Page 187 of Forever

“That’s not what I said.” Tanner stared at him.

Nigel shrugged. “But it’s what you meant.”

“I wasn’t calling our friends paupers,” Tanner said.

“But you’re saying they’re all destitute.”

“No,” Tanner said firmly. “I didn’t mean that.”

“But you said…”

“Hush, child,” Tanner said. “Let’s help the photographer more.” He walked away before I could question him or pester him to be in the pictures again.

I couldn’t help but laugh. Why had Tanner called Nigel a child? Nigel was a grown man. Well, mostly. He did look awfully young actually. “How old is Nigel?” I asked Matt.

“I have no idea,” he said. “A little younger than Tanner?”

“Huh.” The more I looked at him, the more I thought he could pass for a teenager. He just had this young suave look about him.

Tanner kept giving us instructions, the photographer snapping away.

Soon my cheeks actually hurt from smiling so hard. And I started to shiver.

This time I didn’t protest when Matt took off his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders.

“Do you think that’s enough pictures?” Matt asked me.

I knew he wanted this to be perfect for me. But honestly, all I wanted to do was kick off my heels and curl up in front of a warm fire with him. And there was a fireplace in the restaurant…

“I think that’s plenty.”

“Thank fuck,” Rob said. “I’m freezing.” He looped his arm through mine and pulled me away from Matt.

“What are you doing?” I asked. I tried to look at Matt over my shoulder, but Rob kept guiding me farther away.

“Escorting you inside. And taking a moment to congratulate you.”

“Well, thank you.”

“And Daphne said I need to apologize for last night. I didn’t know anything would be set on fire. So I am sorry it got a little dangerous. But the rest worked, right? You’ll always remember that prank and forget about the one from 16 years ago?”

I smiled up at him. “Yes, Rob. I’ll always remember last night instead.”

“Good. So I thought now might be a good time to talk about our next prank…”

“Rob,” I groaned.

“I like when you say my name like that.”

I slapped his arm.

“I like that too, Sanders.”

I gave him a hard stare. “Caldwell.”

“No fucking way. That’s what I call Matt or Mason when they’re being dicks. You’ll always be Sanders to me.”

I smiled. I actually loved that nickname.

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