Page 122 of Vegas with my Brother’s Best Friends

“Kind of like engaged life with more benefits,” Ryan replies with a chuckle. “I’ve been working a little more lately.”

“Making up for all the money you spent on the wedding and honeymoon?” Tyler teases him.

“Saving up for the day we decide to start our own family,” Ryan says, making Cassidy gasp.

“Really?” she asks as she sits next to me, her eyes full of awe.

“We’re still taking time to enjoy a quiet, less hectic married life, but we definitely want kids sometime,” Sarah replies as she shares a warm look with her husband. “Seeing you guys so happy and excited for your baby to arrive made us do a lot of thinking and talking.”

“We won’t be too far behind you guys,” Ryan explains.

“Cheers to that,” I say as I lift up my glass of wine.

Everyone else does the same, Cassidy following suit with her glass of sparkling water.

“Any next steps for you guys?” Sarah asks as she raises her eyebrow at us.

Cassidy clears her throat and flashes her a warning look.

“Well, the baby will be here in a few months, and that’ll be a big next step,” Jackson replies with a light laugh.

“How long have you guys and Cassidy been together?” Sarah asks.

Cassidy’s eyes widen.

“Officially or…” Tyler trails off.

“Anyway,” Cassidy says in a louder voice. “How’s the food? I tried a new recipe with the pot roast.”

I lift my eyebrow at Jackson and Tyler, wondering if they’re thinking the same thing. They subtly smile and nod. We’ve been talking among ourselves about what Sarah is hinting at.

We don’t want Cassidy to just be our girlfriend forever, but our situation is a little more complicated than typical relationships with just two people in them.

“It’s really good,” Ryan says. “Now, you’re a better cook than I am.”

“You made really good grilled cheese sandwiches and macaroni and cheese,” Cassidy assures him.

“From a box,” Ryan replies.

Cassidy shrugs. “Still good.”

The conversation jumps from topic to topic, and Sarah lets go of trying to talk about future plans.

“Heard anything about Derek?” Jackson asks Ryan.

Ryan scoffs. “I heard he’s been through multiple relationships since the wedding. He tried calling me for weeks after I told him to get lost. I never should’ve been friends with him in the first place.”

“He was good at hiding who he truly was,” Cassidy replies before rubbing the top of my hand as it rests on the table. “I’m just glad I’m with the right guys now.”

I turn my hand over to hold hers, our eyes meeting. “You’re stuck with us now.”

Cassidy laughs. “I have no problem with that.”

I squeeze her hand before glancing at Ryan, seeing a small smile on his face. The awkwardness between him and us died out pretty quickly, especially when he saw how happy we are together.

I’m sure it’s hard for him to be against anything that makes his sister so joyful and peaceful.

Finally, she has actually started relaxing. She has been scaling her work back a little to lower her stress levels and prepare for the baby to arrive. Whenever she’s ready, she can dive back into full time work.