Page 47 of The Wedding Toast
“Apparently.I found it hard to believe too.I don’t think Reaves knows any children.I was a little concerned when your mom said that she’d sent him to keep an eye on Zia while everyone else was busy.But it seems the two of them hit it off in a big way.”
Becca smiled.“Do you know what she named him?”
“Prince Daddy, apparently.And Ollie made me laugh – he said that Reaves isn’t as upset about the name as he should be.”
Becca looked more thoughtful as she asked, “And has he met Alara yet?”
“I don’t think so – why?”
“It’s probably nothing, but if part of Zia’s name for him is Daddy, it makes me wonder if Reaves is just as taken with her mom as he is with her.”
“Hm.Maybe so.But as far as I know, he hasn’t met Alara – it’s only about the girl.But I could be wrong.”
“We’ll find out soon enough, I suppose.Although maybe we could help them on their way – do you know what Reaves is doing on Saturday morning?”
“He’ll be free by then – all the pilots will.What are you scheming about, Queen Cornflower?”
She laughed.“Tell me if I’m crazy, but I was thinking we could ask Reaves to watch Zia on Saturday morning.Everyone else is going to be crazy busy – including Alara.I just don’t like the idea of Zia not having anyone keeping an eye on her.It’ll be so busy around here – there’ll be strangers and …”
Jacob leaned in to press a peck to her lips.“Then we’ll ask him.You’re right – someone needs to be looking out for her.Although, we should introduce Alara to him first – make sure that she doesn’t mind.”
Becca nodded happily.“If you talk to him about it tonight, I’ll … oh wait.”She made a face at him.“I can’t take him down to see her tomorrow, can I – since she’s out at the garage?”
He ran his hand over her hair.“I’d rather you didn’t.And don’t look like that – before the weekend’s over, you’ll know what my secret is.”
“Aww.”She rested her cheek on his shoulder.“Whatever it is, I know I’ll love it.Thank you.”
He crushed her to his chest.Every day she said or did some little thing that reminded him why he’d fallen so hard, so fast, and so completely for her.She genuinely appreciated whatever he did for her.Most importantly, she loved him for who he was.He didn’t need to guess; he could see it in her eyes, feel it in every aww she uttered, and every poke in the ribs.
He pressed a kiss to her temple.“Thank you.”
She looked up into his eyes.“What for?”
“For being you, for loving me.”He chuckled.“For saying yes to becoming my wife – and that reminds me, we have people waiting to celebrate with us.We’d better get going.”
“Oh my goodness.We had!I hope you have fun.I know I will.”She pressed her lips to his.“But I hope it’s not too late by the time you come pick me up.”
“It won’t be,” he assured her.He was looking forward to his evening with Bentley and the guys, but getting back here with her later would be in the back of his mind the whole time.
Chapter Twelve
When the cab pulled up in front of Molly’s restaurant, Becca laughed when Callie tried to pay the driver.
Callie rolled her eyes at her when the driver declined.Of course, Jacob had already taken care of it – and of all the girls’ rides here, too.
“I know it takes some getting used to,” Becca told her when they got out.“But it’s just Jacob’s way.He’s used to taking care of details.”She shrugged.
“I get it,” said Callie.“I’m just not used to it.”She peered in through the window.“Holy crap!Is that big crowd here for you?”
“No, it’s just the girls and …” Becca looked inside and had to smile.“You know what?We’re both right.I was going to say that it’s just the girls, but it kind of is a crowd, isn’t it?”
Callie nodded happily.“Yeah, I love it for you, Becs.Love that you’ve made so many friends here.And half of them are family now too – or they will be after Saturday.Remind me again before we go in.Hannah’s Jacob’s sister, and Tori’s with Xander, his brother.Willow is Tori’s sister – and she and Slade live on the estate.So, they’re all pretty much family.”
“They are.The ones you haven’t met yet are Chelsea and Piper – they’re sisters-in-law.Piper’s married to Chelsea’s brother Cameron.And Laura is married to their older brother Smoke, who …”
Callie laughed and waved a hand at her.“You know what?Let’s just go in.There’s no point in giving me a whole long list; I won’t remember them all and how they’re connected or related.It’ll be easier to just talk to everyone and figure it out as I go.”
“You’re right.That’s how I had to figure them all out.”When they reached the door, she met Callie’s gaze before they went inside.“I wish you’d move closer, you know.Then they’d all become your friends too.”
