Page 69 of Big Daddy Christmas
“It’s for Ruby. I was going to ask her to marry me on Christmas morning.”
Everything about Braden seemed to light up with what could only be described as pure joy. “Are you fucking kidding me? And you didn’t tell me, you sneaky sonofabitch.”
Before he could defend himself, he was pulled into a tight embrace. And when Braden spoke again, his voice was thick with tears. “I couldn’t ask for anyone better for our Ruby. Maybe now she’ll let you pay for her goddamn membership and she can quit bartending.”
His own tears burned in his eyes, and Beckett gave himself a moment to return the embrace as he swallowed them back. “Thanks, man. And I’ll try, but we both know how fucking stubborn she is.”
Pulling away, Braden grinned and handed the ring over. “I could fire her if that would make your life easier.”
“You try and she’ll just make both our lives a living hell.” Beckett shrugged. “Even if I do pay for her membership, I’ll probably have to let her work a night or two at the club. She really seems to love it, for reasons that continue to escape me.”
“Well, we love having her, so as long as she’s not running herself into the ground, she’s more than welcome to stay on as long as she likes.” Slinging an arm around Beckett’s shoulder, Braden turned toward the rest of the men in the room, all of whom were watching him with various degrees of curiosity. “Guess what? Club BDE’s resident playboy is getting married!”
A cheer went up around the room, and the next thing he knew, he was being passed from man to man for a round of back-slapping hugs and congratulations. Ice, who’d come with him to pick out the ring, held on the longest and tightest.
“So fucking happy for you, man.”
“Thanks. I’m pretty fucking happy for me, too. Just gotta figure out a new way to surprise her since she already found the ring.”
“Maybe we can help.” Braden’s voice all but vibrated with excitement. “A wedding and a proposal. Seriously. It’s perfect.”
Despite the thrill that shot through him at Braden’s suggestion, Beckett shook his head. “I can’t ask you to do that. Today is about you and Lottie.”
“Please, you know how Lottie is. She’ll be thrilled to share today with you and Ruby.” Without waiting for Beckett to agree, Braden turned, jabbing a finger at Jacob, whose eyes went wide with what could only be described as panic. “Time to take one for the team, Jacob. I need you to pop on over to the bridal suite and get Lottie for me.”
“Oh, I’m not sure I should…”
“C’mon.” Holden slapped a hand on Jacob’s shoulder and grinned. “Delia did say you could pop over if you needed them for something. And it’s for a good cause. Plus, once your women realize you risked their wrath to set up something this fucking romantic, they’ll be putty in your hands the rest of the night.”
“You really think so?”
Beckett couldn’t help the pricks of guilt at the hopefulness in Jacob’s tone. “Look, if they aren’t completely bowled over by your part in all this, I’ll take you to DC and let you explore the natural history museum until you’re so sick of dinosaurs you can’t see straight.”
Jacob’s face lit up, as it always did when dinosaurs were mentioned. “It’s a deal. I’ll be right back.”
Chapter 7
Ruby
God, it was torture, trying to keep her excitement bottled up while her stylist tugged and curled and sprayed her hair into the loose curls Lottie had requested. But today was Lottie’s day, and she absolutely would not take even an ounce of attention from the bride.
Even if it killed her.
She was suffering through, dreaming of her own wedding day, of how freaking hot Beckett would look waiting at the end of the aisle in one of those tuxes that made him look even richer and sexier than he did on a regular basis, when the door to the bridal suite eased open and Jacob poked his head in.
“Can I crash the party for a minute?”
From where she’d planted herself on the couch after her own hair and makeup had been completed, Cordelia raised a brow. And even though the look wasn’t aimed at her, Ruby’s stomach clenched with unease. “Depends on if you have a good reason, baby boy.”
“Ah… Is ‘Braden sent me and I couldn’t tell the groom no’ a good enough reason?”
Luckily for Jacob, a sly grin stretched across his Daddy’s face. “Good enough. For now. Come on in, baby.”
Looking as relieved as Ruby felt, Jacob straightened and stepped further into the room. “He sent me to come get Lottie. He needs to talk to her.”
“Me?” Lottie frowned, the move earning her a scolding ‘tsk’ from her makeup artists. “Why does he need to talk to me?”
“Um, I can’t really tell you that.”
