“This really is beautiful,” Mom says, looking around when we reach the top of the stairs and are led to a large round table. Just like before, the space is empty except for us, and I wonder if anyone ever really eats up here.
“Good evening. My name is Simon, and I will be your server this evening,” Simon says, coming forward grinning at Gareth the moment we’re seated. I barely cover the giggle that escapes with my napkin. When he walks away after taking our drink orders, Gareth places his hand on my thigh and squeezes, and I look at him.
“Any regrets now?” I ask just loud enough for him to hear.
His eyes stay locked on mine, and I watch a million emotions filter through his gaze before he captures my hand in his and brings it to his lips. “Not even one.”
I hear my dad make a sound and my mom pull in a sharp breath, and when I look at the boys, I notice they look content, happy, and relaxed. It’s right then I know I found the impossible, a real life happily ever after, and I promise myself that I will do everything within my power to take care of it.
Fifteen
Gareth
I STEP INTO the bar December asked me to pick her up from and scan the packed space, spotting Sage standing at the bar. I head his way, and the moment he sees me, he grins. “What’s up, man? You here to pick up December?” he asks, patting my shoulder.
“Yeah.” I do another scan, not seeing her from where I’m standing.
“Back left corner.” He lifts his chin, and I finally see her sitting at a high-top table, laughing along with her sister April. “Do you know my brothers Bax and Talon?”
I force my eyes off December and turn to face both men, noticing they look just like their dad, Nico. It’s something I probably should have realized about Talon when I saw December out at dinner with him, Sage, and Kim if I hadn’t been dealing with the jealousy I was feeling at the time.
“What’s up?” I shake both men’s hands, and then a moment later, Wes, Harlen, and Evan walk in, joining us at the bar, soon followed by Jax and Cobi as well.
“So who’s going to put a stop to that?” Wes asks, lifting his chin toward the table where the girls are seated, and I note a group of men have moved in. One of them is standing way too fucking close to December, smiling down at her like she’s as cute as she fucking is.
I push away from the group and hear Evan mumble behind me, “Swear to Christ, I could put a rock on June’s finger big enough to be seen from Mars, and some dick would still think it’s okay to get up in her space.”
Fuck, December doesn’t even have a ring on her finger to let men who might hit on her know she belongs to someone, and that’s something I’m going to have to change… and fast. As soon as I reach the table, I glare at the guy who is still smiling like an idiot then lean down to kiss December’s cheek. “Hey, baby.” She turns to look at me and her eyes light up. Fuck, she’s beautiful.
“You’re here.” She stands, swaying slightly in the heels she has on, so I reach out to steady her with my hand on her waist. “I was just telling this nice guy—” She points at the guy, who is now looking at me with wide eyes. “—that my boyfriend would be here soon, and then poof! Here you are.”
“Here I am,” I confirm.
“You should know—” She rests her hands against my stomach. “—I’m a little drunk.” She lifts one hand between us and holds her fingers an inch apart.
“I can see that.” I smile, touching my fingers to her cheeks that are tinged with pink from the alcohol she’s drunk.
“You should also know—” She lifts up on her tiptoes so our faces are close. “—I’ve never had drunk sex before.”
Jesus, my hold on her automatically tightens, and I look around the table at the girls, along with Wes, Harlen, Jax, Cobi, Sage, and his brothers. “We’re out of here,” I announce, listening to her giggle as I lift her off her feet, and laughter erupts behind us as I carry her away from the table and out of the bar.
When we reach my SUV, I open the passenger side door and place her inside then run around the hood. “Can we stop by McDonald’s?” she asks, putting on her seat belt as I get in behind the wheel.
I turn to look at her. “Pardon?”
“Can we stop at McDonald’s? I really want a hamburger.”
“Babe, you just told me you’ve never had drunk sex. I’m not taking you to McDonald’s. I’m taking you home and fucking you.”