Page 129 of I Could Be Yours

I smile as I discreetly pat the inside pocket of my suit jacket. Essie’s engagement ring is currently nestled against my heart. We’re still in the early days yet, but she’s it for me, and I want to be ready when the time is right. Which will probably be sooner than later.

All our friends are either getting engaged, planning weddings, or having babies. I want it all with Essie—the celebrations, walking down the aisle with her, a family. Essie’s heart is the most beautiful thing about her, and together, with the support of our families and friends, we’ll have a lifetime full of love.

We’re looking at getting an apartment together in Flip’s building so we’re not tripping over each other. It’s a two-bedroom, with a walk-in closet that will fit all her clothes. Plus, there’s a second, small bedroom that we can turn into an office.

We pile into the back of Rix’s SUV with Flip, who looks put together, but not all that enthused. “Let’s get this over with,” he grumbles.

“Where’s your gift?” Rix asks.

He pats his breast pocket. “In here.”

Rix narrows her eyes at him. “What is it?”

“A gift certificate for an excellent divorce attorney.”

Tristan frowns. “Please tell me you’re not serious.”

“He specializes in getting around prenups.” Flip looks terribly serious.

Rix shoots him a look. “Don’t be a dick!”

“I’m kidding. Mostly.” Flip rolls his eyes. “I got them a one-night stay at a winery in Niagara. Dred is obsessed with the place, and they have this suite with a library.”

“Oh.” Rix’s eyebrows rise. “That was nice of you.”

“I might not like Grace, and I might not like that he’s engaged to one of my best friends, but I care about Dred, and I want her to be happy. If this dickbag makes her happy, I’ll support her.”

“Can you avoid referring to him as a dickbag for the rest of the day?” Essie asks.

“I guess. Yeah.”

“I’m kind of excited to see his parents’ house,” Rix says.

They have a home in one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Toronto. Apparently, they also have homes in several states, as well as a summer home in Bala. It’s no secret Connor comes from a very wealthy family. It’s also no secret that he’s not the biggest fan of his family, and that his family aren’t the biggest fans of him—other than his grandmother.

“I’m fascinated to meet his family,” Essie says. “The guy comes from old money, yet he’s covered in tattoos and plays professional hockey. He’s such a contradiction.”

“He better not fuck Dred over,” Flip mutters.

Essie and I have done our fair share of brainstorming about the whole thing. We know Connor isn’t all bad, but Flip hasn’t seen that side of him. And I’m not about to spill his secrets, considering the way he saved me and my brothers from what would have been a nightmare situation at Tristan’s wedding.

We arrive at the house at the same time as some of Tristan and Flip’s teammates. Lavender and Kodiak flew in from New York to be here, and Quinn Romero, the newest addition to the Terror and their long-time family friend, is with them.

Essie’s sister, Cammie, and her boyfriend, Chase, as well as her best friends, Fee and Tally, approach us. Flip does a double take as Tally rushes up and gives him a quick hug before moving on to Rix. Her long, blonde hair is pinned at the sides, revealing a ladder of hoops in her right ear. Her dress is deep blue, with a slit that reveals her dancer’s legs. The girls form a circle and comment on how much they love each other’s dresses.

Flip rubs the back of his neck. “I bet my sister helped Tally pick that dress.”

“If she was looking to get noticed, it’s working,” I murmur.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

I pat him on the shoulder. “You’ll figure it out eventually.”

Dallas inserts himself between us. “This is going to be one hell of an engagement party.”

I laugh as I take in his suit. As usual, he’s wearing plaid, but his tie has a sexy-peach pattern on it. “You put theassin classy, Bright.”

“I know.” He winks. “Let’s do this.”

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