Austin, Ford, and Beau are all quiet, staring back at me. Hudson won’t be here on Saturday because there’s no way he’ll be able to get leave on such short notice, but I have a feeling if he was here, he’d be trying to talk me out of it too. They’re all so quiet, I think they’re finally going to shut up about it when they all start talking at once.
I’m about to tell them to shut up when the office door swings open, and Isabella is standing there looking at all of us. Her hair is in waves down her back, and her cheeks faintly pink. She quietly closes the door behind her. “Hey, guys, look I’m sorry to butt in, but if you keep this up, you’re going to wake up your grandmother, and I don’t think any of us want that.”
They all agree, and I watch as Austin starts to walk toward her. Bella bypasses him and walks over to me. It’s instinct to hold my hand out to her, and she takes it before turning next to me and facing my brothers. She’s nervous. I know she is. And even though her voice shakes a little, she doesn’t stop until she gets everything she wants to say out. “I appreciate... we appreciate that you guys want to look out for us. We know this is fast and maybe a little over the top, but after seeing your grandmother today when we told her the news, there’s no way I can even think that we’re making the wrong decision about this.”
Ford takes a step toward us. “Issi, honey, you don’t have to do this.”
She pulls back her shoulders, and I slide my arm around her waist, pulling her closer to my side. I start to open my mouth, but she puts her hand to my chest. “Ford, Beau, Austin, all of you have been like big brothers to me, and I know you’re just looking out for me. I know what this is. Lucas needs to do this for his grandmother, and after today, I see why it’s so important to him. Now we’re getting married with or without you there, but I’m telling you, all three of you had better be there because you will not only let down Lucas and me, you will devastate your grandmother. I will sign a prenup. I don’t want anything from this marriage. Whatever he comes into it with, he’s leaving with.”
Beau pushes his glasses up on his head and holds up a finger. “Actually, Issi, it’s only right you get paid something for your time–”
I mutter, “Fuck, here we go.” I was on the receiving end the last time money was offered, and it wasn’t pretty. I can already feel Bella tense next to me, and I try to soothe her by running my palm up and down her back.
Bella holds up her hand. “No, Beau. I don’t want anything. She was my grandmother’s best friend. She has been to every big event in my life, and after my grandmother passed, she continued to do so. She didn’t have to do that. She... she’s all I have left. I can’t do anything else for Lottie, so please let me do this.”
She’s pleading with them. They all see it, and now so do I. I knew that my grandmother was important to her, but now I understand exactly how important. No one is going to argue with her. If they try, I’m going to kick them out.
Finally, Ford steps forward and hugs her, but I don’t let her go. The other two take their turn, and through it all, I hold on to Bella.
Ford lifts his eyes to mine. “What do we need to do for Saturday? Whatever you need... we’ll do it.”
“I just need you in a black suit and to be here for the wedding with smiles on your faces. The story is that we’ve been dating for months if anyone mentions this is too fast, but honestly, it’s just going to be us on Saturday.”
Ford nods and looks at Beau and Austin before turning to me. “You got it. We’ll be here... all smiles.”
“I’m going to walk them out. Stay here for a minute, will you?”
Bella looks surprised but agrees.
I walk my brothers out, and Ford hangs back. I’m hoping he’s not going to try and talk me out of it in private. I’ve had enough for the night.
Honestly, I just want to get back inside with Bella. “All right, Ford, what is it? What do you have to say?”
He puts his hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “I just want to say that I see how you are with Issi.” He shakes his hand in front of his face. “I mean, we all know how she feels about you, but tonight... I saw how you wanted to protect her–”