“Thank you for stopping by.” I stood and shook his hand and Mason did the same before showing him to the door.
Kim and Luna giggled over the photos and whispered like school girls.
“Pass those over and stop sharing secrets.” I took the stack and flipped through them as Luna leaned onto my shoulder to see.
Kim stood up and locked arms with Joe. “When are you going to take me to Las Vegas?”
Luna and I glanced behind us to the big guy. His face was red, but his expression was far from revulsion. “Why? You feeling lucky?” He put his arm around her and pulled her closer.
“I see a double date in your future,” said Mason, who took his phone from the table and tucked it into his pocket. “I also see a drink in mine. I’ll see my way out.”
“Wait a minute, I asked you here for a reason.” He stopped and turned to lean against the chair.
“Luna’s dad has given us his blessing, but he had one condition: we have to have another ceremony.”
Luna sighed, glancing down at the photographs. “While I adored my drunken, whimsical Vegas wedding, I had to agree with my father. I’d always wanted him to do the ceremony, and I’d really prefer things feel more official.”
“I agree, as well. I hated that our family and friends couldn’t be there. So, we wanted to talk to you all and extend our invitation and make a few requests.”
“Kim, I’d like you be my maid of honor, of course, and Joe, since my father is performing the ceremony – and you’ll most likely be delegated to our safety that day – I’d like you to walk me down the aisle.”
I turned to Mason, who looked bored, and I imagined he’d prefer to be anywhere else. “I’d like you to be my best man.”
His eyes lit with surprise as he flashed a wicked smile. “Does this mean I get to throw you a bachelor party?” He glanced to Luna, who looked at me and shrugged.
“I’m already married,” I said. His face fell into a grimace.
Luna nudged me. “Of course, you can have a bachelor party. I know you’ll behave yourself.”
“Perfect! When’s the date? I want to book the best suite in Vegas. It’s perfect: gambling, booze, and strippers!” He clapped his hands together and laughed wickedly.
I turned to Luna. “You realize we’ve created a monster?”
As laughter belted around us, the warmth of life bloomed in her cheeks.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Luna
Hours after our friends had left, I’d spent another two on the phone with my father and Kim, who both wanted to talk about the wedding. Kim had also shared some other news, and I couldn’t wait to tell Gabriel.
There was also a little talk about my bachelorette party, but I had yet to break that news to Gabriel, as well. I wasn’t sure I wanted one, considering the wild time I’d had in Vegas on my wedding night, but I didn’t think I’d be able to convince Kim of anything else. And then there was my protective husband, who might be fine and good with his bachelor party experience, but unsure how safe I’d be in the city alone.
In the hospital, he’d told me he wasn’t letting me out of his sight, and I realized real fast how serious he was. He hadn’t let me get out of his sight unattended and had doted on me like a worried mother.
The penthouse was lovely, but it had one drawback: the office that extended from the front room. He’d been in it the entire time I was on the phone, which was fine, but I worried I might not get him out of it if he got too cozy.
“Were you serious when you said I’d have a say in the floorplans of the new house?” Gabriel had decided instead of buying a home, we’d build one to our specifications.
He glanced up and smiled. “Already making plans?”
I looked around the gorgeous office space, which was wrapped in a rich, dark mahogany, and crinkled my nose. “I’ve been thinking.”
He sat back in his chair giving me his full attention. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”
I walked around the desk, and he pushed back his chair and in one quick motion pulled me across his lap. I put my arm around him and locked my hands as he shifted and settled.
“I was thinking how I don’t want an office in our new home.” I grinned and bit my lip as he closed his eyes.