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“What are you talking about? You’re together. After everything the world has thrown at you, nothing has come between y’all. I’d say you’re the winners.” We weave in and out of people leaving work and head to meet Aiden and Damon for dinner. I bust out laughing when she starts singing “We Are The Champions” by Queen. People stare as she belts out the song. The only thing I can do is smile and shrug. She drags out the last line about champions. The sound of clapping behind us sends us into a fit of laughter. “Look for me on Broadway,” Syd yells out.
“You’re nuts,” I say in between giggles.
When we walk into the restaurant, the heady smell of curry greets us. My mouth waters as I inhale the smell of lemon grass and ginger. I’ve never been so thankful to breathe again. We’re meeting the guys at my favorite Thai restaurant.
“Hey there, Soon-to-be Mrs. Roberts,” Aiden says as he stands and draws me into his chest. His lips graze mine. They’re cool to the touch with the taste of beer still lingering on them.
“Y’all been waiting long?” I ask, looking down at the empty beer glasses.
“About twenty minutes. We had a long day and needed beer. In fact, we need more…” He eyes the place for our waitress.
“Hey, shorty,” I hear Damon say to Syd. I look over and he kisses her. It’s a funny sight. She’s standing next to him while he’s still sitting, and she’s only a couple inches taller than him.
“Let’s not talk about short stuff,” she says, pulling back. “I don’t want to embarrass you.”
“Woman,” he growls and pulls her onto his lap. “You weren’t complaining last night about it being short. In fact, you were having a little trouble—”
Syd gasps and puts her hand over his mouth as he mumbles the rest. “Nobody needs to hear the rest of that sentence,” she says, blushing.
That is for damn sure.
He licks her hand and she squeals, moving it away right before he pulls her in for a kiss. My heart is happy seeing them together. I can’t believe they have been together for almost seven months. They’re starting to talk about moving in together. Syd and I have always dreamed of our kids growing up together like we did. I think about all the stages in our lives that we’ve been through together, and I can’t wait to move on to the next one with her by my side.
“What’s on your mind, sweetheart?” Aiden whispers in my ear. I look over at him and I grin. He sweeps my hair behind my ear.
“Just thinking about how happy I am.”
“You don’t know how much I love hearing that.”
“Are y’all ready for our Vegas weekend?” Syd jumps out of Damon’s lap and sits in the chair next to him.
“I still can’t believe we’re all going,” Damon complains. “I mean, this is supposed to be your last night of debauchery before getting married. It’s not supposed to be done together. That defeats the whole purpose.”
“I don’t need a night of debauchery with the boys. The only person I want to debauch is this woman right here.” Aiden yanks my chair closer to him then playfully pulls my hair back to bite my neck. I push him away, shaking my head and laughing. Aiden was very adamant that he didn’t need a bachelor party. I didn’t care to have a bachelorette party either. Syd and Damon weren’t happy about that, so we compromised. We all go to Las Vegas at the same time. We’re going to start our night out apart and end it together. Everyone in the wedding party is going except for Ryan and Macie. Her doctors don’t want her traveling, and he’s being a supportive husband by staying with her.
***
“Vegas, here we come,” Sydney says as we walk through the hangar. The sun shines bright once we emerge from the shadows, so we both pull our sunglasses down from the top of our heads. We’ve yet to see anyone else other than Aiden and Damon. Katie is meeting us there because she’s flying in from Florida.
“Hey, beautiful ladies,” a southern voice purrs from behind us. We stop and turn as Ryker walks up to us. He plants himself in between Syd and me and wraps both arms around our shoulders as we continue walking toward the plane. “You both ready for some wild fun?”
“See? This isn’t fair,” Sydney whines. “You guys are going to get VIP treatment everywhere because of you.” Syd pokes Ryker in the ribs.
He shrugs a shoulder. “It’s not my fault people love me.” I roll my eyes. How is it I used to have a fan-crush on him? I thought Aiden was an egotistical ass when I met him, but Ryker…he’s in a whole new category. I can’t help but laugh. He tightens his hold around my neck. “What are you laughing at?”
“They must love you for your humbleness,” I say sarcastically.
“They love me for more than that,” he says, winking at me.
“How about you not talk about your dick when you have my fiancée in your arms,” Aiden barks from the top of the stairs. Ryker’s head falls back as he laughs.
“I’d screw with you a little on this one,” Ryker jokes, looking up at Aiden, “but I have a feeling you’d really kick my ass.”
Aiden smirks. “Try me, brother.”
“Nah. I’m good keeping my front teeth. I have this smile insured.” He flashes a shit-eating grin.
I lean over and look at Sydney, laughing. I knew it. His trademark smile is notorious for getting him out of trouble—or into trouble, depending how you look at it. Ryker lets go of me, and I walk up the stairs, wrapping my arm around Aiden’s waist. I stand on my toes and bring my lips to his, biting his bottom lip. My jealous man, what am I going to do with you? He growls against my lip.
