Page 25 of Why Not Forever?

“You’re fucking gorgeous, Vic.”

She rolls her eyes, but I note the way the corner of her lips kick up in a small smile.

“Let’s go in. Everything will be fine.” I take her hand as I lead her to the building, pulling out my keys so I can get in. “I told them last weekend that we were dating, and I’d be bringing you today. This is going to be a surprise, but not a huge shock.”

As we ride up the elevator, she asks, “Do you come here often?”

“About every couple weeks. There’s a lot of birthdays. And Mom likes to have her kids and grandkids around. She’s even been hinting at great grandkids soon.”

“You have a niece or nephew who’s old enough for that?” Her eyes are wide as the elevator stops and we get out.

I nod as we go down the hall. “Skylar’s the oldest. She’s twenty-six. She got married last year, but I don’t think they’re planning on kids right away.”

Vic nudges me with her shoulder. “So you have a niece who got married before you?”

I meet her eyes and wink. “Maybe I was waiting for the right woman.”

Before she can respond, I open the door and let us into my parents’ apartment.

“Hey,” I call. “We’re here.”

We meet Brooke first. She’s in the kitchen, pulling plates from the cupboard for Rebecca and Juliet to set the tables.

“Oh, good,” Brooke says. “Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes. You’re late.”

Vic glares at me. I roll my eyes.

“Thanks, Brooke. I told her we weren’t late.”

She hands off the plates and Rebecca and Juliet take them away, grinning at each other as they listen to us. “Don’t lie, and I won’t call you out.”

“Don’t start dinner early and I won’t be late. Mom said dinner at six. If it’s ready in fifteen, that means you’re early. I’m not late.”

“Children, stop bickering,” Mom says as she comes into the kitchen. Then she walks straight to Vic, enveloping her in a hug. “Hello, dear. Welcome. I’m so glad to meet you. Tanner has talked about you a lot over the years.”

“He has?” Vic asks, looking at me in question.

I shrug and don’t say anything. I don’t need Vic to suspect how much I’ve liked her, even after I started at Sterling, and she stopped speaking to me.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Marcus,” Vic says, turning her attention back to my mother.

“Oh, please. Call me Annette. Why don’t we go into the living room, and I’ll introduce you to everyone.”

Before they can take a step, Brooke says, “What is that?”

She’s staring at Vic’s left hand, where her engagement ring sparkles in the overhead light. Vic looks at Brooke first, then her hand, then at me, asking me what she should say.

“It’s an engagement ring,” I say, as calmly as I can.

Mom gasps, both hands flying to her mouth.

“If she’s dating you,” Brooke says, “who is she engaged to? Didn’t you start dating like a week ago?”

Rebecca and Juliet are back now for the cutlery and staring, too.

“It was more than a week ago and she’s engaged to me.” I sigh. “Let’s go into the living room and we’ll tell everyone at once.”

I take Vic’s hand again, drawing her with me.

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