Page 130 of Her Billionaire Bargain (Kensington Square)

I hugged her back. “Not sure that’s a compliment but thank you anyway.”

The next one who came to bolster me was my brother.

“I’m sorry about Dad,” he said as it once more started to snow. We were all still outside freezing our balls off to the tune of the piped-in Christmas music, thanks to the external speakers Shelby had gotten installed along the eaves earlier in the year.

I was pretty sure my tree display had mesmerized my friends. Or else they were all halfway to drunk.

I’d had not even so much as a shot.

I waved off my brother’s apology, turning toward where our father was deep in conversation with Cal. About what, was anyone’s guess.

Hopefully, he wasn’t giving my buddy dating tips.

I still had no clue who Cal had been…interacting with in the back room or wherever the night Bishop’s baby had been born.

“It was a nice gesture,” I told Preston.

“Yeah, I’m capable of those sometimes. But sometimes I act like an ass, as I’ve done with you for the better part of a couple years. Probably before that.”

I cocked my head. “I’d say it was since I was about ten but good talk.”

He winced. “Probably right. I was always so fucking jealous of you.”

“Jealous of me?” I couldn’t keep the shock out of my tone.

“Yes. You were always the favorite. Everything always came easy for you. Our parents love you best. Women love you. You could do no wrong.”

“Funny, I remember that completely differently. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle.”

“I’m proud of you, man. Bringing on Eli, making the office your own. You handled all of it without help from me or dad.”

“I had Isis. And Eli has been a big help. Assuming he and Isis don’t kill each other, I think we may be on an upward trend.” I jerked a shoulder.

Did I get the seeming animosity afoot between those two? No. Had I spent much time thinking about it? Also no.

“Still, man, you don’t give yourself enough credit. And now marrying Shelby and becoming Berry’s dad. You’re a good guy, and I haven’t been cognizant of that enough.”

I smiled as the tips of his ears went visibly red even in the dark. Of course it could’ve been because it felt sub-zero out here.

“Thanks, man. I’ve always looked up to you. So, I really appreciate it.” I looked over my shoulder. “And hey, if we’re confessing…I’ve always been jealous that Bishop was your best friend and not me.”

“What about Isis and you?”

“Yeah. I have an awesome best friend. She’s gonna stand up for me, by the way. But.”

“I wouldn’t expect any less. But what?”

“I still wanted to be your best friend. Guess it just wasn’t in the cards.”

Preston smiled. “We still have time. Long as you don’t expect exclusivity on that score.”

“Nah. I’m good with that role holding a couple people. True for me too.”

“Yeah.” He clapped me on the back before he dragged me into a one-armed hug.

Not long after, everyone headed out after the needed question was added to the roof. Preston had found a company to arrange lights into words, thereby making my night so much easier.

I hadn’t relished possibly breaking my neck and ending up in traction if I’d had to be the one to put the question up there.

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