Forever with Me (With Me in Seattle, #8)(32)

“I want to be happy too,” I choke out.

“So, just do that. Be happy. Fuck him senseless. Laugh with him. Let him teach you about wines and all that other fun shit, and don’t worry about the rest of it.”

“How did you get so smart?”

“I was in love with you for a long time, and you couldn’t love me back.” My heart stumbles to a stop as my eyes widen and my jaw drops. “I’m lucky just to have you in my life. I got over it, and now I think of you more like a sister, but don’t shut Dom out the way you did me. Not if you think it could work out between you.”

“Blake.”

“I mean it. Go back out there.”

“I’m going to go help Emily out tonight at the Haverland wedding.” I’m still stuck like stupid on I was in love with you for a long time. “Blake, I didn’t know.”

“You weren’t in a good place then, kiddo. You’re good now. I’m okay.”

“We’re okay?”

“We will be if you go back to the vineyard tonight. Emily doesn’t need your help. The Haverland wedding is tiny, and she has it handled.”

“It’s my business. I should be there.”

“It’s your business, and you’ve hired good people. You’re being stubborn again.”

“I love you too, you know.”

“I know. Go to the vineyard.”

“No.”

“I’ll give you a thousand bucks.”

“I don’t need it.” I giggle and flop down on my couch, feeling more relaxed than I have since this morning when I was in Dom’s arms. “You’re bossy.”

“Fine. Do what you want.” He sighs dramatically. “What do I care if Salvatore gets laid?”

“He already got laid today. He’s fine.”

“I don’t want to know this.”

I chuckle again and then take a deep, cleansing breath. “So, I overreacted.”

“Probably. What’s up with women? Why can’t y’all just f*ck like rabbits and then get on with your day? Why do you have to sketch out a three-year plan and talk it to death? Just enjoy the sex, for Christ sakes.”

“People should pay you for this advice,” I say dryly. “Speaking of sex, are you seeing anyone?”

“I’m seeing a few someones,” he replies with a smile in his voice. “I don’t have sex hang-ups.”

“You’re gross. Tell me you’re being careful.”

“I buy condoms by the case.”

“Ew.”

“You asked, sweetheart.”





Chapter Nine





Dominic





“Good morning, Mr. Salvatore.”

I glance up from my computer as Celeste walks briskly into my office. “Good morning.”

“I just saw Alecia,” she begins, and opens her iPad to go over notes with me, as is our usual morning routine. “She was just leaving.”

My heart stills. “Leaving?”

“She said she has some business that requires her attention, so she asked me to pass the message on to you.”

“Fine.” I nod, as the rest of me sighs in relief. Business. Yes, it’s just like my Alecia to run off at a moment’s notice if her business needs her. I love her work ethic, her passion for her job.

Yet, it’s interesting that while she loves the planning, she’s as cynical as they come when it comes to love.

I wonder if I can change her mind in that area.

I begin rattling off duties for Celeste to see to during the day. “Mick, the head of security, will be here tomorrow morning, and every day thereafter until the wedding.”

“Yes, I have that on the schedule,” Celeste replies with a nod. “Do you want me to have lunch brought in for your brothers today?”

“My brothers?” I ask with a raised brow.

“Yes, all of them are here.”

I blink at Celeste in confusion. “All of them?”

“Whether related by blood or marriage, they’re here. The backyard is a huge mass of testosterone. Can you bring them by more often?”

I laugh as I stand and shake my head at my assistant. “They’re all completely in love with their women, you know.”

“I don’t have to touch them to appreciate them. I’m sure their women would understand.”

“Would Clay understand?” I ask, referring to her husband of more than a dozen years.

“Clay doesn’t have to know.” She smiles and follows me out of my office. “So, lunch?”

“Yes, have sandwiches brought in from that café I like in Olympia. I’ll be in the backyard.”


“Lucky bastard,” I hear her mutter, and can’t help the smile that comes to my lips. I’m secure enough in my masculinity to admit that the Montgomery side of my family is a handsome one. I don’t see any of them as my eyes scan the reception area, but I can hear raised voices coming from the ceremony site in the vines.

“Why do you smell like me?” Isaac asks Matt, the second eldest brother, with a scowl.

“I had to use your body wash when I caught a shower at the office before we came here,” Matt replies calmly, with more than a little mirth in his trademark Montgomery blue eyes.