Gavin murmurs, “That’s not the only congratulations you’ll be giving by the end of the night.”
I glare at him and Troy’s eyes glance between the three of us. I can see the wheels turning in his mind, but I don’t stick around to find out if he figures it out or not. Too many people now already know. I don’t want the element of surprise to be taken from me, even though I know none of them would ruin it on purpose.
I stride across the gallery right to my woman. I give Margot, Amelia and Chloe an apologetic smile, but still pull my girl a few steps away from them. I’m pretty sure I catch a knowing glance between them, but I ignore it.
Zoey’s eyebrows knit together in confusion as she smooths a hand over my shoulder. She lit up when she saw me in a suit for the night and she looks smoking fucking hot in her dress. She’s the most beautiful woman in the room and I made sure to tell her as much the moment we arrived.
Concern fills my woman’s voice, “Are you okay, Juni?” She looks around, “Are things selling?”
I shrug, my voice low and raspy, “I don’t care about that.” Her lips part and I know she’s going to say something, but I don’t give her the chance. Instead, I seal my lips to hers and kiss her. It feels just as good as it did the first time. I murmur against her lips, “I only care about you, Zo.”
She sighs and melts into me. Her blue eyes are bright and shining when she pulls back and looks up at me. “I love you and I’m so damn proud of you.” She sweeps her arm out to indicate the gallery. “This is amazing. Your art is amazing.” There’s so much emotion in her voice, “You’re amazing.”
I shake my head and kiss her forehead before I drop down to one knee. I wasn’t sure how I was going to do this, but this feels right. I know the ring is perfect because I had Holden design it. I saw him earlier and he smiled at me like the cat who ate the cream, even though he didn’t know if I was planning on asking Zoey to be my wife tonight or not.
Zoey gasps and her eyes fill with unshed tears, “Juniper.”
I smile up at her and pull the ring out of my pocket, holding it up between us, but she doesn’t look at it. Her eyes are locked with mine, studying me, soaking in the moment. “You’re the amazing one, Zoey. You walked through my door thinking we were going to only be roommates, but I knew the truth the moment I saw you. You were always meant to be mine and I’ll make sure you know it for the rest of our lives.”
“I am yours,” she whispers.
I chuckle. “I know, so,” I take a big breath, “lets make it official. Will you marry me?”
“Of course,” she breathes out.
I slip the ring on her finger, but before I can stand and pull her against me to kiss her, she’s on my lap with her lips pressed against mine. I don’t hesitate to kiss her with everything in me. I get lost in her, the same way I always do.
It takes a moment, but the cheering around us filters through the haze I always find myself in when it comes to my woman. It’s almost deafening, but I wouldn’t expect anything less when it comes to this family.
It might be the night of my gallery show, but we have so much more important things to celebrate now.
Zoey’s going to be my wife. It’s fitting since she’s already my everything. I smile against her lips.
“I love you, Sweetheart.”
“I love you, Roommate.”
We laugh together, the joy around us building and making the moment so much sweeter. I might not have understood what my sister went through when she fell in love with Gavin. My fear of her getting hurt turned me into an asshole. I get it now.
Because the same thing happened to me. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
