Phoebe snatches the monogrammed square out of my hand and laughs.And there it is—the most enchanting sound I’ll ever hear.My favorite song.My girlfriend’s laugh.
She dabs at a corner of my mouth, wiping away her lipstick.She gives me a mischievous smile.“I see you didn’t shave, Evander.”
“I didn’t.Full disclosure, though—I trimmed.I couldn't stand it.Does it still do it for you?”
She examines my face.“Oh, yeah.”
“Good.”
“You’re a devastatingly attractive man,” she whispers.“So handsome in this suit.I’ve missed you a lot.”She adjusts my boutonniere and returns the handkerchief.
I slip it into my pocket.“How’s the ass?”
“Fine.”
“Damn right, it is.”
“How’s the burn?”
“Hot.”
“Damn right, you are.”
I crook my elbow and offer Phoebe my arm.We head off to join our families to celebrate Finn and Emma.
It’s a wonderful evening.
A string quartet provides music during a dinner that is flat-out unbelievable.Emma had insisted on handling the menu herself and hired a huge staff to turn her vision into reality.She’s a genius.
I tell my new sister-in-law that it was some of the finest cuisine I’ve ever tasted, and I’m not just blowing smoke up her wedding dress.
She kisses me on the cheek and thanks me, then adds, “I’m so happy that you finally came to your senses about Phoebe.”
I’m a little taken aback by Emma’s comment, but I recover, and she heads off to speak with other guests.I’ve been hearing those kinds of comments a lot over the last few days.I’m beginning to think that the only person who was surprised to see Phoebe and I together wasme.
I’m relieved that Phoebe’s family is enjoying themselves.Several of the brothers are catching up with the locals.I notice that Mason’s hitting on one of Emma’s friends from Reno.Even Gil seems to be having a good time.
While Emma and Finn cut the wedding cake, I walk over to stand next to Gil.“I hope you’re enjoying yourself, sir.”
He looks up at me and nods.“This.This is what Phoebe deserves.Promise me that one day she’ll have it.”
“I promise,” I tell him.
I can’t even begin to imagine the pain he feels, knowing how much he will miss out on when he passes.It dawns on me that Mom must have felt this same grief at the end, knowing she would never see her sons grow to adulthood and find loves of their own.
I know how happy she’d be for Cal.For Finn.And now, for me.
“Gil, may I ask you something?”
He nods.I decide to go for it.All he can do is say no.And if he does, I may not pay any attention to him.
Because a plan is taking shape in my mind.
“I’d like to take Phoebe somewhere warm and sunny for a couple weeks.I think after what we’ve been through, it would do us both some good.”
“I can see that,” he says.“So you’re thinking somewhere warm and sunny and about a thousand miles away from the families?”
I laugh.“Yes sir.”
