Page 5 of Bid For Me

“Gee, such a gentleman,” I quip, before leaning in to whisper to Candy, “I feel like chopped liver next to you with the way he adores you.”

Dash chuckles, then guides us up the gold carpet – which is a nice touch. There’s a flurry of flashing paparazzi lights and a cacophony of shouts as the gathered press try to discern our identities. The whole thing is amazing, the atmosphere is electric, and I can’t help pausing to pose for the cameras to make the most of my moment in the spotlight.

Too soon, we’re stepping through black double doors and Dash is leading us across a gorgeous marble entrance to a waiting elevator, which speeds down to a basement garage, where there’s a whole fleet of limos waiting for the guests to whisk them off to the club’s real location.

“Your carriage awaits,” Dash tells me, bowing low and opening the door for me. I giggle as I climb in, unused to being treated with such chivalry. I scoot over for Candy to join me and frown when Dash stops Candy with his hand on her wrist.

“She’ll see you there,” he tells me with a wink. “She’s got a different ride tonight.”

I cheer and whoop, suspecting that Dash has a little naughty limo nookie planned for my bestie, and even though I can’t see her face because of the mask, I’m fairly sure she’s blushing. I nod, close the door, and am driven away in the lap of luxury, leaving Candy with Dash to wonder what’s going on.

I know that Candy and the guys planned every aspect of tonight out, down to the finest detail. Hernotjoining me in the car wasn’t part of the plan, so I know that she’ll have a juicy surprise in store.

I smile to myself, knowing that it’ll just be the first of many surprises tonight.

It doesn’t take long to get to the club and gloved attendants open the doors for me, as I walk to yet another gorgeous building. This one’s the real deal though.

As I stand off to the side, Candy practically glowing in the centre of the small crowd that’s gathered, I can’t help but smile. She deserves all of this – the joy, the love, the adoration, the damn fairytale. The whole scene around us – the opening night crowd, the swanky new club, the flutes of non-alcoholic champagne – feels like a dream.

Candy’s surrounded by her five guys, each one a different layer to her happiness, and I can see in her eyes how much this night means to her. It’s hard to believe she went from being this heartbroken, guarded girl, to the woman standing here now, full of life, love, and confidence.

I know she’s put so much into the club – it has been her passion project, and it’s already clear it’s a success. But I also know these guys have given her something just as important.

I take a sip of my champagne, half-listening to her laugh and thanking people while she makes her way toward me. But then she stops, blinking in confusion as her five men kneel down before her.

My breath catches.

This can’t be what I think it is…can it?

Wint starts first, his voice low and sweet as he talks about how long he’s loved her. I know her so well, and even from where I’m standing, I can see her struggle to hold back her emotions. Each guy adds his own words – Dash with his steady devotion,Don with his raw vulnerability, Frost with his fierce passion, North with his intensity. They’re proposing to her. All five of them, here in front of everyone.

“So, what’s it going to be?” Frost asks, his face and voice filled with hope. “Will you be our wife?”

She finally releases her breath and cries, “Yes!”

“Yes?” Dash says, his voice brimming with laughter.

I want to cheer for her, but I’m too stunned, and honestly, my heart feels tight just seeing her so overwhelmed with joy. I watch Candy, tears in her eyes, nodding, murmuring yes to each of them, her hand pressed to her mouth as if she still can’t quite believe it’s happening.

“Say it, baby,” Wint prompts. “I need to hear it.”

“Yes! I’m yours, and I always will be. Oh god, I can’t believe this is happening.”

“You’re surprised?” Frost asks, his tone teasing. “What did you think was going to happen when we said you were ours forever?”

I swallow the lump in my throat, my eyes are full of tears as I take in the guys kneeling before my best friend. She’s so happy and she absolutely deserves it.

“Sorry for the tears, baby,” Dash says, as he gets up and gently cups her cheeks and dries her eyes with his thumbs. The tenderness makes a lump form in my throat. “We want you to be happy.”

“I am happy.”

“Say it,” North opens his arms, inviting her to fall into them. “Say the words.”

“I’m yours. And I will always be yours.”

“Forever?” Don prompts.

“Forever,” she confirms. My heart feels ready to burst for her.