“Being nice would be appreciated. If you can manage it.”
“I can try.”
I sighed and offered her a small smile. “Look, I understand you were just being loyal to Cole.”
“Don’t.” She held up a hand to stop me. “I fucked up, Shannon. I stuck my nose in your business and I made it worse. I’m sorry.”
I raised an eyebrow but decided not to tease her for admitting she was wrong. “It’s in the past. It all worked out, right?”
“Yeah.” She smirked and shot a look at Cole. “Although you did kind of steal his moment proposing to him. He’s the most bloody romantic guy I know, and he didn’t get to propose to his girlfriend.”
I bit my lip, staring at him as he laughed at something Stu said. “Do you think he minds?”
“I think he gets to marry you . . . so no. I don’t think he minds.”
*
A couple of hours later we were joined by the twins and Karen, Mike, and a few of Tony and Rae’s friends. People brought beer, food, and champagne, turning the get-together into a full-blown engagement party.
A little tipsy on champagne and wanting the whole world to be as happy as I was, I found myself sidling up to Simon, who was standing brooding in the corner of the studio with a beer in hand. He smiled at my approach. I slid an arm around him and cuddled into his side.
“Are you okay, friend?”
Simon looked down at me. I’d been a little too preoccupied lately with my own stuff to notice the weariness in his eyes. “I will be.”
“The baby thing?”
“Shannon, this is your engagement party. Let’s not talk about it.”
“I want to. I want my friend to be happy.”
He smiled and bent his head to press a kiss to my forehead. “I’m okay.”
“Is Tony?”
Realizing I wasn’t going to stop pestering him until he gave me something, Simon replied, “He loves me. He’s not leaving me.”
“I sense a but.”
“I just don’t want him to end up resenting me.”
“Do you never want to have kids?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I just know I don’t right now.”
“That’s why he’s staying.” I squeezed his arm and pulled away. “Who knows what you’ll want in the future? No one ever does. Tony doesn’t want to walk away from you on a maybe. He loves you, Simon. And you love him. So stop brooding about the future and just enjoy what you have right now.”
Simon pushed away from the wall, his gaze fixed on his partner, who was laughing with Rae and looking exceptionally handsome in a black open-collared shirt and black trousers. Simon couldn’t hide the way he felt about Tony. It emanated from him. He shot me a smile of thanks. “I think I’ll do that.”
I watched as he strode across the room with purpose, coming up behind Tony and placing a hand on his shoulder. He leaned in and pressed his lips to Tony’s jaw. Tony’s eyelids grew heavy and lazy as he turned to meet Simon’s mouth with his own.
“Playing matchmaker?” Cole murmured, wrapping his arms around me and drawing me back against his chest.
I relaxed against him. “Just passing along a very important lesson you taught me.”
“Hmm.” He brushed his lips over my ear. “How about we go home and I teach you a little something else?”
I shivered in anticipation. “Like?”
“Life drawing skills. If I remember correctly you promised you’d let me draw you naked.”
Grinning, I turned around in his arms. “I did, didn’t I?” I pressed closer. “Let’s make it more interesting.”
“More interesting than drawing you naked?”
“Uh-huh. Let’s make a bet.”
“A bet?”
“I bet you that you’ll give in to temptation and score with your nude model within ten minutes.”
Cole gave me an “oh, please” look. “I’ll take that bet. I’ll last at least thirty minutes.”
“So cocky.” I was so going to win this bet. “Terms?”
“If I win I get your mouth first.” He winked.
I laughed. “Dirty boy. Fine. If I win I get your mouth first.”
“Deal.”
I shook the hand he held out. “Deal.”
*
I didn’t play fair as a nude model. Let’s just say I was never very good at sitting completely still.
Cole lasted three minutes.
CHAPTER 27
A week later we found ourselves back at Joss and Braden’s home. Ellie wanted us to celebrate our engagement in style. I don’t know how they managed to pull off another get-together so quickly, but the dining table was covered in buffet food, and there were decorations and cake. Everyone had carved time out of their busy schedules. They’d also brought gifts that were now piled in the hallway.
“There you are.” Hannah smiled at us. She approached carrying the tiny bundle that was Jarrod.
Cole’s family and friends lounged in the sitting room in much the same way as they had the week before. I was a little nervous being around them again after they’d witnessed my emotional proposal, but after having dinner with Jo and Cam this week, I at least felt more comfortable around Cole’s big sister.