Page 91 of Memories By the Shore
“When are you going to tell Duke and Helen?” Riley pants as soon as he reaches us. His eyes bounced between Jasper and me, directing the question at us both.
Jasper turns to look at me before answering. “Now?”
My heart rate quickly escalates. Helen is not like either of my parents, and I am eighteen now, which makes me an adult. I can make my own decisions.But why is my initial reaction fear and judgment when it should be the comfort of knowing Helen is not like my parents?She’s kind and understanding and wants to support me.Old habits die hard, I guess?
I smile at mynow-husband with confidence. “I think it can wait until morning. I’d like to spend the night with my husband.”
Jasper’s face brightens even more than it already is. “Your husband,” he repeats my words. “I like hearing that.”
My stomach flutters. “I like saying it.”
“So, where are you guys going tonight?” Easton suddenly comes to our side, bringing up an obvious question.
Seems like Jasper and the guys had everything planned, from the proposal on the beach to Riley’s brother at the courthouse, but they completely forgot about theactualwedding night.
“Okay, enough.” Bodhi sneers. “You two will have all night to bang.”
“Not if they don’t have anywhere to stay,” Easton quips.
“I thought you had everything planned, Jasper?” Bodhi bites, cocking his head to the side.
Jasper shoots him a few daggers. “I just got married. Can’t you lay off me for one night?”
He pauses and gazes, angled upward like he’s considering Jasper’s question. “Nope.”
I chuckle, enjoying the banter between them. The friends and family I’m only now experiencing. I get to share them with Jasper and I couldn’t be happier.
A beat passes before Jasper turns his attention back to me. “How about the beach house?”
“The beach house?” I ask, knowing there’s not a single piece of furniture in that place.“Yeah.” Jasper smiles, his gaze falling to my lips and returning to meet my eyes. “I still have the floor bed and blankets from when we were there for your birthday.”
I grin. “Sounds like a plan.”
“That’s great. Now we have you two figured out, can we talk about food? I’m fucking starving,” Bodhi complains, crumpling his shirt, showing off his toned stomach. “I need some grub soon.”
Listening to Bodhi mention food causes my stomach to growl. “I could go for something to eat too.”
Easton raises his eyebrows. “Wedding night dinner at the burger shack?”
“Yes, Jasper, let’s get some big-ass greasy burgers,” Riley yells, slapping Jasper’s shoulders.
Jasper turns to me with his top lip quirked up. “You want a burger to eat on our wedding night?”
I shrug my shoulders, smiling. “Honestly, double decker sounds good right now.”
Jasper’s eyes widen. “This is why I married you.”
“Because I’m cool.”
“Ehh.” Jasper’s eyes lower. “A little bit.”
I scrunch my nose. “I am.”
“That’s a stretch, Arizona,” Riley adds playfully.
Easton shoves me. “Nah, you’re cool.”
“Tolerable at best,” Bodhi comments with a smirk.
