Then she laughs.
And just like that, I begin to relax.
Bryce claps loudly. "I gotta say, man, I didn't think you'd pull it off."
"Pull what off?" I ask.
"Marriage," Gregory says dryly. "Statistically improbable again."
Mason groans from the end of the table. "Can we not start this immediately?"
Dex points at Natalie. "Well look who voluntarily married into this circus."
Natalie tilts her head. "I was told there would be emotional support animals. So far I only see hockey players."
Dex presses a hand to his chest. "Dex Miller," he says solemnly. "Team humanitarian and occasional life coach."
Gregory snorts. "He means menace."
"Details," Dex says.
Natalie grins. “Dex, you know that I know exactly who you are. Don’t pretend I haven’t seen it.”
And just like that she's holding her own.
God help them all.
I guide her toward the table.
That's when she notices the cake.
It's sitting in the center like a neon warning sign.
White frosting.
Black lettering.
CONGRATS SHELLY – THAT WAS FAST.
Natalie stops walking.
"You’ve got to be kidding me," she says.
"I swear I had nothing to do with that," I tell her.
Colby raises his glass from the head of the table. "You're welcome."
"You planned this?" I ask.
"We felt the moment deserved recognition," he says solemnly.
Dex points to the cake. "There's also champagne."
"And steaks," Bryce adds.
Gregory lifts a menu. "Mostly steaks."
Natalie laughs again.
