I do as he says, lifting my hair up so he can clasp it on. The pendant lands on my chest just above the swell of my breasts.
“It’s a love knot,” he explains. “It’s made up of two strings that are tied together to form one knot. Each string represents us. When we first started this, we agreed to no strings, but now everything is different, and those strings have come together to form a knot. Alone, they’re fragile and easy to break, but together...” He locks eyes with me, and my heart thunders in my chest. “Together, they’re strong and can withstand anything.”
“Ben, this is so beautiful,” I choke out. I’ve never been given a gift with so much thought and meaning put into it before. “Thank you.” I entwine my fingers around his neck and connect my mouth to his, wishing we were alone so I could show him just how much this gift means to me.
The ride to Lush is filled with casual conversation. While we met Sariah at Brody’s birthday dinner, she was quiet for much of the time around so many people. Tonight, though, she’s chatting away, and I can see why Brody likes her. She’s cute and bubbly and funny, and the way she talks about and looks at Brody is so sweet.
When we arrive at the restaurant, it’s busy with everyone arriving for dinner and the Valentine’s Day party. Outside, there’s a black carpet where a photographer is taking professional photos of the couples, and since it’s a high-traffic area for celebrities, several paparazzi are camped out, watching for anyone they can get their eyes on. The four of us get our picture taken together and then separately as couples. Ben is given a QR code where we can view and purchase the images once they’re uploaded.
We arrive at the hostess stand, and she greets us, recognizing Ben. She immediately walks us back to our table in a quiet area of the restaurant. There are red, pink, and black balloons in the corner, and a small vase of roses and candles decorate the table. I glance around and notice the other tables don’t have all this, which means Ben had this done in advance. It’s crazy that he’s spent the past several years not in a relationship because he’s naturally good at it. He pays attention to the details, which is probably why his business ventures are so successful. He’s put all his energy into that instead of his relationships.
“This is beautiful,” I murmur, kissing his cheek. “You really set the bar high.”
He chuckles—no doubt remembering when I told Brody not too long ago that the first date sets the tone for the entire relationship—and takes my hand in his, threading our fingers together.
Dinner is fun, and the food is delicious. Brody and Sariah are adorable together, and when Ben tells them that we have to run upstairs for a few minutes to make an appearance before we take off to the movies, Brody asks Sariah if she’ll dance with him, not caring that nobody else in the restaurant is dancing.
We take the elevator to the second floor, and then Ben guides us through the club. The area is filled with large heart-shaped balloons, and the band is playing a slow, seductive number that couples are on the dance floor swaying to.
As we make our way through the crowd, several people stop Ben to say hello. He also makes it a point to seek out a few people, introducing me as his girlfriend and asking them if they’re having a good time. It’s the second time I’ve seen him in business mode since we’ve met, and a lot like the day in his office, he’s attentive to each person he speaks with while also being unemotional and detached. He’s completely different than the Ben I’ve grown to know, and I know this is the man who’s spent the past fifteen years building up his successful business.
When we finally arrive at a roped-off area housing a group of about fifteen people, I notice they’re everyone we know. Lucas and Laura are slow dancing in the corner. Amalia and her husband are sitting at a table, holding hands and talking. My eyes land on Scott, who thankfully seems to be on a date since he has a woman sitting sideways on his lap. He texted me once after our date, and not wanting to lead him on, I told him there wasn’t a connection. I told the same thing to Toby Jennings when he texted me—after Ben and I made the decision to date—and asked me to dinner.
I find Brianne standing and talking to a girlfriend of hers I’ve met once while Marcus has his arms wrapped around her from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder. We lock eyes, and she leaves the person she’s talking to, to come over and hug me.
“What happened to your double date?”
“They’re downstairs dancing while we make a pit stop. Ben wanted to come up before we head to the movies.”
“Hey,” Amalia says, giving her brother a one-arm hug because he’s holding my hand and not letting go. “The event is running smoothly. I’ve already checked in with the other locations, and everything is going well.”
“Of course it is,” he remarks. “You’re running it. I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
His sister lovingly rolls her eyes before her features turn serious. “Have you heard from Dad? Gerald and I have some news, and I wanted to tell you both at the same time, but he hasn’t returned any of my messages.”
Ben frowns. “He’s probably busy with the quarterly reports due soon.” But as he speaks, I can see it in his features that he’s worried.
“Yeah, maybe,” she says, not sounding like she agrees. “But, um… he hasn’t been in his office all week.”
“What do you mean?” Ben’s back goes ramrod straight.
“I stopped by, and his secretary said he hasn’t been in all week.”
“That can’t be right…” He pulls his phone out and hits a few buttons, then puts it to his ear. A few seconds later, he hits end and pockets it. “He’s probably out with some woman. It’s Valentine’s Day. I’ll give him a call tomorrow and get it sorted out. What was it you wanted to tell us? Is everything okay?”
Amalia’s lips curve into a huge grin, and Gerald wraps his arm around her. “Everything is perfect. Gerald and I found out we’re expecting a baby!”
“Holy shit,” Ben says, letting go of my hand and pulling his sister into a hug. “Congratulations!”
“Thank you. The timing probably isn’t the best with the restaurant and—”
“What? Stop. We’ll handle it. Family first. This is awesome news.”
Amalia’s eyes go wide as though she’s shocked he’s said that. While Ben shakes Gerald’s hand and congratulates him, Amalia steps closer to me and wraps me in a hug. “Thank you,” she murmurs. “Thank you for giving my brother back to me.” When she pulls away, her eyes are glassy, but she’s smiling brightly.
She turns back to her brother, and he asks her how far along she is, but I don’t hear her response because Brianne tugs me gently to the side, giving me a knowing look. “Are you okay?”
“Of course I’m okay. I’m not so unstable I lose it every time someone announces they’re pregnant.”
“I know, but it’s okay for it to hurt. I just don’t want to see you bottling it up.”
I give her a hug, loving that she cares enough to make sure I’m okay. “I promise you, I’m okay. I’m focusing on what I do have these days and not on what I may never have… Like an amazing job and a best friend like you…and Ben…”