I was grateful for him and this little discussion was bittersweet. This father figure had been more beneficial to me in the past ten minutes than my own father had been in thirty-four years.
I was going to propose to Ava tomorrow and to hell with the consequences.
Declan was right. Now was my time to be truly happy by doing what I wanted to and not what people expected me to.
And what did I want more than anything else? To make Ava officially mine.
Chapter 27
Hugo
Sevenweekslater
“Ava is ready when you are and she looks spectacular.” Ethan announced entering the room I was getting ready in.
“Of course she does, she’s Ava.”
“All the guests are here.”
I nodded, adjusting my bowtie again. “Did they come?” I tried to sound nonchalant.
“No, I’m sorry.”
I turned around. “No, you’re not, and it’s for the best. I don’t want any drama at our wedding.” I frowned, looking at his untucked shirt and crooked bowtie. "Really, Ethan? Can't you even try to dress properly for my wedding?"
“You're getting married in your garden with no more than twenty guests. There is no reason to get your knickers in a twist."
I sighed and moved forward to adjust his bowtie. "Yes, but it's what Ava and I wanted. And you are my best man. Make an effort, would you?"
"You only picked me because you have no friends!" Ethan shrugged dismissively.
"That is only partially true. You are my little brother and I love you," I added seriously as I tugged on my brother's jacket.
Ethan grimaced. "Stop this nonsense now, Hugo. I already agreed, under duress I may add, to be your best man."
I shook my head. "Just try to pretend you like me, at least for a couple of hours?"
Ethan tapped his jacket pocket. "You will hear it in my speech."
I couldn’t help but grimace—there might be drama after all. "I'm not sure how I feel about that."
Ethan grinned mischievously. "Scared?"
"No, merely concerned, but it would take more than that to scare me."
"What are you scared of, then?"
"Not being a good father," I admitted.
“Oh, you will be a terrible father!" He stated it as a fact.
"I knew I could always count on you, brother."
Ethan sighed. "I don't know what you're worried about. You were lucky enough to pick one of the most amazing and loyal women in the world as your child's mother. Ava will be an exceptional mother and she will more than make up for all your shortcomings."
I didn’t miss the envy on my brother's face. I was not a fool. I knew he didn’t have any romantic feelings toward Ava, but whereas I always ignored my loneliness and my lack of connection, Ethan was only too aware of that curse and he was concerned that he would end up alone again.
I gave his lapels one final brush. “Well, I hope she will be fantastic enough to also overcome your shortcomings, because I can predict you will be one hell of a godfather."