Henley slaps the table in front of him. “Hell yeah, you were. Come on, you finally made a move and we wanna know how it went. Your little display at yoga night was top notch, my friend, so I’m sure the date went well.”
Narrowing my eyes at him, I debate how much I want to share with these guys. But at the same time, for once, I’m really fucking happy and, even though I don’t want to admit it, it’s in large part due to their encouragement.
“It was perfect,” I start just as the waitress arrives at our table. We place our drink orders, then Fletcher nods for me to continue. “I took her to Pete’s. The food was incredible and…” I push a hand through my hair. “I told her everything about my past—my mom, Sarah, the Marines…”
Henley grows serious. “Shit, Rhonan.”
“I know.” Blowing out a breath, I continue. “Then we went back to my place and watched a movie.”
Elliot’s brows draw together. “A movie? Isyourdick broken?”
It’s my turn to flip him off. “Not even a little. But it was important to her, and fuck. I forgot how much I’ve missed having someone to do something so trivial with, you know?”
Fletcher nods. “I get it. The nights when Laney and I hang out at home and watch tv, or cook dinner together are the best moments, in my opinion.”
“After dinner when Elodie and I play with Remy in her room is my favorite part of the fucking day,” Henley interjects, followed by a groan. “Fuck, I miss my girls.”
I lock eyes with Fletcher. “I know this is your bachelor party and all, but I really wish I was back at home with Ellis and Vienna right now, man. I really fucking do.”
Our drinks arrive and Elliot takes his from the waitress before she can even place it on the table. “Apparently, I didn’t start drinking early enough in the evening for all of the lovesick puppy talk. I thought this was supposed to be a bachelor party?”
Fletcher kicks Elliot under the table. “Look, I’m sorry. I know you wish things had worked out differently for you, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t get a second chance at happiness.” He flicks his chin in my direction. “I mean, hell. Look at Rhonan. He never thought he’d want to build a life with someone else after Sarah, and then he met Vienna.”
I smile at the mention of her name again, but the ache in my chest intensifies because I meant what I said. I wish I were back at home with her and my daughter.
My girls.
Elliot snorts. “So you’re telling me I have another five years of listening to you three drone on about how happy you are?” He shakes his head and drains half of his whiskey. “No thank you.”
I slap him on the shoulder. “Don’t shut yourself off to it, man. Trust me. It took me far too long to see what was in front of me the second I met her.”
He eyes me curiously from the side. “So you told her about your past, but did she tell you about hers?”
“Yeah.”
“Everything?” he presses.
“What do you mean,everything?”
Elliot shakes his head and brings his glass back to his lips. “Never mind.”
I pull his glass down before he can drink. “Look, I know you were fucked over, but that doesn’t mean everyone will be. Vienna is incredible. She’s fucking made my whole life feel lighter, man.”
Elliot sighs. “Trust me. I know you’re happy. I’m just trying to look out for you. Pretty sure you’re the one who wanted to do a background check on Tori, and I told you not to. If I would have listened to you, I probably could have spared myself some bullshit and embarrassment.”
“Vienna hasn’t given me a reason not to trust her, though.”
“Wait. Are you telling me that you haven’t done a background check on her?” Henley asks.
And that’s when it hits me.
I haven’t.
It honestly didn’t even cross my mind because our connection from the beginning hasn’t made me think straight exactly. I’m usually the first to suggest such a thing, given that I work in law enforcement.
“No,” I answer honestly, but now that Henley is bringing this up, perhaps I’ve been letting my dick lead the show with rose-colored glasses. I turn my attention back to Elliot. “But now you’re making me wonder if I should.”
He puts his hands up. “I shouldn’t have even fucking said anything. I just want to make sure that you’re getting the whole story from her. That’s all.”
