“I have a wedding gift for you,” I say with a smile. We’ve tabled this discussion so many times, Cooper’s only response was when you’re ready.
“You’re the only gift I need, darlin’.” The smoldering look he gives me reaffirms what he’s saying. I do the next best thing: I take his hand, placing it low on my stomach. “I didn’t go in for my birth control shot. Think we can make a honeymoon baby?”
“Goddamn, you just upped the ante, by a mile. You, a beach, and no one around for miles. I’m going to do my best fucking a baby into your belly, Hadley. So much that you’ll need a vacation from the sex alone.” His tone is gruff as Cooper pulls me into his body, letting me feel just how happy he is for our honeymoon and family to start.
“I’m ready when you are,” I tell him. We’ve already eaten and had a slice of cake.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Tyler slides over to stop us from leaving the dance floor.
“Away from you,” Cooper grunts. It causes me to laugh even more. Tyler is officially cock-blocking Coop, when in all actuality, we should be the ones cock-blocking Tyler. Ever since his last mishap with his waitress, he’s been single. Well, truth be told, he’s always been single. I don’t think he’ll ever settle down, but neither of us has seen him with another woman, and especially not another waitress. He’s constantly grumbling that his dick is staying in his pants from here on out.
“The fun is just starting. Look at your parents, they’re doing shots at the bar.” I look. My eyes are probably bulging out of their sockets. Sandra and Max are licking the salt off the back of their hands, shooting a shot of tequila, and then sucking back the lime.
“Dear God, last time they did this at your bar, I had to carry Mom out while Dad stumbled behind. Who’s going to take them home this time? And whose dumb-ass idea was it to serve them shots?” Coop arches his eyebrow while looking at Tyler.
“Don’t look at me. Your dad was the one who went behind the bar and pulled out the Tequila. You’re lucky he didn’t get into the whiskey this time.” Tyler’s arms are up in a it wasn’t me manner.
“We’ll stay and make sure they make it home. We don’t leave for Cabo till tomorrow anyways,” I suggest.
“The fuck we will. Tyler can drive their asses home or let them sleep it off upstairs.” There’s no way that’s going to happen. Tyler’s apartment is more of a pigsty than a home to live in. The thought of me staying up there, let alone his parents, causes me to shiver.
“My place isn’t that bad. I mean, it usually is, but I just hired a cleaning service. So, don’t give me that look, Hads,” he smarts back.
“I’m praying for the poor unsuspecting person now. I can’t believe you found someone to actually clean. I bet that cost you a mint.” Tyler doesn’t pick up after himself. His bar may be pristine, but his apartment, not so much.
“Wise ass. I picked up a lot of it before I let her in. Anyways, you two love birds get out of here. I’ll take care of the rents for you.”
“Thank you, Tyler, for everything, and not just this. Your friendship, the way you’re more of a brother to me than anything, and for kicking my ass into shape when I needed it the most.” I move out of Cooper’s side, make my way to Tyler, and give him a hug, all while my husband stands off to the side, pouting. Yes, I said pouting. Nothing like a thirty-three-year-old man being grumpy because I’m giving our friend a hug.
“Anytime, sister child. Anytime,” he kisses the top of my head and states. “Get back to grumpy pants before he starts crying.”
“Don’t make me wreck your pretty-boy face,” Cooper fires back. It causes us all to laugh.
We say our goodbyes, even to Cooper’s parents. I wish my own could have made it, but it wasn’t in the cards. I almost cried over it, but then I told myself that I knew better. This is the best they have to offer, and it’s only going to make me aware of what not to do to our future children. And that in of itself is the most important ever.
“Ready to start our next journey?” Cooper asks
“As long as I’m with you? I’m always ready.” I stand up on my toes, kissing the hollow of his throat. The low growl in his throat tells me everything he doesn’t have to say.
“Fucking right.” He squeezes my hip, and we head out the door, both of us looking forward to the next two weeks of the sun and sand, not to mention the promise Cooper gave me.