God, I loved this woman.
The song wound down and the ladies made their way off the stage toward their respective partners. Trixie danced her way over to me, and I caught her as she dropped into my lap, my hands finding her waist like they belonged there.
“Were you surprised?” she asked, slightly breathless, eyes sparkling behind those bedazzled frames.
“So surprised. The best surprise.” I pulled her closer. “How did you keep this a secret?”
“We practiced on book club nights.”
“I knew twice-weekly book club was excessive.”
“The importance of the Bridgerton family cannot be overstated, Christopher.”
Down the table, Penny was laughing at something Everett had said. “We watched your reactions on a camera backstage. When they said ‘touching strongly encouraged,’ you looked like you were going to be sick.”
“I wasn’t happy,” Everett confirmed. “Johnston said Marie would deep fry his balls.”
“And serve them with remoulade,” Marie added serenely, stealing a shrimp from his plate.
The staff rearranged the space, adding tables and chairs as more food appeared. Lulu and her wife Mina joined us—apparently the ladies had been having their own New Orleans adventure filled with spa treatments and haunted walking tours. The whole group settled in for what was quickly becoming an actual party.
“I can’t believe you pulled this off,” I said, still not quite over it.
Trixie traced a finger along my jaw. “I can’t believe you were willing to suffer through a strip club for Hayes’s sake. Very noble of you.”
“I was going to be so polite. So respectful. Eyes on my phone the whole time.”
“I know. That’s why we had to intervene.” She kissed my cheek. “Couldn’t let you sit here being miserable on your own bachelor party.”
Across the room, Gryff and his girl Artie were eyeing the now-empty stage.
“Bet I can spin better than you, Kingman,” Artie challenged.
“Oh, you’re on.” Gryff was already rolling up his sleeves.
“Bet we can beat both of you,” called Olive, my cousin Levi’s fiancée. “Come on, babe. Let’s show them what we learned in pole class.”
“That’s cheating if you’ve taken a class,” Gryff protested as they all raced toward the stage.
Mac snort-laughed. “How in the world did she get Levi to take a pole dancing class?”
“She gets him to do a lot of stuff.” Sara Jayne said. “She was telling me about a cheese making class they took when we were at that restaurant, Charcutadaddy’s.”
“Well if we ever have to dance to make some cheddar we will know who to call. Get it, Chickadee? Make some cheddar?”
“Oof, Kingman, you’re not a Dad yet with those jokes.” She teased.
I swear my dick went from zero to why hello there in two heartbeats at the thought of Trixie having my baby. I was gonna get her so pregnant with so many babies.
Trixie laughed, settling more comfortably against me. “Your family is insane.”
“Our family,” I corrected. “In one week, you’re stuck with us forever.”
“I’ve been stuck with you forever. The paperwork is just a formality.”
I pressed a kiss to her temple. One week. In one week, I’d be marrying my best friend, the love of my life, the woman who’d just crashed my bachelor party in rhinestones and a corset.
Whatever else happened with the wedding, the flowers, the weather, the fifteen things I’d probably text Ciara about tomorrow, this moment right here was perfect. Trixie in my arms, my family causing chaos around us, good food and good music and the heavy New Orleans air wrapping around everything like a promise.
