Page 46 of False Start

"It's me!" Noah shouts from the stairs, coming down to loop his arms around Camila and Henry's shoulders. "She's joining the Legal division at Luxe Partners!"

"Now you can stop bugging me for help when some high-maintenance actor wants to add 'mandatory red Skittles' to their rider!" Henry shouts back.

Noah raises an eyebrow at the subtle dig but still clinks his beer against Henry's glass, spilling some of the sticky liquid onto the floor. Henry chuckles in response, and I almost choke on my cake ball.

Even though they're twins, it's always been easy for people to tell Noah and Henry apart. Noah's the slick Hollywood type, down for a laugh or a round of drinks, while Henry's more the…in-bed-by-9pm,can't-start-a-board-game-until-we've-read-all-the-rulestype. I'm surprised he didn't come as Captain America.

Right now, though, a few drinks past tipsy and pushing the limits of respectful PDA at a family function, they look practically identical. I can tell the change in him has more to do with the woman on his arm than the drink in his glass.

Henry hugs Camila even tighter against him.

"And while we're still in a celebratory mood," he begins, loud enough for the entire party to hear.

Once the chatter dies down, he retrieves a light blue box from his suit pocket and sinks down onto one knee. Several women gasp, including Mom, Maya, and, of course, Camila. Henry takes her hands in his.

"Camila. I know it took me a criminally long time to see what was right in front of me." His voice is thick with emotion, and happy tears shine in Camila's eyes.

"I noticed you the first day you showed up to cover my desk, but I was too caught up in making a name for myself at BBS&P and my stupid rules to make a move. It took almost losing you to realize that you were always worth more than any of that bullshit." He cracks a rueful grin.

"Sorry, Mom."

Laughter spreads through the crowd, and Henry takes that moment to open the ring box, revealing a beautiful pear-shaped engagement ring.

"So, Camila Cadilla Sanchez, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?"

She nods tearfully, unable to speak, and Henry pushes the massive rock onto her finger. This time, the cheers are nearly deafening. Noah is roughly shaking Henry by the shoulders, while Adam gives him a fist bump. Damon reaches over several people to pat Henry on the back.

I'm too far away to get to him, but I catch his eye and raise my drink. The roar of the guests surrounds me and I smile to myself. I'm happy for my brother. Adam, too. After a lifetime spent playing the field, they both found someone to spend the rest of their lives with.

A little over a year ago, I'd be pulling Henry aside, trying to talk some sense into him, but now? Now, I find myself sneaking a look at Denise to see her reaction to the proposal. Is she excited? Is she jealous? Does she look terrified?

But after a moment scanning the crowd, I don't see her. Did she leave? Maybe she just went to the patio for some air, like I was about to.

As I carefully maneuver through the throng, I pass Mom. Dad's arm is wrapped around her and she's close to bawling.

"Anotherproposal at my Halloween party?!" she cries. "Boys," she looks around to address us, "if you make this a yearly thing, I may just die of happiness!"

Dad squeezes her tighter as she breaks down again. I don't miss the uncomfortable looks on Damon and Noah's faces.

I step onto the patio and close the door behind me. The noise drops to a dull roar. I turn towards the distinct skunk smell and spot Denise in the far corner of the yard, smoking. Moonlight casts her skin in an eerie glow; with her silver braids, she looks like a woodland nymph or a fairy. As irresistible as she is, she might be a succubus.

"Mind if I get a drag?" I ask, making my way over to her. She offers the joint in reply.

The pungent smoke fills my lungs and I hold it briefly before blowing upward and away from Mom's sensitive nose. I haven't gotten caught smoking weed in the backyard since high school, and I don't intend to start now.

"So, did you see? Henry just proposed to his girlfriend, Camila."

Denise's lips thin and she nods.

"I saw."

She doesn't elaborate, and a knot forms in the pit of my stomach.Shit.I guess she doesn't know the woman, but plenty of complete strangers justoohed and aahedafter witnessing the proposal. Camila's about to become Denise's best friend'ssister. What does it mean that her first reaction was to leave the party to get high?

"Are you not a fan of weddings or something?" I ask with a smile, though the space between my shoulders feels like a rubber band about to snap.

I hand back the joint, and she takes a long pull before answering.

"They're OK, I guess." She exhales, blowing the smoke upward just as I did.

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