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“He’s great too, Dex.”
“I know. But he’s better now. That’s how you know you found the right person, when they make you better. At least, that’s what my dad says.” He looked down at my left hand. “Wow, that’s nice. Derek sent me a picture, but it looks stunning in person.”
“Thank you.”
Dex looked at me again, wearing a kind smile, the same smile his father wore. “Your daughter graduated eighth grade?”
“She did.”
“Congratulations. Only four more years, and she’ll be gone…crazy.”
“I know, it’s been hitting me hard lately.”
“When Derek moved out, my parents were devastated, And when I moved out, Daisy told me they were devastated, so it never gets easier. I wish I could tell you that it did, but it doesn’t.”
“Thanks for keeping it real.”
He chuckled. “Anytime.”
“So, you came all the way here to celebrate?”
“Just a couple of trains and a few Uber rides, but it was totally worth it. I’ve got to head back on Sunday because I have a surgery on Monday. But I’m not going to miss this. After everything that happened with my mom, I’ve come to realize that it doesn’t matter how busy you are, you make time for stuff. If you don’t, what’s the point?”
“True.”
“And now that you’re family, hit me up if you ever need anything. I’m always here, even if you get a weird ache and just want free medical advice.”
“Thank you, Dex.”
When Daisy saw her brother, she quickly came over. “Dex!” She moved into his chest and hugged him tightly, closing her eyes as she squeezed him. “I can’t believe you made it down.”
“Like I’d miss this for anything. Somehow, Derek got a bombshell to agree to marry him. I had to see it for myself to believe it.”
She chuckled. “I know, right?” She pulled away and squeezed his arms. “How’s your doctor shit?”
“Doctor shit? That’s what you call it?”
“Hey, I say the same thing to Dad.”
It was amusing to watch them interact. Derek seemed to be closer to Dex than he was to Daisy, and Daisy seemed to be closer to Dex than she was to Derek. There were quite a few years of separation between them, so it made sense that Daisy wasn’t as close to Derek. They had to be at least ten years apart.
Another couple walked through the door, and this time, I did a double take because I couldn’t believe it was him. I had no idea they’d been invited.
Kevin walked in holding hands with a blond woman. It was the same woman he’d had with him at the rehearsal dinner. She was in a summer dress with a floppy hat, and he was in shorts and a tee. They both looked apprehensive when they stepped inside, unsure if their reception would be warm.
All I could do was stare because I couldn’t believe Derek had asked them to come.
Most of the voices in the room went quiet when they realized Kevin was there.
I turned to look at Derek, to see what he would do.
Derek stared at him for a few seconds, his features still like a photograph. Then he left his parents and walked across the room, past me, and walked up to Kevin. “Hey, glad you could make it.”
The hard lines on Kevin’s face immediately slackened when he saw the way Derek greeted him, welcomed him into this important moment of his life…even though the last time he was engaged, it was ruined. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
Derek hesitated before he moved in and gave him a hug.
Kevin hugged him back and closed his eyes, his palm resting against Derek’s shoulder blades.
When Derek pulled away, he turned to Kevin’s fiancée. “You must be Beatrice.”
“Yes.” She smiled and extended her hand. “It’s so great to meet you. Kevin has told me a lot about you.”
Derek shook her hand then turned to me. “Baby?”
I was so stunned by their interaction that I hesitated before I came over. Derek told me he’d made up with Kevin, but I couldn’t believe it even when it stared at me in the face. I’d watched Derek knock this guy out with a single shot and make him hit the concrete.
Derek’s arm moved around me. “Kevin, this is Emerson…my fiancée.”
Kevin smiled before he extended his hand. “Nice to meet you.” After he shook my hand, he gestured to the woman beside him. “This is my fiancée, Beatrice.”
Beatrice shook my hand. “Thank you for allowing us to celebrate with you. I hope that we can be good friends.”
“Yeah, I’m sure we will,” I said.
Derek continued to stand there with Kevin, like he didn’t know what to say, but he seemed happy he was there. “Can I get you guys a drink?”
“Sure,” Kevin said. “We’ll both take a beer.”
Derek left to retrieve the drinks.
Everyone continued to stare at them, even Ryan and Camille.
I turned back to Kevin. “When are you guys getting married?”
