But the next day brings up more issues. Thankfully, no issues between the guys and exes, but Neal has decided to take his concerns to my dad. Because of course, he has. The asshole. Dad threatens his job and Neal promises that this isn’t over.
Gunner flexes his French at the front desk and then Neal is removed from the property. Gunner waves sarcastically and I kiss his cheek. He wraps an arm around my shoulders. “I’m still mad that I lost the rock-paper-scissors.”
“What do you mean?”
“I wanted to kick him in the balls.” Gunner shrugs. “I’m an old-fashioned man like that. A guy tries to upset my girl and I have to defend her honor.”
I laugh. “Oh, that kind of old-fashioned.”
He grins a wide smile. “The realistically classy kind.”
I giggle and we get back to making sure everyone who is supposed to be here is checked in. The rehearsal dinner which is more of a pre-party is all set up for tomorrow and I think we’re going to make it. We just have to make it through two more nights and one more event.
Gunner grabs my ass, making me jump as he tries to stop his smirk. I swat his chest and he jerks me against him. “Two more nights without you, sweets.”
Oh, the promise in his eyes is going to get me through it just fine because I know exactly what’s waiting for me.
NICK
Itoss and turn in bed. I think this is the longest I’ve gone without sharing a bed with Sophie since that became a normal event. It’s killing me. It felt good calming her down today. It felt good being open and honest about how I feel and having her do the same.
Especially considering where we were. Then all her shark facts, how excited she got when we were talking – so happy and invested that she forgot all about being upset. I smile slightly, then pull out my phone.
I text her quickly, letting her know how hard it is to sleep without her. Her reply is almost instantaneous. She asks why we’re following that rule when we already broke one. She even offers just sleep, no sex, and promises she can control herself, but I have to turn her down, even though it kind of kills me.
Soon enough, I’ll have her in my arms and only have to let her go for work or to share her with the guys. She’ll be happy and won’t have to sleep in her own bed if she doesn’t want to. I text her that and wish her goodnight.
In the morning, we get dressed, and go over a few logistics, including the estimated cost, even though we don’t know how much Sophie’s dress was. As we’re getting into how we will divide everything up since Roman took care of all the deposits, there’s a knock on the door.
I get up and open the door. Miles nods to me. “Nick.”
“Miles.”
“I wanted to ask how much I’m looking at.”
All of us look at him as he snatches the paper from Roman. He nods, pockets it, and starts to head out. I arch an eyebrow. “Excuse us.”
“We aren’t asking you to pay for anything, Miles,” Roman says.
“We can afford it, which you should know since you have access to payroll.” Gunner teases. “Unless you suddenly dropped our pay.” He chuckles.
Miles points at him. “I should since you’re getting sassy.”
Gunner just grins.
“It’s a tradition that I help with the wedding. I’m paying at least half.”
“Take care of the dress and call it good.” Holden barters.
“I pay half or I’m chipping in on the Honeymoon, which means putting money in Sophie’s account whether she uses it or not.” He says. “She’s my only child. I’m not going to get another opportunity to do this.”
“You could pay for a party for you and Diana,” Gunner says easily. “I mean, I’m sure she’d love that.”
“She said no to anything beyond friends.” He waves that away quickly. “I’m serious. Half or …”
“Sophie won’t like having a sudden increase in her account,” I murmur. “Fine, Miles.”
He nods and we look over the paper together. He won’t tell us the price of the dress that he’s already paid for, alterations and all. He clears his throat as he goes over everything and I know it doesn’t have anything to do with the price.