“Oh my God, you did this?” I breathed into his chest as I squeezed him back.
He frowned. “You thought celebrating my baby girl’s engagement on FaceTime would be good enough for me? This guy didn’t even ask my permission first.”
“Jack, I asked the first time and you’ve given me your blessing no fewer than a dozen times since then.”
He released me and then clasped his hand with Bowen’s. “Not the same, Michaels. Not the same. But I forgive you. Just as long as you promise to always take care of her.”
“Nope.” I popped the P. “I’m the gardener at the moment. I do all the caretaking. Unless it involves laundry or coffee. But I do appreciate your concern.”
Dad blinked at me like I’d grown three heads.
“Best not to ask, Jack,” Bowen said.
“Right. Well, I’m going to grab a drink.” He waved a finger between us. “Paul and I split the open bar for this little shindig. Don’t let it go to waste.”
Bowen leaned into my side as my dad walked away. “Dear Lord, an open bar. This should be interesting.”
“Right. Did you see there’s a dance floor?” I waggled my eyebrows.
“I hate to disappoint, but Harley retired his dancing shoes, Raven.”
“Good. I’m done with swine orthodontists forever. I’m looking forward to spending my engagement party with my fiancé. Even if he does have two left feet.”
He laughed as he stared down at me. Love, happiness, and yeah, even a little heat was brewing in his eyes. Without a shadow of a doubt, the same mixture in my eyes was staring back at him.
We were swarmed by our families and friends.
Countless hugs were exchanged.
Toasts made to our future.
Entirely too much champagne consumed.
Bowen was beside himself to find out dinner was steak and potatoes with all the fixings. Though, with as much as we danced, he would probably still be hungry by the end of the evening.
As the night drew to a close, there was one person I still hadn’t had the chance to spend any time with. And it was a shame because she’d traveled over four hours to attend.
As the final notes of “It Had To Be You” played, I caught sight of her slipping through the door leading to the rooftop terrace.
“Hey,” I said to Bowen. “I’m going to talk to Jenna for a minute. Can you hold down the fort for a few?”
He squinted one eye. “Did Oscar leave already?”
“Yep.”
“Then say no more. I’ve got this.” He saluted me and then kissed my forehead.
It should be noted that Bowen had more than utilized the open bar. But what use was a surprise engagement party if you didn’t? We would definitely be catching a ride home.
In heels, I climbed the flight of stairs up to the rooftop. Cassidy had told me that it was gorgeous up there, so I’d been meaning to check it out all night. As I stepped outside, the wind whipped through my hair. It was chilly for a fall evening, and that high up, the air was biting. For a moment, I regretted not stealing Bowen’s coat, but the temperature was forgotten the moment I saw her sitting on the glass rail.
Feet dangling on the wrong side of the glass.
My pulse spiked, but I tried to remain calm. Jenna had always had a wild streak, but this was a bit much even for her. She must have been drunk.
“Jenna,” I called, confused yet cautious.
Her long brown hair, pulled back in a ponytail, blew in the wind as she looked at me over her shoulder and smiled weakly. “Hey, Remi.”
“What the hell are you doing up there? Get down,” I ordered, trying to keep the anxiety out of my tone.
My heart leapt as she kicked her legs forward only to pull them back like she was on a swing.
“It’s beautiful up here.”
I lunged forward with intentions of grabbing her wrist, but she saw me coming and pushed herself off instead. “No!” I cried, my heart in my throat.
Hands still on the rail, she turned, the tips of her black glitter Chucks catching the ledge on the other side. “It’s okay,” she said so calmly that it made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
Adrenaline caused angry tears to well in my eyes. “This is not fucking okay. Stop screwing around. Let me help you back over here. You’re scaring the shit out of me.”
Robotically, she tilted her head to one side. “Don’t cry. I can’t listen to it again.”
I had no idea what she meant by again, but until she was safe and not dangling on a ledge forty stories in the air, I didn’t care enough to clarify. “Please. Just give me your hand. It’s been a long night, Jenna. You just drank too much. Come back over here and we’ll go home right now. You can stay with us tonight. Trust me, nobody can mend a hangover like Bowen.”
