Page 52 of Keeping Promises

“I guess we’re dating.” We never actually talked officially about what we are.

“Good for you, man. I don’t think I ever said it, but you guys are good for each other. She brings out a different side of you.”

“Thanks, I think?”

“No, it’s a good thing. I promise. Any idea what you plan to do for a first date?”

I shake my head. “Not a fucking clue. This is all new territory for me. Usually, I would wine and dine a chick, fuck her, and then be on my way. But it’s different with her. I want it to be different. I just need to think about something special.”

“I’m more than happy to put you in touch with the girl I’ve dealt with at the winery.”

I purse my lips together and look at him. “Yeah, taking a pregnant girl to a winery sounds like a good way to end up on her shit list.”

“Good point.”

We enter the kitchen to find Cal already diving in on his lunch. “I’m not sorry for waiting. I’m fucking starving.”

Ben and I join him at the counter.

“So you and Hadley, huh?” I can tell by his playful smirk if he is fishing for information or bragging that he knows something.

“Well, that was fucking fast.”

“Yeah, well, you should know by now with that trio, there are very few secrets, and I’m an honorary infinity girl, so I get to be in the know, too.”

Ben snorts beside me. “Infinity girl?”

“Yeah, I started calling them that after they got their infinity tattoos.” He points to his wrist where his skin may be empty, but I know all three girls have matching tattoos of an infinity symbol. Hadley’s is bright green, Lexi’s is purple, and I’m pretty sure Brynn’s is blue.”

“Okay, one, please never refer to yourself like that again, or I’m revoking your man card, and you will no longer be an ‘honorary one.’ And two, how did you find out so fast? You were gone, what, forty minutes?”

Cal brings his fist to his mouth while he finishes his bite of food. “I was checking in with Brynn on the walk over, and it seems the girls have been gossiping at the boutique, and Hadley filled them in on the latest update. For the record, I’m happy for the two of you. Even though I started out not liking you, you’re a good guy, and you make her happy. You can’t help who you fall for.”

“Thanks. I really care about her a lot.” And I do. I could even see myself falling hard for her. I’ve never been in love, but if that’s what I’m feeling, it can’t be that bad.

His expression shifts, and I wonder if he’s talking about his own experience. I know he and Brynn have an odd relationship, but I never push the topic. We don’t have that type of relationship. He steadies his features and claps his hands together. “I think that’s enough heavy talk for one day. Now to more important things—let’s talk bachelor party.”

Ben groans, gathering his trash and crumbling it into a ball. “I think I’ll let you two chat, and I’ll get back to work.” Typical Ben, all work and no play. That’s not true, at least not anymore. Lexi brings out a more playful side of him, and his sole focus isn’t working all the time.

Ben hasn’t expressed any excitement whenever we’ve brought up his bachelor party, so Cal and I have our work cut out to plan something that he will agree on doing. My brother has never been the strip club type; maybe that has to do with him growing up so fast, but then again, I can’t ever recall a time where that was his thing.

“When you were talking to Brynn, did she give any sort of idea on how long they would be out for?”

He shakes his head. “Nah, but I do know they were going to grab some food after they finished. So that buys us a little bit more time.”

We decide to table the bachelor planning conversation for another time because we only have so much time left before Hadley returns home, and I want to finish this up before she does. I can’t wait to see the look on her face.

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