Page 112 of Something Borrowed

Stan shakes his head. “Iknewyou weren’t paying attention. Manifesting was about peace and joy.”

“Well, punching him in the mouth will bring me joy, and then we’ll all get some peace.”

Pat snorts, and I shake my head, marching away, aware of everyone staring and unable to give a shit. Leo and Rich are married now. Real life is here.

“Come on,” I shout.

Chairs squeak behind me, and when I turn, I’m unsurprised to find Stan standing too. I edge back and tap his hand to see if he wants my arm and he takes it. “Why can’t you let me deal with him?” I say softly.

He shakes his head, a smile playing on his lips. He looks almost radiant.

“You have no idea what you said a minute ago, and I will never leave you on your own, Raff.”

Somehow, I know he means more than this moment with the wanker he’s engaged to, and I let that feeling flood through me—the knowledge that he always has my back.

“Okay,” I say. “Let’s go.”

I lead him out onto the patio, explaining where we are as we go.

Bennett waits on the patio’s edge, his face impatient and cold. “Well?” he snaps.

I come to a stop and set Stan’s hand on a nearby chair in case he wants to sit down.

“I called you away from the table, because I wanted to finish this away from the celebration.” I take a deep breath and then say firmly, “I want you to release Stan from your engagement.”

“Oh, Raff,” Stan says with a sharp breath.

“Why?” Bennett demands.

“Because I’m in love with him,” I say boldly, and there’s a crash as Stan’s cane falls over.

“Sorry,” he calls, his voice wavering.

“You alright?” I ask, frowning.

He swallows. “Yes,” he says, his voice shaking. “Go on. You’re in love with me?”

This makes me grin. “Well, ofcourseI am,” I say.

“Oh. I love you too,” he says, and my heart feels like it might climb out of my chest.

“Excuse me.”

I turn to find Bennett glaring at me.

“Sorry,” I say quickly. “I’m in love with him, and he’s in love with me. You’ll need to break your engagement. Right fucking now.”

“Really? And why should I do that? He said yes to me.”

“He said yay, actually,” I state.

He steps closer. “He said yes.”

“Bennett.” Stan’s voice holds a funny note of warning, and I look between the two of them as Bennett huffs.

There’s a long moment where I feel like I’ve stepped into a boxing ring and the crowd is waiting in anticipation for me to knock this man out. Too bad I’ve always been a lover and not a fighter. I wouldn’t know an uppercut from Upper Boddington. Still, my fingers curl into fists, and I bravely take a step forward.

Bennett is not impressed. He rolls his eyes at me, in fact. “Whatever. You two deserve each other,” he mutters before stalking away.

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