Page 112 of Playing Dirty
"We're getting married," I confirm, and then I kiss her with everything I have, the lanterns glowing and the ocean roaring below, and all of it is exactly right.
Margot
Napa Valley, California
We got back from Ireland yesterday, jet-lagged and happier than I've ever been in my life. My ring catches the dying evening light as Cillian and I wander through the Solstice grounds, the autumn vines striping the hills in shades of orange and deep crimson. It’s my favorite season here; the heat has finally surrendered, leaving the valley washed in a soft, low glow.
We texted the news to everyone the moment we landed, his family, my parents, and the group chat, which exploded instantly and has not stopped since. Isabelle's response alone was fourteen messages and a voice note. Somewhere on this week's to-do list is figuring out how to get everyone in one place to celebrate properly.
But tonight, it's just dinner at Solstice, early evening, the estate quiet, the gravel damp underfoot. I glance at my ring again, vintage-inspired, a large oval diamond set low on a slim gold band, glittering every time my hand moves.
Cillian glances down at me, amused. "Sabrina and I did well, then?"
"I'd say you're both talented. I’m officially drafting her for allfuture high-stakes shopping," I laugh, and he breaks into a wide grin.
"Aye, well, she was a relentless taskmaster," he says, chuckling. “I’ll have you know she inspected every ring in the greater Bay Area, made me nervous in front of three separate jewelers, and ended up settling on the one thatI'doriginally picked. I'm fairly certain the whole performance was a sophisticated play for a birthday hint for herself."
"Oh, you should have known better than to bring a professional opportunist along." I tsk at him, shaking my head at the rookie error. "So much to learn. At this rate she's going to get that moped she's after, and you'll be the one explaining it to my mother."
He laughs, pinching my side, and I squeal, twisting away and then right back as he wraps his arm around my shoulders. Even now it sends a spark straight through me, this being his, him being mine, out loud, in front of the whole world.
We round the corner of the main building toward the terrace, and I frown. "God, where is everyone right now? It's like a ghost town out here."
"That is odd," he says, with a look that's a touch too innocent.
Also, I now register that the parking lot was suspiciously full for a quiet night, and that Carol waved me off shift with what I'd clocked at the time as unusual enthusiasm.
"Cillian O'Rourke. Are you up to something?"
He only grins, looking maddeningly unbothered. "Now, Ace. I had the impression you liked surprises."
"You know perfectly well I like planning surprises. Receiving them is entirely different."
Truthfully, he knows me so well by now that he's the one person I don't mind a surprise from, since his somehow always turn out exactly how I'd want them. But his ego doesn't need to hear that when he's already looking this smug.
"Come on," he says, laughing, his hand steady on my back as he ushers me toward the stone steps that lead up to the terrace.
Music reaches me first, then voices, and I climb the last few steps, come around the doors, and freeze, my heart vaulting into my throat.
The terrace is overflowing with every person I love, and the whole crowd erupts into cheers the second we clear the doorway. I spin to look up at Cillian, beaming, then back out at the sea of faces in front of me.
It's decorated exactly the way I like, elegant but homey: string lights and flickering candles, soft music, long tables laden with food, and flowers spilling out of every corner, all of it overlooking the autumn vineyard glowing in the low evening light.
Sabrina is front and center, jumping up and down, alongside Isabelle, Alex, and Celeste, and behind her my parents are beaming, Mom already dabbing at her eyes.
The entire Fright Club is here too, Dot and Miriam included. Diane, Carol, and Elaine are waving from the nearest table, and Cillian's whole family has made the trek from Ireland, Fiadh raising a glass of champagne toward me. Jonesy, Betts, Tom, and half the Renegades squad are cheering from the bar.
The celebration I was going to have to spend a week planning, and he'd already done it. Every detail handled, all exactly as I like it. If to be seen is to be loved, then I have never been so loved in all my life.
"Aye, I've had this in motion for a while now since I suspected you’d say yes. An engagement party, to celebrate properly." He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. "Everything's taken care of. All you have to do is enjoy it."
I barely get a smile out before I'm swallowed whole by Isabelle and Celeste, everyone talking at once.
"Congratulations!"
"We're so happy for you!"
"Oh my god, that rock!"
