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“Last call,” I announce, flashing the bottle at them.
Avery, Lily, and Maya hold up their glasses, and I refill each one.
“Thank you,” they say in unison as I finish off the bottle.
When I turn to Molly, she shakes her head. “I’m good.” I make a quick mental note to bring her some water when I go back into the kitchen.
“Did you decide on a venue yet?” I ask Molly. “I know we talked about the New York Public Library, or The Met Cloisters this morning.”
“As much as I loved those options, what do you think about a wedding for thirty people in our backyard?” Molly strokes Bear’s brown fur. He purrs so loudly, I can hear him vibrating over the crackle of wood in the fireplace.What a spoiled boy.
“The backyard?” I clarify. We agreed that our ceremony would be low-stakes, just how Molly described it to me a few months ago at On Cloud Nine.
The only thing missing would be her parents. But I know this is how she prefers it. Whatever makes her happy is fine by me.
“Under the patio deck, in the snow. We can have s’mores, and Analise said she’d put together a dinner for us.” Our gazes connect, and she smiles brightly.
A jolt of electricity runs between us. My radiant woman in her burgundy dress and a swipe of gold across her lids.
Watching her masks fall away in the presence of those she’s most comfortable with makes me grateful that I’m one of the lucky few who get to witness her for all she is. I’m glad she has been leaning on her friend group and me since the split from her parents. She never has to be alone when we’re all here.
“Your girl sure knows what she wants,” Maya says, tipping her wineglass toward me.
“That she does.” I give Molly a quick wink. Another item to check off of my never-ending bucket list.
My soon-to-be wife, smiling widely in all of her glory.Check.
I itch to tell her about the surprise I planned for The Griffin next week, but I push down the desire.
She always makes things special for me; I want to do this one thing for her.
“Except for your bachelorette party, which I’d argue is far more important than the ceremony.” Lily reaches over and tickles the bottom of Molly’s foot. She jolts with laughter, and Bear scowls at Lily.
“Apparently, doing a repeat of tonight isn’t good enough,” Molly giggles.
“Fine. As long as Matthew doesn’t get upset when I hang up sparkling dicks everywhere.” Lily props up on her elbows, shooting me a curious look. “Would that bother you, Mr. Hudson?”
“Lily!” Avery backhands her friend’s shoulder.
“Did you know they make phallic-shaped pasta?” Maya joins in on the raunchy fun.
“And that’s my cue to leave.”
My girl peers back at me with mischief in her eyes. “You’re no fun.”
I lean down and kiss Molly’s hair, which is warm from the fire. “I’ll show you how much fun I am tonight,” I whisper into her ear.
“Ooooo laa laa,” the women sing.
Christ. I thought I was quiet enough. The Anderson scotch obviously went straight to my head.
“Guys, stop.” Molly’s cheeks turn bright red as she waves off their suggestive whistling.
Her friends cheer, whooping and clapping as I make my way back to the kitchen.
Ollie pats me on the back. “Why are you smilin’ so big over there?”
“What are you on about?” I stitch my brows at him, tossing the empty wine bottle into the recycling bin. I pull out a glass for Molly and fill it with sparkling water.
