Page 154 of Marrying the Billionaire Single Dad
Light spills out, along with laughter and the clinking of glasses. The hum of conversation envelops me with almost as much warmth as the wide smile on the face of the woman who stands in the doorway. "Karina." Summer Sterling grins up at me, her impish smile lighting up her face. "You came."
"I could hardly refuse your husband," I mutter.
She laughs, "Sinclair can be persuasive."
"That's putting it mildly."
She chuckles, then pulls me into a hug, "Happy New Year. It's wonderful to have you here with us today."
"Ah." I pat her shoulder. Awkward... That's me...with any kind of demonstration of affection. Comes from being the daughter of a single parent, who also happened to be a career military man.
Summer steps back, then links her arm through mine. A liveried man darts forward to shut the door, "Sorry I didn't get here in time, Madam." His rich, plummy accent has me staring at him.
"It's alright, Jeeves," Summer sings out, "I prefer to get the door for my friends anyway."
"Very good, Madam." He stands to attention as we walk past him.
"Is his name really Jeeves?" I whisper to Summer.
"No, but that's what I call him," she whispers back.
"Honestly, Summer." I stare down at her.
"What?" She raises her shoulders. "It suits him. Besides, it gives me the perfect excuse to practice all of my Bertie Wooster trivia questions on Sin."
"You mean Sinclair Sterling unbends enough to answer them?"
"He's still in training." She nods, "But he'll get there."
I laugh, "You're good for him, you know that?"
"Those of the Seven who've gotten hitched have been lucky in finding the right women."
"And who is that?" I ask, "The right kind of woman for one of the Seven?"
"Someone who can hold her own, who doesn't hesitate to go toe to toe with them and challenge them, who doesn't back down when they go—"
"All alphahole on you." I nod.
"See, you know what to do. So, what's stopping you?"
"What do you mean?" I frown down at her.
"I mean you and Arpad. What's stopping the two of you from—?"
"Kar-e-e-na." I look up to find Julia walking toward me.
"Hey," I wave back. "How are you?"
"I'm very good." She beams, "Also, I have news for you."
"I knew it!' Summer squeals. She grabs Julia's hand, "OMG, he did it? You guys are back together?"
Julia's face breaks into a wide grin, "Yes... Yes, we are."
"Congratulations!" Summer exclaims. "About time Damian did the right thing.
"This is amazing news." I smile, "I am so happy for you, Jules."
