Page 87 of Just The Way You Aren't

Gabe lifts his shoulder. "Seemed appropriate."

"That's the Vanquish I've been trying to buy from you," I accuse. "You said it wasn't for sale."

"It's not. It's for charity."

"And I threw in that Picasso," Wyatt finishes. "The one from my foyer in the Hamptons."

"You hate that painting," I point out.

"Exactly. Two birds, one stone. Charity and redecorating. Win-win."

Willow looks between them all, her eyes dancing with delight and a mist of grateful tears. "I... I don't know what to say. This is incredible."

"We know Damien," Alec says, his analytical gaze moving between us. "And despite his many, many flaws?—"

I grunt. "Thanks, asshole."

"—he's usually right about what matters. If he thinks this cause is worthwhile..." He shrugs elegantly.

"Plus, tax deductions," Brad adds, because he's physically incapable of sentiment unless it concerns his daughter. "Mygrandmother needed care like this," he continues, ruining his own deflection. "I know how important it is."

"Thank you," Willow says softly. "All of you. This means everything."

She's glowing with happiness, and I should be thrilled that my friends have guaranteed her fundraiser's success. Instead, I'm noticing how Alec's studying her like she's cryptic code he wants to crack, how Finn's practically got cartoon hearts in his eyes, how even Gabe seems more engaged than usual.

"So, Willow," Alec says in that deceptively casual tone that usually precedes corporate bloodshed. "How exactly did you manage to extract our friend from his office? Hostage situation? Blackmail?"

"She asked nicely," I interject. "Novel concept for you, I know."

"Actually, he volunteered," Willow corrects, grinning. “Without Damien, tonight wouldn’t have been possible.”

"You would’ve made it work, I have no doubt,” I tell her, meaning it wholeheartedly. “You’re a miracle worker. Only Willow could’ve showed up at my office and fixed my PR nightmare with a single conversation."

“They just needed to see the real you,” she says, looking up at me as if the other men are no longer there. “They needed to see the man I know now.”

“Maybe I needed to see him too,” I admit.

"Never thought I'd see the day," Alec murmurs. "Damien Langley, actually having a life outside the office."

There's weight in his words that makes Willow glance at him. "Business isn't everything."

“Isn’t it?” Alec's green eyes study us with that analytical intensity I know too well. "I've always found staying focused on the goal to be more... efficient. Less complicated."

"There’s nothing wrong with complicated," she counters, gently but firmly. "The best things in life are usually a little messy."

"Profound," Gabe says quietly. "Also, a bit naive."

Before I can tell him where to shove his opinion, one of the fundraiser attendants materializes at Willow's elbow.

"Sorry to interrupt, Ms. Harper, but it's almost time for the speeches to begin."

"Oh! Right." Willow turns back to my friends. "I'm so sorry, I have to?—"

"Go," I tell her, cupping her face. "You'll be brilliant. You always are."

She smiles up at me. "Thank you."

She starts to take a step away from me, and before I can stop myself, I grasp her wrist and pull her against me for a brief kiss. "For luck," I tell her, grinning with so much pride it’s a wonder the buttons on my shirt don’t pop off. “Go knock it out of the park.”

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