“Happily.” I had to interject because I didn’t want this to become an argument. My father wasn’t by his nature, sexist. He’d treated all of us equally.
Well, except he might’ve been more lenient with Cooper.
Who was, currently, adjusting Lachlan’s wig.
Both men had odd expressions on their faces.
Uh…
“Thank you for welcoming me.” Taryn’s words pulled me back.
“Yeah, you’re awesome parents. Thanks for the help with the wedding.”
“My dearest, we want you to have the best start possible, and that means getting into the real-estate market.” Dad beamed.
Mom smacked his shoulder.
I moved on to the Briggses.
Taryn’s mother was a mirror of Lachlan—dark-brown hair and piercing brown eyes. I was never certain if her gaze was now approval as she had an uncanny ability to have a completely neutral expression. She very much kept her deep emotions to herself. That said, she’d smiled when Taryn and I announced our engagement.
Today, she offered another bright smile. “Thank you for making my daughter happy.”
“I’ll endeavor to do that for the rest of our lives.”
For just an instant, she squinted. Trying to test out the veracity of my words? Trying to determine my sincerity? To divine if I could actually pull it off?
For a moment, my belief wavered. What if I couldn’t? What if I wasn’t the right person—
“You’re perfect for her. And we’ll make certain she keeps her half of the bargain.”
“Mom?” Taryn, finished with my parents, placed her hand again at the small of my back.
I leaned back into the support.
“Your mother was just assuring Stephanie how much we believe you’ve both made the right decision. You look radiant together.” He gave Taryn’s costume a long look. “Never let it be said my children aren’t wonderful.”
We all, as a group, gazed over at Lachlan and Cooper.
Lachlan was brushing something off the skirt of Cooper’s dress.
They both glanced up at the same time.
Cooper curtseyed deeply while Lachlan gave a little wave.
Mrs. Briggs sighed. “They need to get married.”
I nearly choked and must’ve let out a strangled sound.
She met my gaze and pressed a hand to her chest. “Oh, I didn’t mean to each other. Lachlan’s not gay, of course. I simply meant my son is nearing forty with no significant other in sight, and Cooper…” She sighed.
I knew what that sigh meant. The Briggses hadn’t spent much time around my brother, but clearly they interpreted his zaniness as something that might be tamed if he perhaps partnered up with someone more serious.
Someone like Lachlan.
And someone serious, in turn, might loosen up a bit if they were around Cooper.
It could work.
