“Mess with me and you both suffer,” he teases as he retaliates by pushing Wyn with one hand.
We all stop laughing when we realize both sets of parents are watching us. My dad’s gray eyes are filled with wonder like he’s experiencing something he’s been dying to see his whole life and my mom looks downright misty.
Imala excuses herself and hooks her arms in her parents and escorts them into the car. Our dad, 6’4 and just as big as the rest of us, pulls Berke and me into a group hug. After a few tense seconds, Berke relaxes and hugs him back.
Erlander releases us but cups Berke face with both hands. His eyes are now just as watery as my mom’s. I wrap my arm around my weeping mother and hand her a handkerchief.
“How about we give these two a moment, eh?” She nods and hugs me all the way to the limo.
Imala
I arrived to the wedding happier than I imagined that the Hale men were getting along. Now, I’m caught up in shenanigans and can’t keep the grin off my face.
“They would kick us out when shit was getting good,” Esme complains.
“We saw the ceremony. We do not need to see the consummation,” Oran replies as if he’s giving sage advice. He looks to his left and his gray eyes shine with mischief. “Trophy, we have unfinished business with that room.”
Karessa passes me the baby and pulls Oran towards the dressing room. Jagger chuckles and wraps his arms around Ainslee.
“Kinky bastards. Ainslee, how about we get married again so we can do some freaky shit at the altar? Never mind. They’ll think we’re copying.” His whiskey eyes are serious as he searches his brain. “If we did, we’d let people watch. How’s that?”
I miss Ainslee’s response because I glance back at the door when I hear Bambi cry out.
“We’re really missing the good shit now,” Esme whines. “I saw Bowie heading in that direction. Shit is about to get dirty.”
“Dirty? You rang?” Dr. Delgado coos as he appears, his all black ensemble makes him look even more sultry.
“Who invited you?” Esme asks. Her irritation is evident in her voice.
He grabs her chin and runs his thumb over her bottom lip. “Me, myself, and I, chispa.”
Hot damn. That’s Karessa’s lady doctor?
“Are you accepting new patients?” I blurt out before my brain stops me.
His green eyes find me, and when he smiles down at me, I realize Esme is in trouble because I swoon a little.
“Why, sweetheart? You need me?” The way he poses the question with his accented English has Wyn pulling me in the opposite direction.
“She’s good, Don Juan.”
Delgado laughs and shakes his head. “Hale men. I promise you I’m a damn good doctor, Mr. Hale.”
He produces a business card that’s somehow as sexy as he is. It smells good as well.
“What’s wrong? Don’t see enough LeClaire pussy already?” Berke jokes.
Delgado laughs as he strokes his beard. “Why not the trifecta?” He kids with a pat on Wyn's shoulder. Wyn growls. Berke and the good doctor just chuckle. “Loosen up, I’m not after your wife. Plus, if you plan to have children you’ll want me in that room. Don’t let the pretty face fool you.” Delgado emphasizes his statement by tickling the baby in my arms. Then, he grabs Esme’s arm and moves towards the garden. “A word,” he tells her as she drags her feet behind him.
Now, I realize Jagger and Ainslee have also disappeared. The couples are dropping like flies. Wyn kisses me softly but he is called away by his dad. I find a good spot in the corner to catch up on one of my books while my nephew naps in my arms when I notice Berke sitting down next to Mikonos. I giggle at the thought of the two rudest men in the room making it through a conversation.
“Who invited you?” Mikonos grumbles.
“Your brother. Is your memory getting bad, old man?”
Mikonos stuffs his phone in his pocket and folds his arms. “Why in the hell are you sitting next to me?”
“It’s a free country,” Berke responds. “Besides, no one else likes you.”