“Why would I?”
He spied Freddie in the hallway and called out to him. “Freddie. Please apologize to Dottie for all of us and tell her if we haven’t completely ruined dinner, we’re ready whenever she is.”
“Of course. I’ll be right back.”
Spencer, God bless the man, was the first to speak. “I’d like to make a toast. To Chess and André. Two people who’ll do anything to make a party memorable.”
Elliot sighed and shook his head; Win’s lips twitched while Wolf rolled his eyes and muttered something he couldn’t hear.
“Glad to be of service.” André lifted his glass, and with the tension somewhat broken, the conversation around the table resumed, but he could barely concentrate with Henry’s words playing in his ears.
“What do you think?” Chess asked with a tip of his head toward Henry. Across the table, his mother and brother seemed engaged in a very serious discussion.
André found it hard to reconcile the man he’d known to shrug off every problem with a “whatever,” the all-night partier and womanizer, with someone who could run a multimillion-dollar business. Then again, if there was anything this night had proved, it was that people weren’t always who they seemed. “I’m as shocked as anyone, but I’m happy to listen to him. I just don’t want him to think it’s something to dabble in. He won’t be able to wake up at ten and stroll in at noon.”
Freddie and Dottie appeared in the doorway and began serving the shrimp cocktails. His stomach growled, and he chuckled when Chess glanced over at him with a smirk.
“Hey. I missed lunch. Someone was too distracting.”
“Guilty as charged. But I see you eyeing mine.” Chess moved his plate away and hovered his hand over it protectively. “Don’t even think about it. I may love you, but that doesn’t mean I’m sharing my food with you.”
André ate a shrimp, then set his fork on the table. “What you said before? About a prenuptial agreement? I’m not having it. Our marriage will be about sharing everything—the good and the bad.”
Chess opened his mouth, but André put two fingers over his lips. “What’s yours is mine and what’s mine is yours. You’re giving me your heart, which is worth infinitely more than stock certificates and bank balances.”
Eyes bright with emotion, Chess murmured against his fingers, “We’ll talk about it.”
The plates were cleared, and the Wagyu steak and grilled lobster were served family-style. Platters of steaming fried chicken and fresh corn were placed on the table along with Dottie’s homemade biscuits and various salads, including the shrimp salad Chess coveted. André far preferred this homey comfort food to the overdone, hyped menus so many trendy restaurants favored, and it seemed everyone else agreed, as the only sounds around the table were murmurs of appreciation and sighs of pleasure.
“This was delicious.” Win surveyed his picked-clean plate. “The only meals my partner and I manage during the day usually consist of a squashed sandwich eaten on the run, and by the time I get home, it’s too late to cook. My pitiful attempts at grilling don’t even come close to this. Thank you for including me in your celebration.”
“You’re part of the family.” Spencer, at Win’s side, patted his hand. “Chess and André are the old married couple, and you and Elliot are the new lovebirds.”
“What about you and Wolf?” Chess teased.
“We’re nothing,” Wolf said quietly, and Spencer’s eyes narrowed, but he smiled.
“Oh, we’re the bitter exes who say we hate each other yet can’t seem to let go.”
Wolf’s hard jaw tightened, his face paled, but he didn’t respond.
André met Win’s eyes across the table and received a faint smile in return.
Freddie came in to clean up, and Chess stood. “Please let me help. I can’t sit by and watch you do this all by yourself.”
“No, you’re a guest. I have someone to help us. Jasper? He’s coming now.”
A tall, well-built young man André recognized as one of the gardeners strode into the room. Instead of shorts and a tank top, he now wore a button-down shirt and slacks. Giving them all a nervous smile, Jasper collected their plates while Freddie took the platters of excess food, placed them on a rolling trolley, and wheeled them out. Dottie appeared with a strawberry shortcake in one hand and a lemon cake in the other.
“Here we are. I know these are your favorites, so I decided no one should have to pick. And there’s more!”
On cue, Freddie reappeared with a pie in one hand and a platter of colorful macarons in the other. “More dessert is always a good thing.”
André cut a piece of strawberry shortcake and slid his fork into the fluffy icing and fresh fruit. He held it out to Chess. “Not as sweet as you, but it will have to do.”
Chess’s lips closed around the cake, and he licked his lips. “I love you almost as much as I love this cake.” He threw a swift wink, and they kissed, André loving the taste of Chess’s laughter, vowing to always keep him smiling.
“I’m still a bit in shock over Henry’s announcement; aren’t you?” Chess darted a look to Henry, who was listening to his mother. “I feel sorry for him having your mother lecture in his ear. Maybe you can rescue him?”
