Page 119 of Lumi
“Yes, it’s true.” I flashed my teeth in a smile.
Charles was the first to get up and hug us. “That’s fantastic! Lumi couldn’t have picked a better man. I’m so happy for you two. Let me get another bottle of champagne.”
While Charles went to fetch more champagne, the questions rained down on us.
“I don’t know what to say. It just feels right,” Damian told the others and gave me a smile across the room.
“So, no Chicago for you this time, then?” Atlas concluded and gave me a warm hug.
“No, I’ll stay right here with Damian.”
“Are you still donating your seven thousand to Maximum's work with Indian street kids?” Liv asked me.
“Yes, I am.”
“Me too.”
I turned my head to Damian. “You are?”
He gave a single nod. “It was never about money to me. And besides, this experiment gave me something that money can’t buy anyway.”
My heart melted as Damian dipped his head and planted a tender kiss on my lips.
“What did I miss?” Charles asked when he returned with more champagne. Liv filled Charles in, while he refilled our glasses.
“I’m good,” I said and held my hand on top of the flute when he offered me more.
On Monday, Damian had bought me prenatal vitamins, and every time I’d taken a pill these past five days, there had been a soft smile on his face.
“Here.” Smiling at Damian, I gave him my glass and whispered, “You better take this, just in case.”
His eyes fell to my stomach. “Ye sure?”
“I don’t like champagne that much anyway. I’m getting some of Liv’s homemade lemonade.”
There was a warm expression in Damian’s eyes as he stroked my shoulder and whispered in my ear. “Ye have no idea how much I love and respect ye.”
“Ditto,” I whispered back and pinched his behind. When I moved to the kitchen, River came over and spoke in a hushed voice. “Lumi, promise that you’ll be smart about this. If you ever decide to marry Damian, make sure you have a prenup.”
I twitched my nose and pressed my lips together.
“I mean it. I love Damian, but he doesn’t have much money, and I couldn’t bear to see you lose half of yours if it doesn’t work.”
“Damian is the most loyal person I know. I trust him one hundred percent, and don’t forget I wouldn’t be a millionaire if he hadn’t saved my life.”
River sucked in a deep breath and looked down. “You’ve never taken advice from me before, so I’m not sure why I thought you would now, but I’m trying to watch out for you.”
Placing my hand on her elbow, I softened my tone. “I know you mean well. You’ve never been in a relationship that lasted, and neither have I, but Damian is different. I’ve loved him since I was seventeen, and we’re serious about making it work.”
River looked perfect as always with her fashionable outfit, hair extensions, flawless make-up, and long manicured nails. Removing a long blond hair from her shoulder, I smiled at her. “It’s going to be fine. Don’t worry about me.”
She caressed my cheek. “I’ll try not to.”
Instead of walking back to Damian, I took Atlas by the elbow and moved him to the side. “When are you and Jolene sharing the news about your proposal?”
He glanced over my head to the others as he spoke in a hushed voice. “I was going to tell them before we go back to the States, but now I wonder if it’ll be more fun to just send you all invitations to the wedding.”
“No! You have to tell everyone in person.”
