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“It’s okay, sweetheart.” Now that I knew the truth, I felt like a jackass for sticking my nose where it didn’t belong. “You don’t need to discuss it anymore.”
“Okay…I just want to forget about it.”
“Absolutely.”
“I prefer Rome. So please don’t call me Lisa.”
That was all I’d ever known her as. I liked her name. “I like it better anyway. What made you pick it?”
She shrugged. “I was eighteen at the time, full of hopes and dreams.”
I nodded for her to continue.
“Historians say Rome was the greatest empire in the world. I guess I wanted to be strong like the greatest historical government. It’s stupid…but that’s what I was thinking.”
“No, it’s not stupid,” I whispered. “It fits you perfectly.”
A small smile came onto her lips. “Thanks…”
“Thank you for telling me.”
“No secrets between spouses, right?” she asked.
I nodded. “No secrets.”
“Well…I’ll let you get back to work.” She walked to the door, her hips swaying as she moved.
“Sweetheart?”
“Hmm?” She looked at me over her shoulder.
“When do you wanna marry me?”
The mention of the wedding made her smile brighter. “As soon as possible.”
“Yeah?” I asked.
“Yeah.”
“I was thinking something small, something intimate.”
“Me too.” She leaned against the door with her hair pulled over one shoulder.
“City Hall?”
She shook her head. “More personal than that.”
“Where do you want to get married?”
“There’s this church that I love on Fifth…”
I wasn’t a big fan of churches, but I wouldn’t deny the woman I loved what she wanted. “I’ll make some calls.”
“Really?” she whispered.
“Whatever you want, sweetheart.”
She smiled wide, the love reaching her eyes. “I’m a very lucky woman.”
She was the one who saved my life. I was the lucky one. “I think we’re both pretty lucky.”
“Cheers.” Christopher raised his wineglass, and we clinked our glasses together.
“Cheers.” Jackson downed his scotch because he wasn’t refined enough for wine.
“I’m happy for my sister.” Christopher clinked his glass against hers. “She deserves the best, and I think Calloway is the best.” He turned to me next. “Calloway…I think you’re making a huge mistake, but I don’t think you’re gonna listen to my advice.”
I chuckled. “Not a chance.”
Christopher drank his wine before he set it down. “You’re gonna have to tell me what you want for your wedding because I’m not good with gifts.”
“You don’t need to get us anything,” Rome said. “The wedding will be tiny.”
“Just the four of us,” I said. “Next Saturday.”
“What about Mom?” Jackson asked.
Christopher didn’t know anything about my mom as far as I knew. I didn’t want to discuss it in front of him, but he was bound to find out anyway. There was nothing to be embarrassed of. He’d had a hard life, just the way I did. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t you want her there?” Jackson asked.
“I don’t think she could handle that since she doesn’t remember anything.” Even if my mother could come and enjoy the day, she would never remember it. The next morning, it would be like it never happened.
“I think she should be there,” Rome said. “I’m sure we can figure out a way to make it work. It would mean a lot to me if she was there.”
I locked eyes with Rome, the woman who only wanted the best for me. She’d been by my side since the beginning, going to visit my mom even on days when I didn’t want to be there. She was my rock—and she understood my pain.
“So, does this mean I’m the maid of honor?” Christopher asked as he cringed. “Because I’m not really the girly type.”
“You just have to stand there,” Rome said. “And not say something stupid.”
Christopher laughed before he took a drink. “Can’t promise anything, sis.”
“I’m the best man, right?” Jackson asked.
“I wouldn’t want it to be anyone else.” I fist-bumped Jackson across the table.
He smiled and fist-bumped me back. “Thanks, man.”
“I’m happy for you guys,” Christopher said. “You guys have had your ups and downs…a lot of them. But I think this is gonna last forever. I can see that you really love each other. If you ask me, that’s all you really need.”
“Aw,” Rome whispered. “That was sweet, Christopher.”
He shrugged. “I’m a big softy. Don’t tell anyone.”
“We’ll keep it between the four of us,” I said. “No one else needs to know you’re a pussy.”
Rome turned her fiery gaze on me. “Calloway.”
“Come on, he knows I’m kidding,” I said. “We’re brothers so I have to tease him.”
“He’s got a point, Rome,” Christopher said. “And as brothers, it’s my job to get him back. And I will.”
I gave him a slight nod. “Bring it on, bro.”
Rome walked inside with her wedding dress covered in a thick plastic bag that blocked my view.
I couldn’t wait to see it—and then rip it off. “How’d it go?”
“The woman did some alterations, and now it fits perfectly.” She opened the hallway closet and gently placed the dress inside.
