Page 127 of The Fighter
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?”
“I’m telling you now.”
Boulder pushed his plate away. “It sounded more like Khan was telling me, so I guess that means he knew before I did.”
Khan patted Boulder’s back. “Don’t worry about it, my friend. I only found out yesterday when I pressed Leo.”
Christina raised her glass and sucking in a deep breath, she spoke on the exhalation. “And here I thought you were just bringing home your boss. Leo, forgive us for our reaction, but Raven truly surprised us, that’s all. We’re excited to get to know you better.”
Boulder narrowed his eyes. “How old are you, Leo?”
“Dad.” Raven bulged her eyes out, looking embarrassed.
“I’m thirty-one, sir.”
“That’s ten years older than Raven.”
“So what, Dad? You were all excited about him fighting for Mila and she’s a year younger than me.”
“No, I’m just saying that there’s a big age difference. How did this happen?”
Pearl leaned in. “Yes, I’m curious too. When did you fall in love?”
Raven and I smiled at each other. “I don’t think any man can look at Raven and not see her beauty, but for me, it’s her humor and personality that makes her irresistible.”
“Irresistible, huh?” Boulder raised his chin and frowned at me before looking at Raven. “And you’re sure about this, honey? Marriage is a life-long commitment.”
Her tone was sarcastic. “Am I sure? No, I’m only doing it because I’m forced. Oh, no, wait…” Raven placed a hand in front of her mouth. “That was Mom.”
Khan and Boulder groaned. “How many times do we have to hear about that? Things were different then.”
“It was the scariest time of my life.” Christina still had her glass raised as if waiting for us to join her in a toast.
“You got close to marrying Archer,” Mila said with a smile. “Imagine how different everything would have been if you’d married him instead of Alexander.”
Christina grinned. “Yeah, there have been days when I’ve wondered the same thing, but then I speak to Kya and hear her complain about Archer doing some of the same absurd things that drive me crazy in my marriage, and I’m good.”
Boulder picked up his glass of beer. “Archer was nothing but a boy compared to me. He wouldn’t have been able to handle you.”
We all laughed at that comment and Khan elbowed Boulder. “Have you met Kya? If Archer can handle her, I think he would have been man enough to handle Christina too.”
Boulder clearly didn’t like any talk about Christina with a different man, and scratching his neck he muttered, “Am I to understand that you two are really getting married? You sure it’s not just a stupid prank?”
“It’s no prank,” I assured him. “We’re getting married as soon as possible.”
Christina planted her elbow on the table and used her free hand to support the one that was still reaching out with her glass. “Are you people going to toast with me or not?”
When we all clinked glasses, Christina smiled widely. “To my daughter and her lucky groom.”
After emptying my glass of beer, I set down the glass and saw Pearl reach over the table to place her hand on top of Raven’s. “Of all the women I know, I would have thought you’d be the last one to rush into marriage. You’ve only really known him for a few months, haven’t you?”
Raven’s eyes were soft when she smiled at me. “Leo and I met when he came to the Gray Manor with all the Motlander artists last August. It’s been a little over a year.”
Pearl’s thumb stroked across Raven’s hand. “Don’t feel pressured, sweetheart; the Nmen can be persistent when they pursue a woman, but you don’t need to marry to be together.”
Pearl’s words made me nervous. I didn’t want her to create doubt in Raven’s mind, but my woman answered in a clear and confident manner. “I get that, but marriage means a lot to Leo, and that makes it important to me too.” Raven squeezed my hand and gave me a warm smile that made my spine tingle.
