“Not gonna lie, it’s gonna take a bit of getting used to. But yeah, of course I’m happy for you guys.”
Parker squeals in delight, as if she were actually worried I was going to freak out. Sure, I might have a reputation. But I dare any big brother not to lose his head when he finds his best friend going down on his little sister. Ugh. I shudder just thinking about that forgettable moment in our history.
Opening my arms, I pull Parker in for another hug before turning to my best friend.
“You’re gonna be my best man, right?” he asks.
“Too fucking, right. I’m not allowing any other asshole up there with you while you make an honest woman of my sister.”
“Thank fuck,” he says, as we collide in a hug.
“You know this is for life, right? You can’t give her back.”
Linc barks a laugh while my sister hits me again.
“Mom must be losing her shit,” I say as we finally make our way out of the building and toward the car waiting for us.
“Oh yeah, she’s already in full planning mode.”
“When did you tell them?”
“Yesterday. But they’ve known a while, seeing as this guy made sure to ask Dad’s permission first.”
I stare at Linc. “You did not?”
“Of course I did. I wanted to do it right.”
“Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?” I ask as the loved-up couple climb into the back of the car, leaving me to join the driver so we don’t end up squashing Parker between us.
Linc chuckles. “You’ll get it one day, man. She’s going to knock you on your ass and you won’t even see it coming.”
My cell burns a hole in my pocket as I focus on the street ahead.
I didn’t get a chance to tell Bea how beautiful she looks tonight, and I’m regretting not doing it before I left the apartment.
I force myself to sit there and listen to Parker and Linc tell me about their magical vacation, and as soon as we arrive, I march ahead and inside the gallery for tonight’s fundraiser without stopping to talk to anyone in the small crowd that’s gathered.
“Ah, Donnelly, how lovely to see you,” Hailee teases. But despite wanting to give her some shit, I keep moving forward until I spot the sign for the restroom.
Once I’m inside, I pull my cell from my pocket.
There hasn’t been anything else from Sienna, but I can’t say I’m surprised. She said everything she needed to say.
I pull up my chat with Bea, but the second my thumb hovers over the keyboard, I freeze.
I’ve never done this before. If I message women, it’s to proposition them—which, honestly, doesn’t happen all that often.
Rett: You look beautiful tonight.
When I hear the restroom door open, I panic, lock my cell, and stuff it into my pocket before I can hit send.
Monroe’s brows pinch.
“Everything okay?” he asks.
“Yeah, of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”
He shakes his head as he walks past me to take a piss.
