Page 111 of Just The Way You Aren't

"Who are you, and what have you done with Damien Langley?" she whispers, eyes twinkling.

"I believe you're responsible for that particular transformation." I brush a strand of hair from her face, momentarily forgetting our audience.

"Christ, you two. Get a room already," Alec complains loudly.

Laughter breaks the moment, and I turn back to face my friends, keeping my arm draped casually around Willow's chair.

"How's that empire of yours doing, Beckett?” I fire back. “Still sleeping with your spreadsheets?"

Alec leans in his chair, a picture of smug confidence. "Myempire is keeping me more than satisfied, thank you very much. Some of us don't need the distraction of relationship drama."

"Is that what I am?" Willow asks innocently. "A distraction?"

"The best kind," I murmur, earning an eye roll from Alec.

"My work is my best girl," he continues. "Reliable, rewarding, and doesn't ask me about my feelings."

Willow studies him thoughtfully. "You really think relationships are that bad?"

He shrugs. "I've spent years building Beckett Technologies from the ground up, into what it is today. Why would I risk that for something as unpredictable as..." He gestures vaguely between Willow and me.

"Love?" Finn supplies helpfully.

"Emotions," Alec says dismissively. "They complicate things."

"Emotions are everything. And life is better when you can share it with someone who truly cares about you," Willow counters with a smile that's both sweet and somehow challenging. "But I suspect you already know that, deep down."

Alec's eyes narrow slightly. "I know my priorities."

I grunt. "I thought I did too," I interject. "Until a beautiful woman with no respect for schedules or five-year plans bulldozed right through them. Straight into my heart."

"Don't worry about Alec," Finn tells Willow. "He'll understand once the right woman knocks him on his ass too."

"That'll be the day," he scoffs. "Well, your loss is my gain. Literally. With you and Mason out, the odds have improved for the rest of us."

"We'll see." I smirk at him from across the table. "But remember what they say about the best-laid plans."

"I don't make plans," Alec replies confidently. "I make strategies. Much more effective."

I laugh, remembering when I shared that same certainty. "Keep telling yourself that, Beckett."

We finish our drinks and get up to leave my friends to resume their game. As Willow says her goodbyes, accepting hugs from Finn and Wyatt, handshakes from Gabe and Brad, and a respectful nod from Alec, I can't help but reflect on how much has changed in such a short time. Just a few weeks ago, I was sitting at this same table, confident in my invulnerability to precisely this situation.

Now I’m looking forward to a future with the woman who’s made my life infinitely better. Made me better too.

"Ready to go?" Willow asks, appearing at my side and slipping her hand into mine.

"Almost." I turn to address my friends. "Gentlemen, it's been a pleasure losing to you tonight. Now, I’d like to take Willow home and revel in my so-called losses."

"We'll drink to your memory," Brad promises solemnly.

Finn grins. "And when the time comes for me to claim the title of Last Billionaire Standing, I promise to spend your million wisely."

"By 'wisely' he means 'on something ridiculously fast or life-endangering that’ll make him eventually regret his life choices,'" Gabe clarifies.

"As is tradition," Wyatt agrees, raising his glass. "To Damien and Willow."

"To Damien and Willow," the others echo.

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