Not Just Friends (Hot in the City #3) - T. Gephart Page 0,108

She was wearing that gold dress that drove me crazy and a diamond ring I’d slipped on her finger earlier in the day that was an extra special accessory.

We hadn’t announced it yet, not wanting it to overshadow the opening, but we weren’t denying it either. Raelle had spotted it right away, Vault’s bar manager screaming and pointing to it the minute we’d walked in. Tibbs knew I was going to ask, my intention to marry his sister, something I hadn’t bothered to hide.

I’d had the ring for a month, looking for the right time to ask. Considering we were already living together, I assumed the answer was going to be yes. But even a cocky asshole knew there was always a small possibility of a no. Maybe she wasn’t ready for it or maybe she didn’t want the piece of paper. But I wasn’t going to let that stop me, deciding I’d waited long enough and finally got down on one knee in her bathroom that morning. It felt like the right place for it, and I was more than ready to have her wear my ring.

The yes had come without a second of hesitation, making the opening night of Vault one we were never going to forget. That and I couldn’t wait to have sex with my fiancée in her new office, but we’d do that after David left.

Fiancée. Man, I loved saying that word. The only one I liked better was wife, but it was going to be a year before I could say that. Presley had a tough twelve months ahead of her, managing two clubs wasn’t for the faint hearted, but I didn’t doubt she’d rock it. But waiting also meant that when we finally did take the walk down the aisle, we’d be able to take a honeymoon too. It had to be somewhere hot and near a beach, requiring the least amount of clothes possible. Other than that, I didn’t care, with no intention to sightsee, other than the inside of our hotel room.

“Anyone hear from Chief?” Evans asked. “Is he stopping by?”

North laughed, shaking his head. “Evans, Hayden is due any day now, he isn’t going anywhere. And you guys thought I was bad when Quinn was pregnant, Mack takes that shit to a whole new level.”

Other than Presley’s new club opening, there had been some other changes as well. Mack got Hayden pregnant almost immediately, the idea North could be dethroned as Mack’s favorite kid, a very real possibility. And I moved into Presley’s fancy loft, leaving Tibbs in need of a new roommate. Evans was itching to take my old room, but Tibbs was holding out. I didn’t know if it was to piss him off or because he’d gotten used to living alone, but either way it was entertaining to watch.

“Hey, is everyone having a good time?” My future wife—okay so maybe I was already saying it—sidled up next to me. “Make sure you try some of Scott’s wine, he donated thirty cases of it.”

“Thirty cases?” I raised an eyebrow. “A little excessive, don’t you think? One might think he is trying to charm you.”

“He’s already tried and failed, Leighton. No need to get territorial.” She grinned, rubbing a hand down my chest.

Of all the problems in my world, Scott Collins wasn’t one of them, but I’d be a fucking moron to think he wouldn’t try.

Presley was the whole package, and any man would give their right arm to have her. I still don’t know how any of her ex-boyfriends could’ve walked away. All of them fucking idiots, and I was eternally grateful for their stupidity.

But of all the dumbasses, there was only one I truly hated, the dickstain who was still serving time for attempted murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping, and a few other crimes. He literally had more charges against him than braincells, his future including a jumpsuit and cell bars. And if he ever got out, there’d be a welcome party waiting for him that would have him begging to go back in.

“So,” Presley yanked on my arm, lowering her voice, “you want to go see my office? I have a pretty impressive desk.”

She was killing me, her eyes doing all the suggestions her mouth didn’t need to with an ironclad guarantee I’d follow her right off the edge of that cliff.

I coughed, clearing my throat as I whispered back, “I thought we were waiting until David left. And unless he has a twin, he’s still sitting