Roman rolls his eyes. Lief smirks. “I’m stuck with these two for the rest of my life no matter what.”
“And there is the added complication of them being brothers,” Nick informs. You’ll get comments about that if you continue the relationship, especially if you make a whole production out of it.”
“That’s true. None of us are related,” Gunner agrees.
I glance to Hunter and he shrugs. “After the reveal at your banquet, I don’t see how we could have more issues.”
“Huh?” Gunner asks.
“Chase has taken over the family business. As of last weekend. Someone with a crush on Valerie decided to out that she’s fucking Lief instead ofjustChase, and we didn’t hide anything. Chase put it all out in the open,” Hunter summarizes. “and Lief’s been keeping the press in check to make sure Valerie’s career isn’t hurt.”
“It doesn’t necessarily get easier after the wedding,” Roman says.
So it wasn’t just the time apart. He does look more exhausted. I drum my fingers on the table. “We all want to marry Valerie.”
Hunter nods in agreement. “Lief even introduced her to his parents. Of course, our father would pull his hair out, but our mother appreciates her.”
“Your mother?” Gunner drops the spoon. “Damn, man, how much have we missed?”
“We’ll catch up over drinks and dinner. Right now, we don’t want Valerie to know what we’re planning.”
“They always find out.” Roman snorts. “Sophie found the ring I bought her in Hawaii the second we got home. Just getting something out of my bag and she found it.”
“You didn’t tell me that.” Nick narrows his eyes. “That you were determined to marry her that long ago.”
“Because she said I had to talk to all of you first. That was her rule. The rest was us.” Roman rolls his eyes. “You three are already on the same page. That’s a step forward.”
“How are you going to do it? Romantic dinner? Whisking her away?”
“We need to wait,” Lief says.
All eyes go to him. He sighs. “I know it won’t be easy, but Valerie has been through a great deal by being with us and she deserves time to enjoy her last semester of school. No wedding plans or stress. Just her getting to be normal.”
Nick looks out the window and Holden clears his throat. “She knows what ... business you’re in?”
“Yes,” I say softly. I have a feeling the other guys don’t know and considering how Hunter has moved their conversation forward, he doesn’t want anyone else to know. “How are you aware of it?”
“I read plenty and I check into plenty of computers.” Holden shrugs. “If anyone can handle it, it’s Valerie, but Lief is right. Not enough normal will kill the relationship.”
“She’s learned to fight. She’s seen too much ... negativity,” I stress the word so he knows I mean death, “already, so I’m not arguing. I just worry about our ... timetable, considering our business.”
He nods once. “Which is understandable. You don’t want to have any regrets.”
“Valerie says that often.” I chuckle.
“Dinner’s ready,” Roman informs us. “Someone want to go get the girls?”
I stand up and walk out onto the balcony. Sophie bounces Link. “So really, tell me about it, Val.”
“It’s going well, Soph. I love them. Honestly. I just wish my mom did. Or that she cared enough about me to see that I’m finally happy. I feel good about myself, about how much I’ve grown, about the men I love.”
“I’m sorry. What about Tristan?”
“He’s taking care of mom and living his own life, but he didn’t say anything negative. He just told me to be careful ... and then he called yesterday.”
That’s news.
“Apparently, my dad has been trying to track me down to see me. Of course, he doesn’t know I changed my last name to Mom’s maiden name, so hopefully, that keeps him busy.”