I nearly choke on the spaghetti at her comment. She pats my back and Gunner narrows his eyes at Valerie. “Look, Val, you’re sweet and all, but you can’t start poisoning her to steal her husbands until after the marriage.”
“As if I want your alcohol-soaked butt.” She laughs.
“Oh, it’s not my butt you said you wanted when we were at the strip club.” He reminds her, pointing his fork at her.
Valerie narrows her eyes. I remember her saying she wanted to see if his dick was big enough to make her like him, then going for his buttons before I got in the way and told her that consent is still a thing.
So she turned her eyes on the strippers, happily rubbing asses, slipping ones, and cheering for the pole dancers. Gunner grins as the silence continues, promising him victory. But then Valerie kisses my neck.
“Should we tell them about that one time in college.”
It’s my turn to go red as I shake my head aggressively and put a roll in her mouth. “No.”
It was a party. Truth or dare and my first girl-on-girl experience. We’d gotten put together for seven minutes of heaven, and we gave it the college try. We didn’t go all the way, hell we didn’t even take off our clothes, but our hands wandered as we made out.
But Gunner would beg for details and that would make me lose my mind. With everything else in my current balancing act, I don’t need my guys wondering about my sexuality. I clear my throat. “So the cake tasting tomorrow.”
Holden arches an eyebrow. “Now I’m curious.”
“I am too.” I continue. “About the different flavors. What do you think we can expect Gunner?”
“More of you avoiding what is clearly going to be a great story.” He smirks. “I think Val finally has something fun to share.”
“Maybe I’ll save it for my maid of honor speech.”
Just like that my face pales. Oh god. Speeches. I forgot all about that. At some weddings, it’s just the parents of the couple, the maid of honor, and the best man. I don’t even know who the best man is. If it’s my dad, and he’s drunk … oh god.
I sit back from my food, not caring that there’s still half a plate there. If Dad suddenly doesn’t approve, he’ll make it clear with the speech. My mom is going to be inappropriate as usual. Which means even if we get Roman’s grandma and all the other families on board, my parents can ruin it within two minutes or less.
“Soph, I’m kidding.” Valerie rubs my back. “I’m not going to embarrass you, I promise. I know how hard the day is going to be when it comes to family stuff.”
“Who’s the best man?” I look between my guys.
They look at one another then all of them look at Massimo. He beams. “I was nominated by popular vote.”
“To be fair, I think he’s the only one that's close to all of us other than Matthew and your Dad.” Holden shrugs.
“Close and like.” Gunner clarifies. “And If Matthew is involved in the wedding directly, Bella might want to be too and we can’t have that.”
I nod slowly and rub the back of my neck. “Speeches.”
“Are a thing.”
“We are only going to allow these two to talk.” I motion to Valerie and Massimo. “I don’t trust my dad and definitely don’t trust my mom.”
“But she’s so much fun.” Nick teases. “Makes me feel young and sexy.” He winks.
“I do that nightly.” I point at him.
He chuckles and Massimo starts to laugh and nearly chokes. Roman hits his back once and he coughs up his food, then continues eating like nothing happened. Of course.
Dinner continues, but by the time we’re done, I’ve been refilled with worries. Even as I lay in bed with Valerie, I just keep thinking.
The cake tasting tomorrow will go well, but we all have to agree on four flavors out of I don’t know how many. Maybe I should just let the guys choose – give them total control over something. Or everything at this point.
I have my dress, what other decision do I need to make.
And Nick has already started on his vows – lucky him – and I have four still to write. Valerie snores and flops over as I get up and stare at my notebook. I’ve started one for each of them, but other than a blanket “I love you” I have no idea what to write.