Page 159 of Dream Girl
“Bren, I still have Riley’s pack ring in my safe. She should have it for the gala–and it would probably mean the most if you gave it to her,” Spencer said quietly.
Brennan played with his pack ring on his right pinky. “Okay, it’s time.”
“I know we’re not ready for Grace to join us, but Wes, you have some sort of ring for her to wear to stuff, right?” Jett asked. “At the science dinner, I sawa lotof alphas looking her up and down and licking their lips when they didn’t see a visible bite or engagement or wedding ring, or a pack ring or tattoo, and she really doesn’t smell claimed until you’re right next to her. But I bet Spencer could choose something better. As I’ve said before, I think we need to get pack tattoos.”
“I have something for her. I picked it up today from getting sized. It’s not flashy. She might like one of those for special occasions. This is more for every day. It was my grandmother’s.” I took it out of my jacket pocket.
Inside the velvet box sat an emerald-cut blue sapphire accented with diamonds in an antique white-gold setting. It wasn’t very large, but it was pretty.
“Very tasteful,” Spencer agreed, looking at it.
“Oh.” The server gasped as she brought our drinks. “Do you need help with something special? Perhaps you’d like to put it in a glass of champagne or on a slice of cake? This is for the birthday girl?”
“It is. I’ve got this, but thank you,” I told her, accepting a fresh drink. A ring in your cake? What if you accidentally ate it?
A moment later, Evan appeared, with Riley on one arm, Grace on the other. Riley wore a long black dress with a high slit and lots of sparkles, and chunky heels.
Grace…
If people hadn’t been staring at our table, they werenow.
Evan was wearing what I always thought of as hisdapper suit,when he wanted to look dashing–and he wore the green tie I’d gotten him. Which matched the fancy green dress I’d bought for Grace. She wore the peach blossom necklace Spencer had given her along with a sparkly hair clip I hadn’t seen, and a cute little wrap.
While Spencer and Grace had looked picture-perfect at the science dinner, tonight Evan and Grace werebreathtaking.
We all stood. All four of us. Spencer pulled out a chair for Riley, Brennan got Evan’s chair, and I got Grace’s.
“You look beautiful.” I gave Grace a kiss. “Evan, you’re so handsome.”
“Ri, that dress. That’s the one from the mall, right?” Jett raised his glass.
“You’re fucking right it is. Don’t spill anything on it. It’s for the dance tomorrow. Fuck me. Look at that view.” Riley got out her phone and took a selfie with the city in the background, then one with the restaurant behind her.
The server came over to us. “Any drinks?”
“I’d like a bottle of cabernet, the older the better,” Riley stated.
“No.” Brennan shook his head.
“Fine, lime soda.” She huffed in annoyance.
“Highball,” Evan ordered.
The server looked at Grace. “Would you like our champagne list?”
“Whiskey smash,” Grace replied.
“Well, that fits,” Jett laughed as the server left. “We’re pretty much a whiskey and bourbon house. Except for Spencer and his merlot.”
Spencer frowned. “We have wine with dinner all the time.”
“I don’t mind wine, I just don’t know much about it. Look! It’s so beautiful,” Grace breathed as she looked out the window.
“Not as beautiful as you,” Evan teased, snagging her for a kiss.
Nothing was as beautiful as them.
The server came back with the drinks. “Let me tell you about today's specials so you can order.”
