you have a problem getting men. Maybe if you work a little less, you’ll find someone.”
She rolls her eyes.
“Every time I talk to you, you’re working.” I raise my eyebrows.
“Business is good. What can I say?” She shrugs.
“And what exactly is it you do again?” I ask, because she’s never answered me directly and as far as know it’s not a company she’s running. She’s a lone wolf.
“I work with computers.” She grins, but there’s something mischievous underlying her smile.
“Yeah, you said that.” I shake my head. “Have you ever thought of going to work for Lincoln Cross? From what Garrin says, his company does really well. I’m sure you could kill it over there.”
The usual playfulness in her face vanishes with a bland expression. “Yeah, not gonna happen.”
I lift my wineglass with my right hand. “Did something happen between you two? You guys never dated or anything in high school, right?” I sip my wine.
“I don’t want to talk about it. Let’s get back to your weekend. Tell me all the dirty details.”
I go through all the activities we did—the skiing, the lookout, the private chef—and skim over the sex just to satisfy her.
“There’s something else, though.” I fidget with my earring with my right hand.
“Did he ask for anal?” She mocks seriousness and I roll my eyes.
“No, not anal, but he did ask me to spend the rest of my life with him.” I raise my left hand and place it on the table to show her my ring.
Her mouth drops open and she stares at the ring, to me and back to the ring. “Holy shit!” She yanks my hand toward her to get a better look and my stomach hits the table, making me grunt. “You’re engaged?”
“I am.” I smile, hesitantly waiting to see how she feels about this news.
“Wow, Isla. That is… just wow.”
I pull my hand back from her. “Are you happy for me?”
I hadn’t realized how much I need her to be happy for me until the words are out of mouth.
“Of course I am! Come here.” She stands and I follow suit. We meet at the side of the table and share a hug. My muscles relax with relief.
“I wasn’t sure what you’d think,” I admit.
She pulls away and holds me at arm’s length by the shoulders. “I mean, it’s fast and a little surprising given Garrin’s reputation, but it’s clear for anyone to see how happy you’ve been since you started dating. So of course I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you.” I pull her in for another hug and we each return to our seats. I’m not sure I entirely believe her, but then I guess Garrin does have a reputation in this town, and I can’t sweep that fact under the rug.
“He did a killer job picking the ring. It’s gorgeous.”
“Right? I couldn’t have picked anything better myself.”
“Wow. You’re getting married. To a Classhole no less.” She shakes her head in disbelief. “Do your parents know?”
I lift my wineglass to my lips again. “I told my mom with Garrin last night. She was surprised but supportive. My dad was already sleeping for the night, so I told him this morning. He’s pretty weak at the moment, but he seemed supportive. A little wary, since he hasn’t officially met Garrin, but he supports it based on whatever my mom told him.”
“That’s awesome. Have you told his father?” She tilts her drink back.
I shake my head. “I don’t know if he’s told him. Garrin doesn’t have the best relationship with his dad.”
She nods, then claps her hands together, skipping to the next topic. “So, when’s the wedding going to be? I imagine it’s going to take some time to plan the kind of wedding expected for Garrin Stone.”
My stomach knots. “We haven’t really discussed it yet. I know he’s expected to have a huge society wedding, but if I’m honest, it’s not really what I want.”
“You mean you don’t want everyone in the country with a net worth over five hundred million who you’ve never met before to share in your most special day?” She mock-gasps.
I chuckle. “Weird, right?”
My phone buzzes on the table, and I look over apologetically at Everly. “Sorry, just let me grab this in case it has something to do with my dad.” I lift the phone and turn over the screen so that I can see who it is, but I don’t recognize the number. I press the button to take the call and lift the phone to