Nick and Gunner burst into laughter. We know there’s no stopping Diana. She’s a force of nature, just like Sophie. Sophie manages to change like the tide, usually gentle and molds those around her, but her mother is a hurricane.
“I’ll set it up, don’t worry.” She kisses Roman’s cheek. “Have some dinner and I’ll take care of it.”
And she does. That Saturday, we have lunch with Diana and Miles at a nice hibachi restaurant. I half think Sophie chose it as a way to avoid any unnecessary yelling or scene making. Miles glowers at us while Diana smiles.
The chef gets to work and Sophie takes my hand tightly, squeezing before lacing our fingers together. “It’s really good to see you both.”
“You’re getting married.” Miles growls. “To four men.”
Well, the chef just missed catching his egg. He clears his throat and goes for it again, this time landing it perfectly. I nod to him in congratulations as Sophie nods. “Of course I am. I can’t marry just one of them. That would be ridiculous.”
I try to hide my smile, especially since Gunner looks like the cat that ate the canary. He’s happy as can be. Nick adjusts his napkin and Roman is … well as even faced as he can manage. Based on his look, this is just another business meeting.
“This entire thing is ridiculous, Sophia. You know that. Otherwise, you would have told me earlier.” Miles growls.
Sophie takes a drink from my wine glass and sets it back down. “Like how you told me about you and Mom getting married in Hawaii after we left?”
I squeeze her hand. We don’t need an all-out argument.
But Diana laughs. “I told you she’d figure it out. I’m happy for you, Sophie. You deserve the best and I think it will take four very strong, sexy, delicious, capable, big …. Men to give it to you.”
Miles fumes silently at that statement. Sophie flashes a smile. “I love them all. It’s that simple. I couldn’t give them up just like I couldn’t give up multiple kidneys. It would mean a lot to me if you werebothat the wedding.”
Her dad takes a long drink from his glass which I’m sure isn’t water and sighs as he rubs his forehead. We’re on dangerous ground and I know it. Miles likes to be in charge. That’s why he’s CEO. He likes things done his way with his input and he hasn’t liked our relationship from the start.
“Tell me again that this isn’t about sex.”
This chef is going to need a tip. Roman clears his throat. “If it was, we wouldn’t have proposed.”
Her mom waves her hand. “Come on, show the ring.”
I slip her resized ring back on her finger and she shows all four of them, filling her hand and making her fingers look twice as delicate. Her mom gushes over the rings, insists on guessing who gave what – she’s wrong except in Nick’s case and then Miles rubs his forehead.
This would be hard enough with a dad that didn’t know us, let alone one that does. One that participated with us and Bella. But that was when Matthew was still in the picture too. Sophie squeezes my hand and tries to focus on the food, taking the veggies as she’s given them.
“Thank you.” She says politely.
The chef looks between us and shakes his head once before focusing entirely on the food. I know, buddy. It’s going to be a long night. Someone bumps into my chair and I jump a little, but Sophie’s hold stays constant, grounding me in place.
“We’re safe.” She promises me.
“So, let’s say I was okay with this, how is it going to work?” Miles caves a fraction.
“Roman’s name is on the marriage license.” Gunner says with a shrug, but Sophie is going to marry us all so we can say vows and make sure that she’s taken care of and that everyone knows we’re in this together.”
“And there’s no overlap, right?” Diana asks. “Like Gunner marrying Roman?”
Gunner nearly spits his drink out. He looks at Roman and takes his hands. “Did you want to ask me too, Row? You know I love you.”
Roman rolls his eyes. “You’re too demanding for me.” He says simply.
Gunner puts his hand to his chest in mock horror. “You love my demanding side!”
“And you drink too much.” Roman barely contains his smirk. “I’m sorry, Gun. We have a lot of fun, I just … I just don’t want to marry you like that.”
Diana laughs and so does Sophie. Gunner chuckles. “Sophie’s the one who’s marrying the four of us. We don’t need any overlapping. Or hurt feelings – by the way.”
Roman rolls his eyes. “I’ll buy you, Hennessy.”