Page 115 of Game Change

“Oh, wow,” Amira says. She fans her face. “That’s so romantic.” Then she huffs. “I wish I had a boyfriend.” She smiles wistfully before the smile gets wiped off her face. “I don’t mean to make this about me. Go on, Brynne.” She blushes.

“Mimi, you’re going to find a man who sees and appreciates you. Awkwardness and all,” Raven says. “Because that shit makes you special. I love that about you.” Raven squeezes her hand, and I do the same.

“Thanks, but I want to hear more from Brynne.”

“Okay, then I got mad and told him I don’t want his family thinking I’m a gold digger. Then he said he didn’t give a shit what they thought, and since neither one of them can make a relationship work, he won’t be taking any advice from them.”

“Well, damn,” Raven says.

“Then I started to promise him that if we ever divorced, I wouldn’t take him to the cleaners. His face turned red, and he slammed his hand on the table and then stormed off. He came back about a minute later and apologized for hitting the table, but he wasn’t going to change his mind about the prenup.”

“I hope you dropped it,” Raven says. “Marry that man. Let him love you and take care of you. You deserve it. Make a family with him. Life is short. Live it to the fullest. He loves you, Brynne.” Raven puts her hand on mine, and Amira nods in agreement.

“I know. I love him, too. And he’s added me to all his accounts, gave me a credit card, and told me to buy all the leather pants and stiletto boots I want,” I whisper, still shocked by it all.

“You can start by paying for lunch,” Amira says, and Raven gives her a fist bump. “I want crabcakes.”

“Have whatever you want.” The server returns, and we order three appetizers and three entrees. “Have you ever been so happy that it makes you anxious?” I ask my friends. “It’s like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. I just know something bad is gonna happen because when have I ever had it this good?”

Raven nods. “What’s going on with Oliver?” she asks.

“I haven’t heard from his mother in months. It’s much too quiet. I’m scared.” I haven’t voiced that out loud recently. When I expressed those sentiments to Colin a few weeks ago, he pulled me into his arms and promised never to let anything happen to me. I remember resting my head on his chest while he held me, and I’d never felt so safe or protected in my life.

“I hope they put his ass behind bars where he belongs,” Raven says.

“Don’t forget I have my final fitting next Saturday,” I tell my friends, wanting to change the subject. “I’m so nervous.” My dress is custom-made. It’s sleeveless, fits my body like a glove, and has a long, flowy train that trails behind me. I initially didn’t want a veil, but when Raven asked the seamstress to try one on me, I fell in love with it.

“So, tell me, what’s been going on? You two have dates for the wedding yet?” Colin the First is flying and hosting any attendees at the resort. Ernestine is the most excited about it. My fiancé was initially upset by his brother’s involvement, but he promised Lisa and me that he wouldn’t argue with his brother about it.

“I wish,” Amira says. She blows upward and her bangs bounce.

“Hell no,” Raven says. “I’m going to see you get married and spend time with my girl.” She gestures at Amira.

“Look.” Amira points toward the hostess. Colin, Ian, Brody, and Malcolm are there. On Ian’s arm is Makayla, and next to her is her sister Tabby. Makayla sees us and waves before leaving Ian’s side and coming to our table.

The hostess leads the guys to the table next to ours.

“Um, Colin, what are you doing here?” I ask my fiancé. He bends down and kisses my forehead before he asks the hostess to put our tables together.

“When you made plans with the girls, I made plans with these guys, but Ian can’t say no to his wife.”

I notice Malcolm rolling his eyes.

“He invited me,” Makayla says.

“Who invites their wife to hang out with the guys?” Brody asks.

“Killah chose this restaurant,” Ian says. “Why do you think he did that?”

“Oh, shut up,” Colin says. “And since Tabby has Malcolm wrapped around her little finger, she crashed, too. I hope you don’t mind.” He grins, knowing I don’t.

Suddenly so happy to see him, I hop out of my seat and hug him. He pulls me in close and gives me a chaste kiss.

“I love you,” I whisper.

Chapter 61

Colin

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