She watched as he took a sip and kept her thoughts from derailing. “Are you sure?”
Tate closed his eyes for a moment, and when they opened, they were clear, a genuine smile forming on his mouth. “If Donovan’s good with it, I’m good with it.”
She squealed and clapped her hands together. “It’s gonna be amazing, Tate. I swear it.”
Now, she just had to figure out how to spring it on her parents.
***
Tate parted ways with Reilly at thediner so she could go to the General Store, and he could go home and shower before his shift.
At least that was his plan, but as soon as he pulled out of the parking lot, he realized he wasn’t heading toward the house. Instead, he was driving toward Donovan’s office. It was a bit out of the way and meant he wouldn’t have time for that shower before he had to be at the station, but he didn’t care. He wanted to see Donovan’s reaction for himself when he told him about the double wedding. It was the only way he would know whether the man was telling him the truth or simply compromising because that seemed to be what Donovan did.
Tate didn’t want Donovan to compromise when it came to his happiness. Although Tate had no desire to stand up in front of a sea of people and exchange vows, he would do it if it would make Donovan happy.
He would hate every second. But he would do it.
Thirty minutes later, Tate was walking into the glass and metal building that housed M-J Architecture & Interiors. He’d only been there once before, and that was on a weekend when they were closed. Tate had been curious and Donovan offered to show him where he worked.
But it wasn’t a weekend, and the place wasn’t empty the way it had been that day.
He was greeted by a chipper young woman sitting at a glass-top desk.
“Good morning. Welcome to M-J Architecture and Interiors.” She flashed a smile. “Do you have an appointment?”
Tate shook his head. “I’m here to see Donovan.”
She reached for the phone. “And you are?”
“Umm … Tate.”
Her eyebrow lifted, and he could tell she was waiting for his last name.
“Tate Riggs.”
Her smile wasn’t quite as brilliant, but she pressed a button on the phone and held the receiver to her ear.
“Mr. Jameson. There’s a Mr. Riggs here to see you. He said he doesn’t have an—”
Tate couldn’t hear what was being said on the other end of the line, but the woman’s eyes rounded and she was nodding incessantly despite the fact Donovan couldn’t see her.
“Yes, sir,” she said quickly before hanging up the phone and looking at him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize who you were.”
“Don’t apologize. How could you?”
Another smile, this one not quite as uneasy as the last. “Please. Go on back. Mr. Jameson’s in his office.”
“Thanks.”
M-J Architecture & Interiors wasn’t as big as Tate had imagined it would be, but it was designed in a way that made it feel huge. Probably had something to do with the fact it was surrounded by walls of tinted glass. Beyond the front reception area, it was completely open on the main floor. Dark, glossy concrete was the base that balanced out the stark white of the steel supporting the second-floor loft space where Donovan and Brady worked. The large staircase was the centerpiece that separated a lounge area surrounded by several desks, most of which were occupied.
Tate made a beeline for the stairs and slowed himself down as he went up.
The second floor contained drafting tables, a large conference area, and two glass-enclosed offices along the back wall. Brady was perched on a stool at one of the drafting tables. He lifted his head as Tate approached.
“Hey, Tate. What’s up, man?”
“Hey.” Tate felt awkward being there, but he managed a smile.
