Page 86 of The Wrong Groom

“Thank you,” my mother says. There’s a slight crease between her brows now, and she glances at me before turning her attention back to Alexis. “How are you adjusting to married life?”

Alexis swallows. Her hands twist together in front of her, her eyes darting briefly toward the floor. Before she can speak, Peyton skips over to her and reaches up to grab her hand.

“I have to tell you a secret,” my daughter says in a solemn, carrying whisper.

A smile flits across Alexis’s face. She crouches down to Peyton’s level, her nervousness momentarily forgotten.

“A secret?” Alexis repeats, her voice more stable now. Something tightens in my chest as I watch the exchange.

Peyton nods. “Yup. A good one.”

She leans in close, cupping a hand around Alexis’s ear, and whispers something I can’t make out. Alexis tilts her head, listening intently. Then her eyebrows lift, and she grins.

“Ooh, okay,” she says. “You’re right. That’s a very good secret.”

Peyton, apparently deciding this insider information is too good to keep to herself, spins around to face the rest of us.

“I told her Grandma has ice cream in the freezer,” she reports with her sweet lisp. “The kind with the chocolate swirls. But we have to eat all our dinner first.”

A ripple of laughter goes around the room. Even Alexis huffs a small laugh, and I watch some of the tension go out of her shoulders. Peyton beams, clearly pleased with herself, and Alexis straightens, meeting my mother’s gaze.

“I’m adjusting to married life pretty well,” she says. Her voice is still quiet, and I can tell the nerves haven’t faded entirely, but the stutter is gone and she seems more at ease. “It’s been a change, but it’s been good. A pretty smooth learning curve, I think.” She glances over her shoulder at me, her eyes shining. “And I’ve had a lot of fun.”

I smile at her, feeling a warmth spread through me. It’s the first time I’ve heard her talk about this whole situation to someone else in a positive way, without the uncertainty or hesitation.

“Glad to hear it,” my mother says. I can tell she’s being genuine by the way her voice softens. She looks at Alexis for a moment, her eyes thoughtful, before nodding approvingly and gesturing toward the kitchen. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to check on the progress of dinner. You two can feel free to take my seat.”

“Do you mind if Peyton comes with you?”

“Not at all,” she says, smiling down at Peyton. “Come with grandma, love.”

My mother brushes past, heading for the kitchen, where her personal chef is undoubtedly working to ensure everything is just right. Peyton skips along behind her.

I sit down, and Alexis joins me on the couch.

“Can I get you guys anything to drink while I’m over here?” Jackson offers, looking up from the drink cart.

“Grab me one of whatever you’re drinking,” I say. “Alexis, you want anything?”

She shakes her head. “I’m good for now.”

“Roger that.” Jackson gives a little salute, then bends down to rummage for another glass. While he does that, I steeple my hands and focus on Dominic.

“So. What the hell was that death trap sitting in Mom’s driveway?”

The mood shifts at once as all of my brothers sense the chance to go in on Dominic. The target of everyone’s loving sibling jabs is constantly shifting, but he seems to get it the most, since he’s the most capable of both dishing it out and taking it.

“Are you talking about my Ducati?” Dominic asks calmly, raising an eyebrow.

“I knew it was yours. I fucking knew it.” I snap my fingers. “When did you get a new bike?”

“A month ago. I’ve been riding it to work for weeks. Keep up, man,” says Dominic.

“This is the first time I’m noticing it too,” Tristan comments.

“Yeah, because you’re always in the office by seven-thirty. You don’t see anyone come in, and you don’t see anyone leave.”

Dominic’s attempt to move the sights over to Tristan is as transparent as it is useless. “Don’t deflect,” I say, leaning forward. “Dude. Why are you always riding motorcycles? You can’t afford a car?”