Page 121 of The Love Losers

He doesn’t remind me that I’m the one who wanted to close them in the first place. Instead, he puts one of his big hands on my thigh and says, “When the song is done.”

The last strains sound as he parks the car, and I open my eyes. The first thing I see is him, looking at me expectantly, his eyes so warm and full of light. An almost overwhelming feelingof love washes over me before I shift my gaze to the store in front of us.

Averyfancy bridal boutique, where I’m bound to get plenty of side-eye in paint-splashed yoga pants and a rainbow hoodie. I really wish I was wearing something different, but on the other hand, what a transformation it will be.

Claire, Lainey, Joy, and Emma are waiting outside. Emma’s holding a bottle of champagne.

“Oh my God,” I say.

He takes my hand, rubbing over his ring on my finger. “I want you to get anything you want,” he says. “Forget reason. Forget frugality. Get whatever you want. No limit. Nothing’s too good for my wife.”

“What if I want something with sequins? Or color?”

“I’d expect nothing less.” He grins at me, obviously pleased with himself, as he should be. Then his mouth purses to the side. “And I figured maybe you’d like some bridesmaids too. If you do, get them dresses too. Whatever they want. I’m going to ask Jake and your brothers to stand up with me.”

Happy tears fill my eyes, because I didn’t realize how much I wanted that. Because I’ve found a man who brought me on a unicorn ride and is about to make me a princess. No, a queen.

He grins at me again. “They already have my credit card information. Emma’s going to drive you to the bar later. My mother and Nicole and Damien are going to meet us there.”

We made arrangements with them last night—they’re going to be sitting directly behind where we’ll be with Nina and Wilson.

“You’ve made me very happy, Mr. Darcy,” I tell him, then kiss him in a sloppy way you probably shouldn’t kiss your man in front of your friends.

When I pull away, he says, “I want to make you happy. Always. That’ll always be number one on my list.”

And, you know what? I believe him.

I’ma little drunk when Emma pulls up in front of the Peanut Bar several hours later. We’re early, because we figured it would be easier to get everyone where they need to go if we arrange ourselves before Nina and Wilson arrive.

She glances at me. “It’s a pretty dress, but are you sure you want to go through with this?”

I sit up straighter in my seat, studying her. She’s as hard to read as her mother, and as tough. Her exterior is, anyway. I like her, but I get the sense that I don’t really know her yet. I suspect there are layers to her that she doesn’t yet see herself. But maybe that’s just my fanciful side talking. “I thought you said I’d proven myself.”

“You did,” she says with a gusty exhale. “Don’t listen to me. You and Anthony are obviously ridiculously happy. It’s sickening, actually. I’ve just…”

She rubs her temples the way Anthony does when he’s overwhelmed. “I’ve seen so many relationships end in misery. It makes me doubt it’s worth it.”

“No offense,” I say, “but maybe you should find a new specialty.” I consider the possibilities.

Real estate? Boring.

Criminal law? Scary.

Finance law? Also boring.

I’m not sure what other kinds of lawyers there are, actually.

“Or maybe stop being a lawyer,” I muse.

She huffs a laugh. “Yeah. Maybe.”

I see Anthony’s car pull into the lot, but I don’t move to get out. Not yet.

“What happened to you?”

Emma startles. “You mean he didn’t tell you?”

“He’s not exactly the gossip express. Give me a few months to work on him.”

---