Page 115 of Tanner

“What? He’s fucking adorable.” Bryce grabs Tessa’s hand and kisses her palm.

We all sit and talk, getting to know each other. As Bryce’s assistant at Sexton Media, Jalynn has colorful stories to tell. She tells a hilarious story about how Bryce courted Tessa. When Bryce found out Tessa worked at a salon, he had Jalynn make an appointment for him, so he could see her again. He thought she was a hairdresser or masseuse. Turns out, she’s a makeup artist, and she completely did his face up, eye shadow and all.

“Hey, in my defense, I had no idea what I was coming in for.” Bryce holds up his hand.

“I tried to warn you, but you wouldn’t listen,” Jalynn defends. “You do look good in blush though. Brings out those high cheekbones.”

We laugh, we drink, and we tell stories. Tanner comes down and grabs a beer. The brothers have plenty to tell of their days at the lake house. Bryce was chubby, Austin’s a troublemaker, and Tanner has forever been the perfect one. I’m not surprised.

Their dynamic together lifts my spirits. After meeting Edward and Missy, I was worried Tanner didn’t know what it was like to have a normal family. Now, I have no doubts. More importantly, I feel like I fit in with this crazy, dysfunctional family, and I love it.

I just wish meeting them and announcing our marriage were the only reasons we were here.

26

TANNER

Seeing Harper sitting with my brothers brings me so much joy. I wish I were only here to introduce them and celebrate our wedding. Unfortunately, we have more important things to discuss.

Tessa comes down from putting her son to bed. He’s a cute kid who thinks my brother is Superman and calls Austin Batman because of his love for the Batmobile. The table conversation was fun and light, but now that his innocent ears are asleep, it’s time for the adults to talk.

Harper notices my change in posture. I ask Bryce if he has scotch and to bring over a few glasses. We’re gonna need it. Too bad he thinks I want it for a toast.

“So, fill us in. When did you guys get married?” Bryce asks, pouring the glasses. He serves Tessa first.

“Three days ago.” I smile, wrapping my arm around Harper, who still looks gorgeous despite the fact that it’s three hours ahead in New York. We should be long asleep. “She knocked me off my feet, and I didn’t want to spend another day without her by my side.”

When I glance up after placing a kiss on Harper’s forehead, both Austin and Bryce are looking at their girlfriends. Part of me wishes I had been here these past few months to see the evolution of two men who had sworn off love but actually found it in the most powerful ways.

FaceTime and phone calls aren’t enough to understand how they feel about these women. Bryce’s hand curls around Tessa’s, and Jalynn lovingly rests her head on Austin’s shoulder. I get the feeling the idea of marriage has been rolling around in their heads as well.

“I wish you had told us. We would have been on the first flight there,” Bryce says.

“Before or after you told me not to do it?” I raise a glass to my lips and wait for their responses. When they don’t give one, I down my drink.

“It’s not like that, baby bro. We don’t know Harper. How could we know if she was using you or not?” Austin says and then looks my way. “Sorry. Shit. Should we be having this conversation in the other room?”

“Anything you have to say can be said in front of my wife. Whether you like it or not, this is legal and final. She’s prepared to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly that comes with being in this family,” I say, and Harper gives me a reassuring nod as she rubs my thigh. “My entire life, you have told me what to do. You treat me like the baby.”

“That’s because you are,” Austin says.

“I’ve always held you to the highest caliber. I think you’re smarter than this fool.” Bryce motions toward Austin, who raises his own glass.

“It’s true. He throws it in my face on a daily basis, how he can’t wait for you to come to work so that he can have real talent beside him.” Austin shoots his drink back.

I look back at Bryce in surprise. He’s always been supportive of my schooling, and he tells me about the business. I just never thought he was actually listening.

“Harper, you’re going to love San Francisco,” Jalynn exclaims.

Harper’s hand pauses on my thigh.

I answer for her, “We haven’t discussed logistics yet. Harper is a fifth grade teacher, so she can’t leave New York until June.” I lift the bottle and refill my and Austin’s glasses. “There are a few things we need to talk about, but it will all work out. There’s something else we need to discuss first.”

“It’s a bummer we missed it. I’ve always wanted to go to New York. We would have come,” Tessa says.

“We planned the wedding in twenty-four hours, so it wouldn’t have been much notice even if you did want to come,” I reply.

Bryce wraps his arms around Tessa. “We’ll go to New York soon. Maybe a weekend at The Carlyle Hotel.”