Page 137 of Gin & Trouble

Sophia leaned closer to Enzo. “Who is that man talking to Shanna?”

“Jackson Landry. He’s a long-time friend of hers.” Enzo waited for her to turn and study Jack before he gave me a what-the-hell-was-that-about look.

“Does he live in New Orleans?” She spoke without taking her eyes off Jackson.

“He does.” Enzo nudged her side. “And he’s single.”

Frankie lowered her voice. “All the more reason to come back to New Orleans with us.”

“Indeed.” Sophia grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and sauntered over to Shanna and Jack.

“Landry isn’t going to know what hit him.” I slung my arm around Frankie.

“Maybe not, but he’ll die with a smile on his face.” She nuzzled closer.

“On that note. I’m going to dance with my wife.” Enzo walked away.

Frankie batted her lashes at me. “Can we go back to the guesthouse now?”

“Actually, come with me to the garden. There’s something I want to ask you.”

She pushed out her lower lip, but tightened her grip on my arm.

We’d taken three steps when Gabe stopped us.

Holding his sleeping son in his arms, he whispered, “I sent a small fortune to the couple who helped you on Alicudi.”

“Tino and Maria?” Wide-eyed, Frankie glanced between us.

“Did someone else help us on Alicudi?” I winked at her before speaking to Gabe. “Thanks. I appreciate your help.”

“Anytime.” He glanced at Rocco. “I’m going to put this one to bed. He’s all partied out.”

I’d hoped to whisk her away someplace quiet, make my speech, put the ring on her finger, and celebrate with my family. All of my family. “You’re coming back right? It’s almost midnight.”

Gabe made a production about yawning. “I’m beat. Plus, it’ll be too loud out here to hear the baby monitor over the fireworks.”

Oh. I forgot about the display my parents had planned.

A new plan began to form. Sure, I’d likely steal some of the bride and groom’s thunder, but Dahlia wouldn’t care and Leo would get over it. I glanced at the time on my phone. “Give me five minutes.”

Gabe lowered his brows. “Whatever you’re going to do better be worth traumatizing my son with fireworks.”

“What’s going on?” Frankie folded her arms.

“You’ll see.” I half dragged her to the front of the dance floor and waved my arms like an idiot to get the band leader’s attention.

“Dante, what are you doing?” Her voice shook. No big surprise, she had to know what was about to happen.

The music quieted, and I dropped to one knee.

Frankie glanced at the friends and family surrounding us before finally settling on me.

Funny, I’d watched my self-confident brothers fall to pieces when they’d proposed, but I didn’t feel a single ounce of nerves. I was the shy, awkward one of the bunch—but I was absolutely sure I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.

I took her hands in mine. “Frankie, I thought I was in love with you that first night when you showed up in pleather pants and quoted my favorite villain, but I was wrong. It wasn’t when you pulled your ninja moves and laid me out in your cubicle, or when you kicked my butt at video games, or even seeing you dressed in a metal bikini.”

A slow smile spread across her face and she shook her head.

---