Jed and Tobin got married at the beginning of the summer. Tyrell and I attended their flash New York wedding. It was such a swanky affair… and I loved every second of it. Jed’s uncle funded the event, and Tobin took advantage of his very kind offer. He really has a flair for big events like that, and I felt like a first-class lady stepping into the expensive hotel for a rooftop ceremony. The view was stunning. But all I could really focus on was the loved-up looks on my friends’ faces.
When Jed said, “I do,” Tobin’s eyes glassed with tears, and he totally lost it when he was trying to say his vows. Jed squeezedhis hand, his expression glowing when he whispered, “You can do it, baby. I love you.”
“And I love you,” Tobin blubbered. “I never thought I could get so lucky to meet such an amazing man.”
I leaned my head against Tyrell’s shoulder, thinking exactly the same thing.
I am the luckiest lady alive.
Although, I’m pretty sure Satch would argue that point. Wily proposed to her at Christmas, and she’s now sporting this whopping great diamond, which is seriously jaw-dropping. They’re not getting married until after she graduates, which is still one more year away, but I can imagine it will be a huge event. The media has been all over it. People love a feel-good story, and the rise of Wily Wilson in the NFL has been a thing of beauty. He worked his ass off last year and is all set to start next season. He’s pumped, and I’m happy for him. And Satch has been coping with the publicity really well, as far as I’m aware. Wily’s a king in front of the camera, all smiles and flirty banter. Satch stands with the other football wives in the team suite, blushing every time a camera swings her way. You can tell she’s nervous, but then she’ll spot Wily waving at her and her face will light up. People love, love,lovetheir cute vibe.
My eyes dart to Blake, who’s sitting beside her brother. She’s on Grady’s knee, her leg swinging back and forth as she looks at something on her phone. Grady’s talking to her, pointing at the screen and grinning. She laughs, curling into him before reaching up to press a kiss to his jawline. He just graduated from Nolan U, and I’m pretty sure he’s about to start an internship at some environmental place. I can’t remember, but it’s got to do with saving trees or forests or something. Blake’s still got three years left at college, and they’ve found a little apartment together. I’m pretty sure Grady’s job is mostly online with sitevisits scattered throughout, so he’ll probably be away a lot, but at least he gets to come home to her after each trip.
“No!” Zoey puts her hands on her hips, then wags her little finger up at her father, who’s giving her a very dry, unimpressed frown.
Leaning forward, he takes her little hand and replies, “Yes, lil’ bug, you will, because if you’re really that hungry, you’ll eat the snack food Mommy made for you.”
Zoey’s expression buckles. “But chocolate,” she whines, pointing to the shop just next to the chairs we’re waiting in.
“But carrot sticks,” Zander replies, forcing enthusiasm as he pulls them out of Zoey’s bright pink backpack.
She huffs, scowling at her father before turning around to eye up the rest of the group. Her gaze lands on Wily, who’s fighting a grin… and she starts to move toward him.
“Don’t you dare,” Zander warns him. “If you buy her chocolate, I will end you, man. I am not kidding.”
I bite my lips together, sharing a quick look with Tyrell as we fight our laughter.
Poor Zander is exhausted. I’m guessing having six-month-old twins will do that to you. Cole and Logan were born right at the end of Zander’s first season with the LA Chargers. They arrived a month earlier than expected, and he nearly missed the birth but managed to fly home in the nick of time.
Since then, it’s been a whirlwind of diaper changes and late-night feedings, plus looking after a precocious Zoey, who’s getting more ballsy by the day. Seriously, that girl has got herself personality to spare, and as she puts on her best smile and swans toward Uncle Wily, you can see it in full effect.
“Come on, man,” Wily whines. “Look at those baby blues. How am I supposed to?—”
“Find a way,” Zander growls.
Carson stands up with a snicker, snatching Zoey into his arms and walking away with her before Wily can fold like a deck of cards. She yells out a few protests until he says something quietly in her ear, and then she giggles.
Leaning back with a sigh, Wily blows out a breath and shakes his head. “That was close.”
Zander ignores him, eyeing up Carson with a suspicious glare.
“Don’t worry.” Nylah touches his shoulder. “He’s just taking her over to the mechanical helicopter thing.”
Closing his eyes with a relieved sigh, Zander nods. “Okay. Thanks.” He looks around the group. “She’s been going crazy for sugar the last few months. And with us so distracted by the twins, she’s getting away with everything. We’re trying to rein her in.” Scrubbing a hand over his forehead, he leans forward with a big yawn.
“When does she start kindergarten?” I ask.
“Not for another year, but she’ll be going to preschool four days a week as soon as the summer’s over, so that’ll be good. She’s so ready for more days.”
“How’s Sienna doing?” Nylah settles down beside him, rubbing his back like a mother hen.
“Yeah, she’s amazing. Such a good mom.” He glances across at us. “Sorry she couldn’t make it. We had a really shitty night. Cole just wouldn’t settle, and then he woke up Logan. We finally managed to get them both down around four, and Zoey was up, bright and bouncy, at six.”
“Ouch,” Satch softly whispers, wincing and giving Wily a worried frown.
“It’s going to be okay, baby.” He brushes his lips across her forehead, and she gives him a doubtful look.
I perk up in my chair and point at her. “Are you…?”
