Page 50 of Pull
I feel like I could shed tears of joy, but I won’t because that’d be embarrassing. But still…
“My mom, Alec and Kayla,” I squeeze him tighter. “I’m drowning in my love for you right now.”
Ben chuckles, “I’ll give you mouth to mouth.” Jess and I both laugh. “Happy anniversary, my loves.”
“Happy anniversary,” we tell him in unison, the three of us swooning together like a bunch of cornballs.
“Marrying you two changed my entire life,” I breathe, pulling back to look at them. “Love doesn’t even begin to cover it.”
Jess pouts, grabbing my face and kissing me softly. When we part, I grab Ben’s jaw and haul him to my lips, because I just need him.
When we finally pry ourselves apart, our guests are all waiting anxiously to greet us. And the gang really is all here. Jess’s sister, Marie, and her husband, Greg. Ben and Jess’s best friends, Bill and Rachel, Ben’s brother, Jacob, his wife, Laura, and their twin girls.
My mom rushes us, giving me the giant, most suffocating hug ever. But honestly, it’s so great to see her again. I can’t believe she flew out from Colorado just for this party. Last time I saw her was almost a year ago, before Ethan was born.
“Oh my sweet darling boy,” she breathes into the crook of my neck, her voice shaky with emotion. “I’m so happy to see you. And tofinallymeet that beautiful son of yours!”
My grin is wide with overwhelming emotion. “So you met Ethan?”
“I did! He’s just perfect, sweetheart. Congratulations on this wonderful life you’ve built here with your new family.” She pulls back and holds me at arm’s length, eyes darting to Ben. I peek at him and he winks. “You have a great man, planning all of this and flying me out.”
My eyes widen. “Ben flew you out?” I gawk at him again, and it seriously looks like there are hearts floating around his head.
“He did. He’s perfect, baby. Just perfect.” My mom pushes my hair back with her fingers. “And so is your beautiful wife!”
She leaves me to hug Jess for way too long, immediately launching into the baby conversation. I give Jess an apologetic look, but she brushes it off. I imagine she’ll be stuck with Mom for a while, but Jessisperfect and sweet and adoring. I’ve been very fortunate.
My mother got along with Ben and Jess right away, the first time they met, and she always asks to speak with them on the phone when we talk. It’s actually adorable.
But while Jess has Mom occupied, I dart over to my best friend, grabbing Alec and practically jumping on him. “I missed you so much!”
Alec laughs, embracing me just as hard. “Missed you too, Ry.”
“Yea, we were so bummed we couldn’t see you for Pride, but we knew we’d see you this weekend anyway,” Kayla adds, and I go in for a huge hug from her next.
“So I guess Ben’s been planning this for a while,” I pull back, dazed, raking my fingers through my hair.
“Affirmative.” Alec nods, folding his large tattooed arms over his chest. “He called us almost a month ago.”
“You’re very lucky, Ry-bear,” Kayla grins.
“Oh my God, dude, we get it! Ben’s hot,” Alec teases, rolling his eyes.
“He is, though,” I smirk at Kayla while wiggling my brows. “Come on. Let’s go get a drink and you can tell me all about your trip to Vegas. I think I spy a bar set up over there.”
“Oh yes, there is a bar, and there are some very interesting specialty cocktails,” Alec grins.
My brows zip together, glancing at the bar, only to find people walking away with the penis drinks from Pride. Or at least something shockingly similar.
I burst out laughing, turning to Ben. He shrugs while inching closer to me.
“I couldn’t resist,” he takes my hand. “They were surprisingly delicious.”
“Pervert.” I lace our fingers.
“You know it.”
I look around for a moment. “Hailey?”
