Page 218 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 8
I picked him up and balanced him on my hip while holding Chloe in my other arm. “We can definitely go to the next world cup. Does that sound good?”
“Yessie.”
“Ahem,” said Nigel.
“I meant oui,” said Jacob.
I smiled. I wasn’t sure when it happened exactly, but I was starting to picture my own little family. With Ash. I loved my grandchildren, but I was ready to have some of my own. And at this rate, it might be happening sooner than I originally hoped.
***
We all sat down at the dining room table. But there was an empty spot next to me where Ash was supposed to be. She should have been home hours ago. But...she wasn’t here. Andshe wasn’t answering my texts. We had to eat before the food got cold.
I slowly stood up and raised my glass. The Caldwells and Hunters were all here with their kids and their parents. It was almost an exact replica of Matt and Brooklyn’s rehearsal dinner last year. Although, I hoped some things wouldn’t be replicated. This was a brand new table. And I rather liked it.
“Here’s to another wonderful Thanksgiving together with family and friends. I appreciate you giving me another chance to host after last year...”
Brooklyn laughed. “The most memorable rehearsal dinner ever. We’ll never forget it. Thank you, Tanner.”
I smiled.
“I mean...it was memorable because of me,” said Rob.
Brooklyn swatted his arm.
I laughed. “Yes it was. One of the best pranks I’ve seen in my lifetime. And I’ve seen quite a few.”
Rob stared at me. He didn’t seem to know how to react to the complement.
“But I’d rather not let this table sink into the floor like the Titanic.” I giggled. The Titanic. I’d known it was a floating death trap from the second I saw the design back in the early 1900s. So I made it look like I was planning on going on the maiden voyage. And those silly DODO bastards fell for it. They got on,and they never got off. I felt bad for everyone else who died on that ill-fated voyage. But not DODO. And it also made me giggle thinking of Mr. Pruitt crying to the movie.
Mr. Pruitt gave me a weird look. Like he knew that I knew his secret.
I much preferred knowing other people’s secrets instead of them knowing mine. I glanced at Rob.
He smiled at me. In that weird way again.
Stop it, Young Robert!I cleared my throat. “And we’re also celebrating the first anniversary for two of my favorite people in the world.” I nodded at Matt and Brooklyn.
“Thanks, man.” Matt put his arm around Brooklyn.
“You two are truly an inspiration...”
“Abuelo, can we eat now?” asked Jacob from the kids table across the room.
I laughed. “Yes. Let’s eat up. Here’s to a wonderful year behind us and another wonderful year to come.” I lifted my glass.
Everyone tapped glasses. I smiled as Jacob tapped his cup of juice against Scarlett’s.
I was just about to sit down when Ash ran into the dining room. Her face was flushed.
“I’m so sorry I’m late. It took forever for me to get a taxi with the Thanksgiving traffic. So by the time I got one, I needed to go back to my place to change because I knew people would already be here. Ah there’s adults here! I didn’t mean that. Tanner and I aren’t living together. That would be...sinful. And we’re not sinful. Is anyone Catholic here? I feel like someone is, no? Don’t answer that. I think we should maybe turn on the AC. Is it hot or is it just me? Just me? Great. I think I’m overheated because I was running late because...of...things...and...” She stopped talking and just stared at everyone like a deer in headlights.
I walked over to her and grabbed her hand. “Hey,” I whispered.
“Hey.” She looked up at me.
“Did you just come from the hallway?” asked Rob. “Have you been here the whole time?”
