Page 59 of Full Throttle

Charly chuckled. “Yes, she will. What time are you heading to the bar to decorate it?”

“About three.”

“Great. Maxx will stay with the kids, and I’ll meet you there. Stefano’s sister is coming to babysit all the kids tonight so we can all be there.”

I laughed. “That’s a handful.”

“I know. But she insisted. Gabby says she’s bringing her eldest daughter, who loves kids, so they’ll be fine. I told them I’d have my cell on in case. And Mama Rosa would leave the party and help if needed,” Charly added.

“Good plan.”

“I’m not missing my boy getting engaged,” she added. “And Brett is flying home to be there. It’s going to be an epic party.”

I had to agree. Only a few of us knew about Brett flying in. Even fewer knew the reason he was coming. Chase was playing his cards close to his chest about the engagement. Charly was his closest ally, and she was in on the secret. To say she was thrilled with the way his life was going was an understatement. She loved Chase as if he were her own. She was his friend, pseudo-mother, and most trusted adviser wrapped up in a blunt, ferocious, tiny, redheaded package.

Charly left with a wave, and I looped my arm around Cherry. “Got everything you needed?”

“Yes. All the decorations and balloons, the cake, everything on Chase’s list.”

“He’s going all out.”

She smiled softly. “He loves her a lot.”

I pulled her close. “I love you.”

She kissed me. “I know.”

“When you gonna marry me?”

Cherry rolled her eyes. “You only asked me a couple of weeks ago. How about we move, you get to know your son, then we’ll talk about a date?”

“You want a big wedding?”

“No, that’s for Hannah. I’d be happy with just us, a few friends, and a nice dinner.”

“What about a honeymoon?”

She pursed her lips. “I’d rather spend the time at the house.”

“A night in a fancy hotel first?” I asked. “Somewhere with a big tub where I can ravish you?”

Cherry laughed. “I could be persuaded.”

I winked at her. “Prepare yourself then, woman.”

She wrapped her arms around my neck. “Okay, then.”

We danced together, Cherry beaming in delight. The party had gone well, Hannah surprised and overwhelmed. Chase’s proposal had been heartfelt and romantic, and everyone had applauded loudly. He had been shocked and thrilled when Brett and Kelly had shown up. The evening had been a success.

“Mother and daughter engaged a few weeks apart,” I murmured. “Not a usual occurrence.”

Cherry laughed, her fingers tightening on my waist. “I suppose not.”

“And engaged to friends.”

She looked around the room, smiling at all the familiar faces. “I feel as if I got a new family,” she admitted. “They’re an amazing group.”

I had to agree. “Charly encourages that atmosphere. I think it’s astonishing.” I bent and kissed her mouth. “If someone had told me a year ago I’d be holding the love of my life, getting married, and being given a new family, as well the chance to rebuild my relationship with Josh, I would never have believed them.”