"My maid of honor is ovulating tonight so she's in pound town," Magnolia announced. "But that isn't the point. We were born together, you guys. I'm not going to be a Santillian triplet after tomorrow." She hooked a grumpy thumb at Rob as tears shone in her eyes. "I'm going to be Mrs. Russo tomorrow and it's not going to be the same anymore so we have to do this tonight. Together." She stepped away from Linden, turned in a circle, and pursed her lips. "Does anyone else smell pizza?"
Swearing under his breath, Ash guided me away from the group. "I don't want to leave you alone," he said when we'd gained some privacy. "I need some Zelda time."
"Well, your sister needs some triplet time," I replied. "You know what? This is good. I need a moment to decompress and maybe write an anonymous letter to Colorado State University on the topic of academic integrity." I nodded as if confirming this decision with myself. Yeah, that would do it. "I want you to spend some time with your sister but please keep her away from the pizza. She'll regret it tomorrow when she can't breathe in her dress."
He stared at me a moment, those concern brackets taking up residence on either side of his mouth and those same old crinkles cutting into his forehead again. Then, he took my face in his hands and kissed me. It was a sweet kiss, nothing rough or demanding as he usually preferred, and I didn't resent that change as much as I thought I would. It felt like it always did with Ash—like I belonged right here.
"My dad's going to dine out on this two ladies story for months," Ash murmured against my lips. "Do you see what I mean about them wanting to keep you?"
"Maybe I like being kept by them."
He made a grumbly, growly noise of dissent I knew he didn't mean and asked, "You're sure about this?"
I replied with a quick kiss and a pat on his rock-solid chest. "I am. You know where to find me later."
When we rejoined Ash's family, we found Magnolia asking, "What is the actual difference between rocky road and Mississippi mud? Does anyone know? Because I'd like to explore that now. Where can we conduct this important research?"
"Baby, we're not going out for ice cream tonight," Rob said, slicing a hand through the air like that was his final word on the matter. "Go back to the Airbnb with your brothers. Get some rest. Call me when you wake up—or whenever you want."
"That will be on our wedding day," she shouted. "I'm getting married tomorrow."
"Okay, that's it," Rob muttered as he stepped forward and swung her up into his arms. "I'm putting you to bed."
"No," she cried. "We have to be separated tonight. It's thelaw."
"It'll never hold up in court," Ash said.
I elbowed him in the ribs for that.
"I'm just taking you home, baby. You're going to get yourself arrested for disturbing the peace if this goes on much longer and I'm not interested in bailing out my bride."
He marched away from the restaurant, Magnolia babbling on the topics of ice cream and movies and something about landscape renovation budgets.
"That's our cue," Linden said, gesturing for Ash to join him.
"Mine too," Carlo said, presenting his arm to Diana. "I'm going to get a reputation for myself if I'm out with two beautiful women at this hour."
"Keep that up," Ash said to his father. "It's hilarious." He gathered me in a tight embrace and pressed a kiss to my hair. "Text me when you get in. Okay?"
"I will," I promised.
He walked backward in the direction Rob and Linden had traveled, making little effort to catch up to them while I hooked my arm in Carlo's elbow.
"Are we ready, ladies?" Carlo asked.
I held up my hand, waving to Ash as we turned in the opposite direction. He did the same.
When I knew Ash was out of earshot, I patted Carlo's arm and said, "Since I have you here, may I bend your ear on the topic of business for a minute?"
"I can't think of a better topic for a moonlight stroll," he replied while Diana snorted. "What's on your mind, my dear?"
"I think I might be able to give you more time away from the office," I said. "But only if you're up for some creative solutions."
"I can't wait to hear this," he replied. "I'll do anything to cut my hours."
I almost laughed at that as I knew he'd stonewalled all of Ash's proposals. Almost. "Then you're going to love the plans I've developed."
24
