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“I like dumb questions,” she said. “It shows the person is really trying hard to figure it out. Besides, I used to get dumb questions from the cutest boy…”
“He asked some really dumb questions, I bet.” I grinned.
“Sometimes,” she said, stroking the side of my neck with her finger. “But he was really bright and very sexy. I decided to let it slide.”
I laughed as we turned into the driveway of the bed and breakfast, only the second car there other than Ryan and Allison’s. When we got to the door, I could hear voices inside and was shocked when the door opened, and I saw who it was.
“Graham?” I asked. “You got here early?”
Graham’s eyes slid over to Mallory, who was sitting at the kitchen table, sipping a coffee.
“Sort of,” Mallory said. “We actually stayed here last night.”
“Ahh,” I said, “that makes sense.”
“Ryan and Allison had the place open, and we thought the kids could do a sleepover thing with us next door, so…” he trailed off.
“I get it,” I said.
“Plus, he couldn’t be late if he was already here,” Mallory said, grinning.
“Very true,” I said.
Behind me, the sound of a car coming into the driveway had me turning around, and I saw Mark and Carmela coming in behind us. I smiled and waved at my sister, who waved back, and we all stayed where we were in the doorway of the house until they joined us. I gave my sister a huge hug and then she turned to Kristen to give her one too.
“So good to see you guys,” Carmela said. “I’m sorry I’ve been so busy with work and Cassie lately I haven’t been by for the horses.”
“It’s fine,” I said. “I know you’re busy.”
We all made our way inside, and after a few minutes, Victor and Melanie made their arrivals, completing the group of friends and children, who all disappeared down into the game room in the basement to play. It had been a big project of Ryan’s to build. All of us had pitched in to help over the course of the last year, and now that it was done, it was the perfect place for the kids to hang out while the adults had fun upstairs. There was even a nursery in its own soundproof room for the babies.
“Man, this is great,” Graham said as he watched the kids play downstairs. “I haven’t seen it since I came over to help lay down the flooring.”
“It took a while, but yeah, it’s done and awesome,” Ryan said. “But let’s get over here into the kitchen where the adults can have some fun.”
Everyone seemed so happy for us as a couple when they spoke to me or both of us. Kristen fit in so smoothly with everyone that it was like she had always been a part of the group, and she often was spirited away by the other girls for whatever it was they did when they were away from us guys. It felt like the perfect situation, and I was pretty close to a monumental decision. But before I did that, I wanted to get some advice from Ryan and Graham specifically. I pulled them aside while Mark and Vic went down to play with the kids for a little bit and check on them.
“So, you think you’re going to propose?” Graham asked.
“I mean, that’s the next step, isn’t it?” I asked.
“Look,” Ryan said, looking over his shoulder to make sure the girls were still in the kitchen. Laughter floated out from the room almost as if on cue. “Kristen is great. Like, great. Allison loves her, and I think everyone else does too. She’s perfect for you. You need to be open for change in your life, man.”
“Yeah,” Graham added, “I know you’ve always been the hesitant one. The planner and stuff. But this girl is perfect for you, dude. And you can tell how much she adores you too. If you think she’s the one, don’t dick around. Go get her.”
“I second that,” Ryan said, taking a sip of his beer. “Don’t dick around.”
I nodded.
“It’s weird feeling impulsive,” I said.
“Don’t worry about it,” Ryan said. “The way you talk about her, the way you two interact with each other and everyone else, there’s only one question. Do you love her?”
“Yes,” I said.
“Then get along, little doggy,” Ryan said. “Set yourself free of all these worries about being responsible all the time and overplanning everything. Just be you. Take the risk.”
“She’s worth it,” I said. “But I have to plan something.”
