Page 129 of Her Billionaire Bargain (Kensington Square)

When I dropped her off at the symposium, I didn’t let her go inside until I’d given her a kiss to think of all evening, hopefully one that would work in my favor when I asked her to marry me. Not that I thought she wouldn’t say yes, but you just never knew for sure until the ring was on her finger.

My buddies showed up on time, more or less—Bishop was running late because Adeline had a cough, and Clint was running late because Kitty was freaking about bottling enough milk fortheirrecent addition. Brian Dexter was super cute, but I didn’t want to know anything about the milk situation. Jimmy, the cop in the Cove, was another college buddy, and he hadn’t been able to make it tonight because he had a shift.

Probably good to have fewer people witness the bloodshed, just in case.

By the time the two latecomers arrived, Cal was on their heels and the tree had arrived and been put into place with much fanfare.

Clint, Bishop, and Cal stood on the sidewalk, gawking. The rest of the guys were probably gawking inside.

That gathering of men even included my father, since Preston had claimedhe’dfelt guilty that he wasn’t included.

“It is Christmas,” he reminded me as if I’d somehow forgotten.

Considering the entire purpose of the night was the giant twinkling tree that currently filled the front bay window and even a window on the second floor—which had been fun, because they didn’t exactly line up the way they had in the magazine photo. Then the top piece was on the roof, star in place. And the tree held the bare minimum of decorations, mainly because I needed about one thousand to fill all three pieces.

But that was a tomorrow problem. Berry could help with that. And Shelby too, if she was still speaking to me.

Anyone’s guess there. Since there were a sizable number of needles everywhere.

I should’ve gotten a fake tree to dismember.

Next time.

“That is a choice,” Bishop commented. “Even has a star.”

I’d found one in the bag of decorations Preston had brought over, which was handy since Berry’s bag with hers was lost somewhere in the recesses of my car.

At least I had the wreaths. I’d even hung both.

Preston and my dad came outside to examine the tree from the sidewalk. Isis was the last one out the door and when she saw the tree in its full glory, including the segment on the roof, she started to laugh and covered her mouth. “Dude, she’s gonna kill you dead.”

Well, there was some encouragement for my romantic gesture.

She pulled me aside a moment later, framing my face between her hands before she gave me a giant hug. “I’m proud of you. All marital and shit.”

“Maybe. Assuming I’m not dead.”

“She won’t kill you. Probably. Since you didn’t really cut a hole in the roof of the house she’s spent months renovating.” When I didn’t answer, she tilted her head. “Right, Dexterous?”

I gave in and grinned. “Of course not. Tree’s in pieces. But!”

She narrowed her dark eyes. “But what?”

“Tree has a root ball so we can plant it in back and have a marital commemoration piece!”

Isis looked heavenward and made the sign of the cross. “He knows not what he does. He means well.”

“I do mean well. And if she says yes, you’re going to be my best Isis, right?”

“I assume you mean person to stand up for you.”

“Yes, you’re my best friend in the whole world. I can’t get married without you.”

She frowned and dabbed at her eyes. “Your innate cuteness has saved your life more times than I can count. May Shelby agree.”

“Oh, she does.” I tried to keep my smile in place. “I’m almost sure.”

Isis hugged me hard. “I love you. Of course I’ll be your best Isis, you freaking clown with a heart of gold.”

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