“Oh, your dad wants us all to have lunch together.” I murmur in her ear.
“Can’t wait.” She snorts and turns. “I’m tired of being asked who and when I’m going to marry. When I’m popping out a baby and who with. Over it. We haven’t even been together a year! It’s so premature.”
“Some of us are older.” Roman chuckles.
“And others are very used.” Gunner winks at her.
Holden doesn’t say anything. I know he’s happy with things as they are. I am too … mostly. I can already see another battle starting between Gunner and Roman over the marriage thing. Maybe a fight between me and Roman over who gives her a baby. But Sophie’s right. It can wait. As long as we are happy. As long as we know it’s right, does anything else matter?
We eat together, then lounge around. Sophie lays with her head on my lap and her legs across Gunner. He’s been extra sweet with her tonight and I swear something shifted between them. He’s not constantly cracking jokes.
He rubs the outside of her knee and I play with her hair. Holden grins. “I think this is the first wedding we’ve gotten through without getting shitfaced.”
“First for me.” Gunner agrees. “I think I like this way better. A lot less vomit.”
“It was nice having a date that actually cared about more than cameras.” Roman agrees. “Felt much … more real.”
“It’s the first time I’ve ever had a date to a wedding and I was lucky enough to have the sexiest four men possible.” Sophie grins. “And no fighting. Mom didn’t make too much of a mess.”
“Oh?”
“Roman and Gunner did that plenty.” She puts her foot on Gunner’s chest and points at Roman. “You two and your comments.”
I turn her chin to me. “Don’t forget giving Holden and me credit. I told him to go get you and kept your mom busy.”
“You fueled the rumors?” She gasps. “I’m going to have to punish you for that.”
“Whatever you say, princess.”
She wrinkles her nose. “My dad used to call me that.”
The guys laugh and I roll my eyes. “So sorry, sweetheart.”
“I need nicknames for you guys. You all have specific ones for me.”
“I like hearing you say my name,” I say gently, brushing her hair from her face. “Makes me like my name a whole lot more.”
“Agreed,” Gunner says. “I’m so over being called “babe’ or “sugar” or “honey bear.” Ugh. It’s just awful after a while.”
“Picky pants.” She kicks his thigh and he gives her a guilty smile.
I like how easy this is. There’s no jealousy, there’s no arguing, just all of us laying around, being lazy despite the formal ware. By midnight, Sophie is half asleep, nodding against my thighs like she can make herself more comfortable.
Holden stands and stretches. “I’m off to bed.”
“No. I’m awake. I promise.” She argues.
Holden chuckles and kisses her. “I’m not, baby. I’ll see you in the morning, promise.”
She gives in, leaving with Roman, and I pat Gunner before heading to bed myself. Our last night in Hawaii and I don’t think I’ll miss it. Not really. Some good came out of all the insanity – we talked about what we needed to – but I miss home. I miss the routine. I miss the expectations.
And I miss getting more time like tonight.