The Loyal Groom (Groom 1)

I laugh, knowing what that meant, but this is different. “If this is something you really want to do then he is going to help you. Both of us will.” She engulfs me in a giant hug, and I sigh, feeling happy.

Lindsey’s been there for all of us over the years. There’s no way we’re going to leave her hanging.

We enter the kitchen as Darian puts his phone on the kitchen counter. “What did they do?” Lindsey asks, knowing the look on his face.

“Made a couple of princes fall in love with them. They are demanding their hands in marriage.”

I snort a laugh, but no one joins me. “Oh.” I put my hand over my mouth to try and hide it.

“Of course they did.” Lindsey rolls her eyes.

I watch as Darian makes me a cup of coffee the way I like it. I take it from him and pretend to take a sip. Luckily, Lindsey’s mind is wrapped up in a million other things, and she doesn’t notice I’m skipping the caffeine.

I’ve got a little secret that I’m waiting for the perfect time to reveal, but I’m not sure when that perfect time will be.

“Seriously?” I ask, wanting more of this story. Darian shakes his head.

“Men fall right on their faces for those two,” Lindsey scoffs while motioning that she doesn't have a coffee herself. “They wanted some excitement, and they're about to get it.”

“What I was thinking…” Darian agrees. “Besides. I have plans to take my wife on a honeymoon today.”

Butterflies explode inside of me at the possibility. “Really? Today? Just like that?” Hope bubbles up in my heart.

“Just like that.”

I run around the kitchen island and jump into his arms. This was the kind of thing I dreamed about when he made it big. That the money he would make would give us freedom, not chain him to a desk. I know that even in this moment he wouldn’t take the credit for his success. He always says without us girls he never could have done it.

“I’d love nothing more.” I kiss him quickly as he squeezes me close.

We should really do our traveling sooner rather than later with my little secret hanging between us.

“Bacon and bagels?” he asks, knowing it’s my favorite.

“Yes, please, and juice too.”

Lindsey gives me the side eyes as she glances at my abandoned coffee. Darian makes me a fresh glass of orange juice and hands her a mug.

“Eggs for you?” he asks Lindsey.

“I’m not hungry,” she says dryly, reminding me why she’s here in the first place.

“She needs to eat, so yes, eggs,” I tell Darian, and he nods and starts to make breakfast. “You also need to help your sister before she gives herself an ulcer.”

“Mary didn't call you?” He pulls the eggs out of the refrigerator.

“She did, but she was asking me five million things I didn't understand.”

“I doubt that,” I huff and shake my head. “You’re one of the smartest and most capable people I know. If someone breaks something down for you I know you’ll understand it. Just slow down and take a breath.” She actually sits down in one of the high-top chairs and does as I suggest. “My grandpa always told me that you don’t have to be the smartest person in the room, even if you’re in charge. You just have to be capable enough to know who is the smartest. Then you hire them.”

“She’s right. You’re not there to make new technology, you're there to run the place. You’re essentially management, and if anyone can do that, it’s you.”

“Yep,” I say in agreement.

“And I’ll be there to help. I’m only a call away,” he reassures her.

After that, Lindsey begins to relax, and we spend the morning talking and eating breakfast together. It’s nice that we’re all together again and there’s no rush. It’s almost like old times only we’re in a kitchen I don’t think any of us dreamed of.

“Not to put more on anyone’s plate, but I found this.” I click on the property I’ve been eyeing since it came on the market. Our real estate agent Jenna sent it to me knowing it was exactly what I’ve had in mind for a long time.

“What is this?” Lindsey asks.

“I can handle it all,” I rush to say, knowing she has enough to do at the moment.

“We can handle it,” Darian corrects as he pulls the laptop in front of him and me onto his lap. I turn my head and give him a kiss, and Lindsey clears her throat before it can get out of hand.

“It’s a piece of land outside the city. I know this might sound crazy, but I thought we could all build here. You can even build a giant fence to go around the whole thing so it could be our own subdivision.”