“We did a private thing, just her and me,” he said cooly. “So you didn’t miss out.”
“You mean everyone missed out.”
“Sure. Look, the only reason I’m telling you now is because tonight will be the first time you’re seeing us since the wedding, and she’ll be wearing her ring, and so will I, and everyone’s gonna know. And Xander just invited himself over here for pre-party drinks, which means him and Courteney are gonna know in about half an hour, and Matt’s coming, too. So just be honored I called to tell you first.”
“No, you are lucky you told me first, because I would kick your ass if I had to find out at the back of the line behind everyone else.”
“Okay, how are you making this about you?”
I groaned. I locked eyes with Ronan, who was breathing down my neck trying to listen in on this. “Ashley, I’m sorry. I am so incredibly happy for you. I am really, really trying to get past the fact that you just dropped this on me over the phone, and I didn’t get to wear a fabulous dress and toast you guys.”
“Okay…”
“But don’t worry, I’ll do that tonight.”
“I know. And babe, if anyone was coming to the wedding, I would’ve invited you.”
I smiled. “Tell Danica I’m so happy for you guys, and I can’t wait to give you both squishy hugs.”
“Okay. We’ll see you tonight. I gotta go.”
I heard Danica calling to him in the background, and my eyes suddenly welled up. “Shit, I love you guys.” It was all hitting me—right in the heart.
Ash and Danica. Married.
Ash had married his girl.
I knew he loved her. Was crazy about her.
But I didn’t see this coming.
Of course, I’d been pretty wrapped up in my own romance lately…
I looked at Ronan as Ash said, “We love you too, Summer.” I could practically hear his eyes roll.
“See you.” I hung up before I started legit crying or something.
Ronan traced his fingertips down the side of my face. “What happened?” he asked, though I was pretty sure he must’ve heard at least some of that. He was standing so close.
“Ashley and Danica got married.”
He studied my face. “Is that not a good thing?”
“Yeah, it’s good. Oh my God.” I was still trying to absorb this… “Is Ash finally getting his happy ending?”
“I don’t follow.”
I sighed and put the phone down. “Remind me one day to tell you the long and sordid story of Ashley Player and all his broken hearts.”
“Okay…”
“It starts waaay back, with his mom.”
Sympathy softened Ronan’s features. “Ah.”
I blinked a little, my eyes stinging. “He deserves this, Ronan. If anyone deserves this, it’s him.”
He slipped his hands around my waist and tugged me against him gently.
“You’re a good friend, Summer Sorensen.”
“I told you, long ago. I want everyone to be happy.”
“I know you do.” He kissed me softly. Then he murmured against my lips, “Aren’t you gonna open your present?”
“It’s not Christmas yet.” I smiled, and since he looked like he really wanted me to open it, I turned my back to him and wrote Xander’s name on the last gift tag. Ronan’s grip on me loosened but didn’t let go. “We’ll take them with us to Victoria and open them Christmas morning,” I added breezily.
“Christmas is only four days away. You can open it early.”
I glanced at him over my shoulder. He was still standing right behind me, his body pressed to mine. Why was he so damn eager to play Santa Claus all of a sudden?
What happened to the Grinch act?
“You already gave me this Christmas sweater,” he went on, as I turned to face him. “And the underwear and tequila…”
“Which I plan on enjoying more than you do, probably. And those are just silly gifts. Your real gift can wait.” I gave him a lingering, hot kiss. “I’m trying to exercise patience and restraint.” Actually, I was trying to tease him, and it was working. “It’s something you’ve inspired me to do, sweetie.”
For some reason, he didn’t seem happy about that.
I taped Xander’s tag to his gift, then turned on my heel and sauntered away. “Make us those drinks, would you?”
“Where’re you going?” Ronan asked behind me, his voice gruff from that kiss.
“To put on the hottest Christmas party outfit you’ve ever seen.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Summer
I was in my bathroom upstairs, half-dressed and putting the final touches on my makeup, when Ronan walked in.
I’d already slipped into my short black skirt with all the ruffled layers of satin-trimmed organza. On top, I wore a black satin bustier that pushed up my breasts. I’d be slipping the blood-red velvet corset overtop before we left, and I’d be asking him to help lace me into it.
The outfit was by Devoid, and he’d really outdone himself.
“Wow.”
I glanced over my shoulder. Ronan stood behind me, a lime margarita in each hand, drinking me in.
“Thank you,” I teased. Then I went back to dusting powder with a subtle glitter over my cleavage.
He slid up behind me, placing one of the drinks in front of me on the counter. “For you,” he said, and kissed my neck.
I picked it up and took a sip. “Mmm. You are getting better at these.”
“Thank you.” He took a sip of his own. Then he set his drink down and reached to pull something from his back pocket. He slipped a hand around my waist.
He was holding the gold-papered gift.
“Open it,” he whispered, his breath on my ear. His stubble brushed my neck, sending a shiver of pure lust through me.
I met his eyes in the mirror. I wasn’t sure what this was about, but I set my brush down.
“Well… if you insist.” I took the gift and turned to him, a happy flutter in my chest. And while I was unwrapping it… he sank down in front of me.
He was down on one knee.
And suddenly I realized what this was about.
“Oh… my… God,” I gasped. “How could you do this to me?”
Ronan looked alarmed. He actually looked around, confused.
