Jensen calls my name and motions for me to follow him. We head to the back where the dressing rooms and mirrors are set up. Tucker and Nate go first, leaving Jensen, EJ, and I to whistle and catcall when they come out.
“You boys be fancy,” I say when they step out of the rooms. Tucker flips me off and Nate tells me to pound sand. Another clerk joins us and the two of them poke, prod, and pull every which way they can. I chuckle when Nate almost falls over.
“Just wait until it’s your turn,” he says, eyeing me. I salute him.
When they’re done, they change, and the clerks take their tuxes to the counter. EJ goes into the dressing room with me. The last thing I want is for him to have a meltdown because he can’t figure things out. I could have asked Nate to help him, but no. I want this to be an experience we share together. Once I’m dressed, I help EJ tuck his shirt in, and show him a trick by tucking it into his underwear and pulling the flaps down. He thinks it’s hilarious that his shirt is in his underwear, but whatever. It’ll stay tucked in longer this way.
We come out and sure enough, Nate is leading the catcalling. I tell EJ to bow and he does. I take my son to stand in front of the mirror. I want to get a good look at him. He’s growing fast and about to enter the second grade. His mop top hair is a combination of Ryley’s red and my deep brown, and the lucky guy even has curls. The girls are going to go crazy for the curls.
“What do you think?” I ask him while we stand there in our linen suits. The color is a light tan or khaki, I’m not sure what the actual name is. Our dress shirts are white, and thankfully I don’t have to wear a tie or bowtie, neither do the guys.
“We look nice,” EJ says. “Do you think Grace will like it?”
Grace, Carter and Lois’s daughter, who is the same age as EJ is over the moon happy that he’s back. She’s a little upset though because we moved to Coronado instead of San Diego and they won’t be in the same class together, but the playdates are scheduled. EJ informed us that he plans to dance with Grace at the reception. I don’t know if Ryley and I should be scared or what. I’m not ready for my son to have a crush. I feel like I’m still getting to know him.
“I think she will say you’re handsome.”
“What color is she wearing?”
I shake my head. “I’m not sure, bud. You’ll have to ask your mom.”
EJ and I stand there for another long minute, just staring at each other through the mirror. “Are you ready to be my best man?”
He nods. “I even wrote a speech.”
I turn his shoulders so I can look into his eyes. “You did?”
“Yep. Papa told me that as the best man I have to give a speech, so I wrote one.”
“I can’t wait to hear it, son.” Please call me dad.
EJ smiles, showing me that he’s missing his bottom two teeth. I never thought I’d find joy in being the tooth fairy, but damn, it’s been fun sneaking into his room to hide money under his pillow.
After we settle up with the clerk, we head back to the car and lay each suit bag in the trunk. My phone chimes and I step to the side to read the message from Ryley.
My love: I had a small panic attack. Wanted to let you know before someone mentioned it. I’m okay now.
What do you mean, small?
My love: Mom brought us to the Mexican cantina near base. It’s right by . . .
I remember. Are you still there?
My love: Yes.
We are on our way.
I pocket my phone and check with the rest to see if they’re good with meeting the rest of the bridal party at the cantina. Tucker proclaims he’s in need of a margarita, while Nate is suddenly hungry for a burrito. I don’t care what I eat or if I eat. I want to get to Ryley and make sure she’s okay. I know she says she is, but until I can touch and see her, I won’t believe what she’s telling me.
One of the best things I like about Jensen is that the man knows how to drive. He knows all the short-cuts and doesn’t waste any time getting back to the bridge and to the base. When we walk into the restaurant, EJ runs to Ryley to tell her all about his suit, and then asks Lois where Grace is. It seems Chloe offered to babysit Grace, with Carter’s watchful eye in the background.