zo.”
Wyatt laughed. “Gonzo?”
“Yeah, I know. The name might have to change, but Diana’s decision won’t. He’ll be coming home with us.”
John handed Richard a can of soda. “See what you’ve started? Before you know it, we’ll all be adopting pets from the animal shelter.”
“Think of it as a new experience.”
Ben grinned. “I don’t need any more of those.”
Richard cleared his throat. He didn’t know how his friends would react to the questions he had for them, but it didn’t matter. He was on a mission and only someone who’d been there before could understand how stressed he was. “I’m doing some research and I need your help.”
“I hope you’re not going to mention anything about work,” Ethan said.
“Or anything to do with The Welcome Center, the church, or the tiny home village,” John added. “If we talk about any of those things, my brain will click back into work mode.”
Wyatt frowned. “Well, that cuts out most of the things Richard’s involved in. If you have questions about your outdoor furniture, I’d be happy to test any new models. Your furniture should win a design award, it’s so good.”
“My questions don’t have anything to do with any of those things, although I appreciate the comments about my furniture.”
Ethan frowned. “You’d better tell us what you need before John eats all the French fries.”
“What can I say,” John said as he dipped another one into the ketchup. “Shelley’s on a diet. This is the closest I’ve been to anything deep fried in weeks. I’m having withdrawal symptoms.”
Richard looked around the table at the men who’d changed his life forever.
“I know that look,” Ethan said suspiciously. “You’re about to get all emotional and tell us how amazing we are.”
“I have a box of tissues, somewhere,” John said unhelpfully.
“Would you guys quit making jokes? I’m trying to be serious.”
Wyatt’s eyes narrowed. “You’re stalling for time, that’s what you’re doing. It’s just as well my winning streak will override any shady psychological advantage you think you’re getting.”
Ben laughed. “They’re big words for a Friday night.”
“I’m extending my vocabulary. Penny said it keeps your brain active as you age.”
Richard groaned. “I don’t care about your wives eating habits or your brain function. I want to ask Paris to marry me, and I don’t know how.”
Everyone stared at him as if he’d announced a little green man had landed in his backyard.
John was the first to recover. “I found the words ‘will you marry me’ worked well.”
Ben covered his mouth with his hand and gave a suspicious cough.
“Don’t laugh. It isn’t funny,” Richard told him.
Ethan rose from his chair and hugged Richard. “Paris is a great person.”
After everyone had congratulated him, Richard’s stress levels halved. This was the first time he’d told anyone he wanted to marry Paris. Even his conversation with Jack had been more general than specific.
Wyatt frowned. “Why are you worried about asking her to marry you? Do you think she’ll say no?”
“Anything’s possible, but I don’t think she’ll say no. At least, I hope she doesn’t say no. Jack adores her, Louie sulks when she leaves our house, and I can’t imagine my life without her.”
“And there’s your proposal,” John said. “Add on the bit about asking her to marry you and you’re all set.”
