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“You’re evil,” I assured her with a shudder.
“Thanks for noticing. Later, Lopez.”
The guys were in serious deep conversation when I got back to the table. “What did I miss?”
Liam groaned. “Miles called this meeting to con us into helping him plan his engagement party.”
“For real, man? Again?”
Miles didn’t look the least bit apologetic. “Yep. Look inside, I had Mara make mini breakfast burritos as a bribe.”
As if we’d say no, after years of saving each other’s asses both on and off the battlefield. “Works for me, I guess. Are strippers appropriate for engagement parties?”
Miles groaned and shook his head. “Maybe I should have just asked the Time for Love girls.”
“It’s not too late,” Liam added while he double-fisted breakfast burritos.
It was the first time in my life I’d ever attended a meeting to plan a party, but that’s what you did for friends who were like family. “It’s Texas, how about a hoedown theme?”
Liam snorted. “Shannon is a city girl through and through, do black tie Texas.” Miles and I both froze and turned to Liam. “What?”
“First of all,” Miles began, “what the hell is black tie Texas?”
“And second,” I added. “How do you even know how to put those words together?”
“Easy. I listen when my woman talks, you two should try it. Dicks.”
“Listening, that’s when her mouth is moving, right?” It was guaranteed to get a laugh, which it did. “Does that work naked too?”
“It does,” Miles said easily. “How do you think I ended up planning this engagement party?”
Raucous laughter erupted all around the table, drawing smiles and stares from the rest of the bakery. I don’t know how much party planning was done, but we had a good time and ate a lot.
I’d call that a win. My phone rang and I picked it up without looking, because Casper called when he had a spare moment, which was always at odd times. “Hello?”
The other end of the call was quiet but not silent, sounds of traffic came through but that was about it.
“Hello? Is anybody there?”
More silence.
“Cool,” I said sarcastically. “Good talk, asshole.” The guys stared at me and I shrugged. “Wrong number. Or someone chickened out of dirty talk.” I wondered for a brief moment, if it was Brenna, but I shook it off when a quick look at the screen said the call was from a blocked number.
“A bitter ex?” Liam smiled, brows arched knowingly.
“My women are never bitter,” I assured him confidently.
“Except the ones who want more than you’re willing to give,” Miles shot back quickly. Too quickly, if you asked me.
“They know the score.” I always made sure the women knew, up front, that I was a loyal and honest guy, but I wasn’t a forever guy.
“I’m not sure you know the score,” Liam said, his expression suddenly dark. “Guys looking to have fun don’t generally use a matchmaker.”
“Now you sound like my mom.”
“She’s a smart woman. Tell her I said so, maybe I’ll get some of those barbecue enchiladas.”
“Or the huevos rancheros grilled cheese,” Miles added excitedly. My mom tried to make up for my dad’s long absences overseas by creating recipes she thought blended her Mississippi heritage with his Mexican heritage. The results were always a treat. “Hey, your mom is totally invited to the engagement party, Grant. Food is always a welcome gift.”
“No way, she might start getting ideas, and I’m not ready to break her heart yet.”
Her greatest disappointment in life was that none of her sons were married, depriving her of the daughters she’d always wanted, and the grandchildren she couldn’t wait to spoil.
Brenna
“You’re really going to let Miles plan the engagement party? The whole thing?” I sent Shannon a skeptical look through the mirror while I wiped down the flat surfaces in the salon. She’d stopped by for a last-minute trim and stayed for girl talk, something I hadn’t had enough of lately.
Shannon nodded, one hand palming her growing belly, a wide smile illuminated her natural beauty. “Yep. He says he wants to do it and he’s been asking for my input every step of the way, but between the bakery and getting things ready for the baby, I find that I don’t mind handing over the reins.”
“But this is a party, honey, and you’re so…elegant. Aren’t you worried it’ll end up being a backyard barbecue or military theme party?”
She barked out a laugh. “A little bit, but it’s his party too, and if that’s what he wants, then I’m all right with it.” She let out another, smaller laugh. “At least that’s what I’m saying now. With these hormones, I might have the whole thing planned by this time tomorrow.”
“I’ve never been engaged before, but I’m good with details, so if you or Miles need any help, you know where to find me. Here. Always here.” I worked too much, but it was exciting to have my own salon, especially one that thrived.
