. “Maybe that’s why we like the men asking, because they’re usually so strong, but in that moment, they’re so vulnerable, giving us everything.”

“So, to be clear, you do want him to ask?” Courtney asks.

“Yes, but I’m not in a hurry. I know this is a shock, as I’m usually the impatient one of our group, but I’m happy with Victor. If it happens, it will be at the right moment. We’re locked together now, and that’s good enough.”

“Good enough has never been enough, but we’ll give him some time before we rough him up,” Sia says. This makes me laugh again.

“Don’t you girls mess this up. I’m enjoying the moment. You should be happy I’m calming down,” I tell them.

We walk back to the restaurant and the moment I step onto the patio, Victor catches my eyes across the crowd and beams at me. I smile back, feeling the familiar flutter in my chest as our gazes lock. We’re fine. We’re perfectly fine.

“I need to see my man,” I tell the girls as I start making my way toward him. He meets me in the middle and holds out his hand.

“May I have this dance?” We’ve kept our promise to each other and dance together more nights than we don’t. It’s beautiful and my favorite moment of the day.

I slip my hand into his and smile as he pulls me close. We gently sway to the music in the middle of our restaurant, surrounded by our loved ones. His warm hand on my back andthe steady beat of his heart beneath my ear are all I need in this world. I’m happy, I’m so very happy.

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